By Emma Dognin
Paul King’s prequel of Ronald Dahl’s Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, Wonka follows the beginning of Willy Wonka’s chocolatier career. Wonka is a Timothée Chalamet-ifed ode to chocolate. Chocolate serves as a unifier between characters, good and bad — the one thing they all have in common is a love of chocolate.
The film is enjoyable for all audiences, while children can enjoy the whimsicalness and the musical numbers — older audiences can explore the films social commentary and complex relationships with managing grief.
The film falls into an increasingly more popular theme of musicals in disguise as movies. Truly adding to the magic and fun of the film!
Timothée Chalamet’s approach on Willy Wonka has a more boyish and innocent feel in comparison to other portrayals of him such as Johnny Depp’s version. Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka is youthful and ambitious with big dreams of being the biggest chocolatier. Willy Wonka is manic in bursts as opposed to being boarding on unstable as he is in other adaptions. Wonka possesses a child-like personality — with his obsession with sweets and chocolates and closest friend being with an actual kid. He is sweet & kind and takes on a passion for chocolate to live up to his deceased mother's dream.
Throughout the film we see how a group of misfits come together to make chocolate. All while being attempted at being stopped by three jealous chocolatiers and a corrupt police officer, who is open to bribery…. that is in chocolate! Also, we see how Willy Wonka became the iconic character he portrays in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Overall, the film follows the origin of Willy Wonka in a touching and heartfelt manner, leaving those of us who have a sweet tooth with a craving for chocolate. (You might want to buy a bar at the snack stand on your way in!)