I'm processing this film. I could sort of tell you some of the plot, but what I took away from my first screening of it was more the emotions, and some of the dream logic, of the piece. And I left the theater feeling a gentle sadness. Probably an effect of it being Heath Ledger's last film; as it's a film with death-like moments, and someone who left the world terribly early is prominent within it, the precariousness of life is really especially palpable here. It's felt. As is the wistfulness of long life, which in Imaginarium ain't all it's cracked up to be, either (Christopher Plummer as the titular character often looks marrow-deep exhausted). And also felt is sex appeal: this is the most honestly sexy film Terry Gilliam's made in an age. I'm a little speechless at Lily Cole, who has A LOT to do here, but to say what she does in the film might give away big spoilers. I won't do that. But she is a vision. Many will fall into crushes on her thanks to this film.
There's much going on in Imaginarium, too much for me to process or discuss tonight, especially after only one viewing. I'll see when I can see it again. Gilliam films, even to as huge a fan of his as me, can feel vaguely formless on first viewing, because they tend not to be structured like many other films and it can take a while to feel and understand the rhythms of the storytelling. This was that first viewing. There will be more to see when I see it again.
This entry needs to end, and I need to reach bed and reach sleep. But the "too long; didn't read" version of my review: Wow.
