Audiences expecting the powerhouse duo of Johny Depp and Heath Ledger, were disappointed with “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”

British director Terry Gilliam, famous for his screenplay for the Monty Python series, met with difficulties early in production, when Ledger passed away during the filming of the “Dark Knight” last year.

The reorganization of the plot to fill holes left by Ledger’s untimely death changed the direction of the movie to include Collin Farrell and Jude Law. Depp, who was advertised as a lead actor, saw only ten minutes of the silver screen.

The tale follows Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) as he makes a series of poor wagers with the devil (Tom Waits), which leads to one final bet for his daughter’s soul and the introduction of a mysterious character, Tony Shepherd (Heath Ledger), a charity organizer who has lost his memory.

Critics of this blockbuster gone aloof ought to remember that a wrench was thrown into the original storyline, when Ledger passed away. Gilliam brings an all-star cast to fill the shoes of Ledger. Jude Law struggles to match the eccentric persona developed by his peers, but Depp and Farrell shine as two of three “faces” of the film’s antagonist in the imaginarium – a mirror that takes visitors into the mind of Doctor Parnassus.

Though a visual masterpiece, the feature struggles to develop a connection between the tormented doctor and the audience. The acting fails to deliver on what is a creative story.

Gilliam begins a fanciful fairy tale, but loses his audience as characters are developed. It’s hard to tell who is the center of attention. The background of Tony Shepherd remains a mystery after curtain falls. It is a shame that Ledger was not able to finish his standout performance in a film that was, otherwise, forgettable.

Model-turned-actress Lily Cole fails spectacularly in delivering a genuine performance, as Valentina. Cole’s lines are forced and her facial expressions regularly do not match what she is saying. Percy (Verne Troyer), the doctor’s assistant, seems to read lines from a teleprompter, as he lacks emotional appeal.

“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is a collage of jumbled, inspiring storyboards. Monique Prudhomme, costume designer, knocks it out of the ballpark, with truly uncanny outfits that set scenes better than the narrative.

I would recommend “The Imaginarium of Dr. Pernaccus” it for its entertainment value, chalk-full of sets that spring from the imagination of Gilliam, but do not expect much in the department of acting.