A Review by Phil Calabro
1971, Warner Brothers, Dir. Mel Stuart – Starring Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole, Leonard Stone, Denise Nickerson, Nora Denney, Paris Themmen, Ursula Reit, Michael Bollner, Diana Sowle, Aubrey Woods, David Battley, Gunter Meisner
At the time that I'm writing this review, I am 18 years old. The first time I watched 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' was in third grade, where we had just finished reading Roald Dahl's book and decided to press on with the movie. I was enamoured by the delicious looking sets, the silliness of Wonka, and a little freaked out by the Oompa Loompas. About a decade has passed, and the same warm feeling returned to my face after rewatching it last night. There's no reason to be ashamed at this fact, because beneath all of the sugar and spice of this marvel, there's nothing but pure imagination – and anyone can tell you that imagination is a universal notion, it's just a different interpretation. This is classic Americana – the little bouncing jig of those Oompa Loompas, the songs, the candy – and it will continue to stay this way. There is no doubt in my mind that is one of the greatest children's films ever created, and one of the greatest fantasties ever unraveled in the world of film. Its magical characters, lavish design, and whimsical dialogue has transformed a potentially ordinary movie into an unforgettable masterpiece.
Willy Wonka (Wilder) is an eccentric recluse candy maker located in London, whose factories have been locked down due to the infiltration of several other candy spies who want to steal his precious formulas. But after a long sabbatical from the public, Wonka decides to hold a contest – he will hide five golden tickets in five Wonka bars all across the globe, and the winners are allowed to enter his factory for a once-in-a-lifetime tour. Amongst all this chaos is poor Charlie (Ostrum), an impoverished boy who lived with his mother and grandparents in a little shack outside of London. His hopes of getting a golden ticket seems slim, but when luck comes around the corner, he finds himself with a winning candy bar. He brings him Grandpa Joe with him for the tour, as they are accompanied by a group of spoiled and bratty children such as Veruca Salt (Cole, as a spoiled cold-hearted little turd), Augustus Gloop (Bollner, a German heavyweight), Mike Teevee (Themmen, a TV addict), and Violet Beauregarde (Nickerson, a gum-chewing loudmouth). As each of the bratty children have their own particular pratfalls, they are eliminated from the contest for Wonka's secret grand prize.
I couldn't imagine watching this movie without Gene Wilder in the title role. Not only is this Wilder's greatest character on screen (some may argue that Leo Bloom is, I just think that's bull), but this is one of the best adaptations of a fictional character in film. Using his past comedic skills along with David Seltzer's quotable screenplay, Wilder makes this is a role to remember. His role doesn't require giving away any stories about Wonka's origin (although the remake has concocted one), so we can still visual the candymaker as a child in a man's body. He's never afraid to skip, to sing, to dance, to whistle, and to eat a lot of candy – it's every child's dream father. To give the movie a comical edge, Wilder even exhibits some cynical nature into the character that left me in stitches the second time around. Jack Albertson is jolly and happy in the movie, and gives an optimistic push to the entire movie. Whenever the going gets rough, he comes in to lighten the mood. Peter Ostrum, although convincing as the book's protagonist, isn't as incredible as some of the other child actors – nor is he given much time to create chemistry with Wilder. Julie Dawn Cole is hysterical as the bratty little Veruca Salt, an unforgettable role.
The sets of 'Willy Wonka' are enough to make your mouth water and brain tingle at the same time. The song 'Pure Imagination' is the capstone in the entire movie – just a wild, lanky man with a children's whim and the desire to spread happiness in his own special way, through candy. Wilder sings with an effervescent nonchalantness, almost haunting in a way, but just lets our minds simmer on the idea of making what you want out of life. Wonka's example of the edible candy playlands is just a simplistic metaphor, one that spurs delight from the audience and leaves them with a touching idea. Every time I hear the song, a smile is stuck upon my face – it's just magic in the making. Everything that Wonka has created – the glass elevator, the candy machines, the candy itself – is so unrealistic, but the movie takes it so seriously regardless. Why else? To prove that anything is possible if you put your mind to it – and you're not swayed by personal faults in the process, unlike the four brats who met their untimely demises.
'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' is one of film's greatest inspired treasures, a movie with limitless boundaries and timeless memories. Its music, its performances, and its demeanor allows the audience to enjoy everything wholeheartedly. It'll give a whole new perspective of the way you look at life – 'if you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.'
