20 for 2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

What do you do if mid way through production your lead actor dies prematurely?

Some people would close the production as a mark of respect, others would use a body double or CGI to finish the part, if your Terry Gilliam (no stranger to troubled shoots) you call in Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to play different versions of the same character in parrallel realities.

And he might just pull it off.



This is certainly an odd film to envision. The plot, pure Gilliam, involves immortal travelling entertainers, virginal beauties and the Devil himself.



I think it is safe to say that the only reason I want to see this film is to witness Heath Ledger's last performance. This truly great actor, whose passing just under a year ago was both shocking and saddening for all, has had a tremendous swansong in The Dark Knight. That enormous performance will likely win him a posthumus oscar next month. With The Imaginarium we will see another aspect of what cinema has lost.