Timothee Chalamet, Johnny Depp, and Gene Wilder. What do these three actors have in common? They’ve all played the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka. Each of these actors has an interesting take on the character, and my personal favorite is Gene Wilder. I find his fun-loving demeanor much more appealing than Depp’s emo (and clinically insane?) disposition, and since Chalamet was just released this year, it can’t quite be considered a comfort movie yet. Thus, for the purpose of this post, I will be analyzing the 1971 version with Gene Wilder.
Something that I’ve come to notice about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is how utterly crazy the movie is. For example: the whole idea of Wonka is a little deranged; the man kidnapped a tribe of people, forced them to work in exchange for cocoa beans, AND created elaborate traps for children to fall victim to. Yet, somehow, everyone respects and admires this man, while also overlooking the fact he’s committed multiple crimes. On the topic of crimes, another interesting piece of information is that in the book the movie is based on, all the dangerous foods present in the movies were tested on the Oompa Loompas, killing several. It’s a little weird in retrospect. Anyways, let’s get analyzing.
One of the things this movie does really well is imaginative imagery. It’s what Wonka’s all about; finding and exciting that child within with all sorts of crazy concepts. From the room where you can eat everything, to sodas that make you float, this movie is an exploration of childhood fantasies. The vibrant colors and outlandish rooms make the movie fun to watch because you can marvel at the intricacies and wish it were real. I don’t know about ya’ll but I desperately wanted to take a bite out of those candy mushrooms when I first watched it, and I still do. Willy Wonka facilitates a continued childlike wonder that’s able to reach any age.
Furthermore, the gags of a girl turning into a blueberry or a boy getting stuck in a chocolate tube are so ridiculous they’re absolutely hilarious. Especially combined with the fact that the movie has us rooting for bad things to happen to the kids, it’s satisfying (but not morally correct of course) to watch these kids get what they deserve comically. Ultimately what I think makes this movie so appealing 50 years later is the realization of its absurdity. I don’t think I could’ve enjoyed this movie as much as I do if I only watched it as a child, but now I can laugh at how much of a fever dream it really was.