I can’t remember when exactly I’ve been craving to watch The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, but I know it has been a while. Maybe it was the result of not having any particularly good or bad reviews, plus the curiosity to see how the producers managed to complete the film after the passing of one of the lead actors. I must say the change of characters were seamless and would seem very intentional.

The plot is not too haphazard and the dreamlike fantasy state is beautiful, but not a completely new idea. It feels familiar somehow, like a mixture of Moulin Rouge! and Charlie and the chocolate factory.

Though this movie will be particularly significant as I particularly chose it to be the first filmed I watched alone (ever!) in my 25 years of living, though I didn’t expect to actually watch this film totally alone! I was hoping for another enthusiast, at least : ) but I was somewhat prepared. After all, it is Johor Bahru (and I don’t think it is to the taste of most English appreciating movie goer) plus it was 1pm in the afternoon, on a week day. But all in all, it was a magical experience a fantasy like two hours, in my own private screening.