The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Right now you can watch The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus on Amazon Prime Video and Starz Amazon Channel — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Christopher Plummer's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

There is a reason The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus keeps coming up in conversation. What makes The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. After a carnival troupe saves his life, a man agrees to help its immortal leader collect five souls and win a bet with the devil. Christopher Plummer and Lily Cole lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2009. What separates The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus fits the bill. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Watch for Christopher Plummer in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.