A film by Heath Ledger and friends...
and thats how the film will probably be remembered.
The latest film by visionary director Terry Gilliam could easily of been left on the scrap heap. Not many films endure the death of a lead actor during filming and still go on to complete it. and according to Gilliam this was (almost) no exception. Heath Ledgers untimely death rocked all the cast and left Gilliam mourning the death of his friend and his film.
After a rethink (and a re-write) it was decided that with the help of some friends(not bad when your friends are Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farell) they would complete it as an epitaph to ledger
So the burning question is does it work? well funnily enough yes. I guess fantasy is the only medium where they could easily get away with it without it feeling contrived.
As for the film itself, it is visually stunning, often abstract and very Gilliam. There are great performances from Christopher Plummer, Andrew Garfield and Lily Cole. And Verne Troyer adds some good comic relief.
The film isnt perfect, but what film is. I think the movie stands as a remarkable achievement considering the tragic circumstances around it, and although not Ledger greatest performance. The films as a whole, finished by his friends who gave their fees to a fund for his daughter, is a worthy tribute to one of the finest young actors who died too young!!!
well worth a watch
4/5
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