History YMMV / TheImaginariumOfDoctorParnassus

* FunnyAneurysmMoment:

-->"Don't believe everything you read. Especially ''The Mirror''."

* CompleteMonster: [[WouldHurtAChild Anthony "Tony" Shepard]] is a [[BitchInSheepsClothing charming man]] rescued from a mob lynching by Doctor Parnassus's troupe. Claiming to suffer from memory loss, Tony keeps his past as an abusive head of an international head of a children's charity hidden from the troupe while swindling their clients. Outed in the mind-reading Imaginarium for his misdeeds, Tony is also revealed to have used the children he "rescued" for a massive [[OrganTheft organ trafficking]] operation, his crimes so disgusting [[{{Satan}} Mr. Nick]] himself [[EvenEvilHasStandards insists on claiming his soul for Hell]].

* CompleteMonster: [[WouldHurtAChild Anthony "Tony" Shepard]] is a [[BitchInSheepsClothing charming man]] rescued from a mob lynching by Doctor Parnassus's troupe. Claiming to suffer from memory loss, Tony keeps his past as an abusive head of an international head of a children's charity hidden from the troupe while swindling their clients. Outed in the mind-reading Imaginarium for his misdeeds, Tony is also revealed to have used the children he "rescued" for a massive [[OrganTheft organ trafficking]] operation, his crimes so disgusting TheDevil himself [[EvenEvilHasStandards insists on claiming his soul for Hell]].

** Tony is introduced hanging from a bridge; unfunny now that Heath Ledger is really dead. Just hearing this line from Tony (although he's Depp in this scene) seals the deal:
-->"Nothing is permanent, not even death."
** A bit more subtle, but still there; the song "We Are The Children of the World" which is sung at [[spoiler: Tony's fundraiser near the end]] is a satirical slash at the song "Music/WeAreTheWorld", which was co-written and performed by Music/MichaelJackson. Not in the best taste given the pop star's death prior to the film's release, though given what's since been brought up regarding his life and career, the joke is easier to stomach.

* HarsherInHindsight: The first time we see Heath, he's pretending to be dead. While he never actually dies on screen [[spoiler: his character does]].

* FridgeBrilliance: Why is it Tony changes every time he goes into the mirror? As noted below, the real reason is because Creator/HeathLedger died prior to completing the movie, [[spoiler:but there's an in-story justification as well: Tony's a liar and a con artist, so his appearance keeps changing to match the situation. Foreshadowed by the drunk in the beginning]].
* FridgeHorror: Valentina [[spoiler:has sex with Tony in the Imaginarium -- which is "facilitated" by Dr. Parnassus. He doesn't seem to always know what happens inside the Imaginarium, but it's still squicky. Basically, she has sex ''inside her father's head'']].

* MisaimedFandom: The song "Children of the World" was Gilliam's stab and parody at Michael Jackson's song "We Are the World", but eventually won an award to Gilliam's chagrin.

* NightmareFuel: Music/TomWaits's computer-animated face on a giant computer-animated cobra. Pleasant dreams.

* SoOKItsAverage: A rare positive example - several critics praised Gilliam for being able to salvage a good, if not great, movie despite Ledger's death, a situation where most directors would have given up... which in itself makes the movie a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome for Creator/TerryGilliam.

* RetroactiveRecognition: [[Creator/AndrewGarfield Anton]] is [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan Spider-Man]]! And [[Creator/GwendolineChristie one of the shoppers]] is [[Series/GameOfThrones Brienne of Tarth]] and [[Franchise/StarWars Captain Phasma]]!

** A bit more subtle, but still there; the song "We Are The Children of the World" which is sung at [[spoiler: Tony's fundraiser near the end]] is a satirical slash at the song "Music/WeAreTheWorld", which was co-written and performed by Music/MichaelJackson. This didn't come off as much in good taste given the pop star's death prior to the film's release.

* MagnificentBastard: Mr. Nick naturally, being Satan.
** Say whatever you like about Tony Shepherd but the man certainly knows how to swing a crowd!

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Tony is introduced hanging from a bridge; unfunny now that Heath Ledger is really dead. Just hearing this line from Tony (although he's Depp in this scene) seals the deal:

* SoOKItsAverage: A rare positive example - several critics praised Gilliam for being able to salvage a good, if not great, movie despite Ledger's death, a situation where most directors would have given up... which in itself makes the movie a CrowningMomentOfAwesome for Creator/TerryGilliam.

** ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs: {{Faust}} on acid.

* MarySue: Arguably, Tony, but [[spoiler: deconstructed once his back-story appears]].

* SheReallyCanAct: Lily Cole actually plays Valentina very convincingly. Usually models aren't known for being actors, but she's a model who can act.

* RetroactiveRecognition: [[Creator/AndrewGarfield Anton]] is [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan Spider-Man]]!

* {{Squick}}: Despite sixteen being the age of consent in the UK, some viewers might be a tad uncomfortable with the much older Tony wooing [[spoiler:and eventually sleeping with]] a teenage girl. True, Creator/LilyCole was 21 at the time of filming, but the in-context cradle robbery is still intact.

** ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs: {{Faust}}.

** In this film, Creator/ColinFarrell and Creator/JohnnyDepp play the same character, which they would do again in [[spoiler:''Film/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem'']].

** A bit more subtle, but still there; the song "We Are The Children of the World" which is sung at [[spoiler: Tony's fundraiser near the end]] is a satirical slash at the song "Music/WeAreTheWorld", which was co-written and performed by Music/MichaelJackson. This didn't come off as much in good taste given the pop star's death prior to the film's release. TheReveal doesn't help, since [[spoiler: Jackson's charity work may have covered monstrous activities too]].

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: This movie was released the same time as ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' and the commercials proved that it was just too weird for Non-Gilliam fans.

* NightmareFuel: Music/TomWaits 's computer-animated face on a giant computer-animated cobra. Pleasant dreams.
* RetroactiveRecognition: Anton is the new Film/SpiderMan1!

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* SheReallyCanAct: Lily Cole actually plays Valentina very convincingly.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Anton is the new Film/SpiderMan!