“Every good thing in this world started with a dream. So you hold on to yours”
We have all heard this notable tune, “ A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” unless you have been living under a rock or a pumpkin carriage presumably. We all are born dreamers, imagining magical escapades to lands untouched by time or reality. That is until life comes crashing into us at full force sweeping us off our feet and into a routine of monotony. The dreamer in us, that little child who believed everything and anything was possible is soon lulled to a sombre sleep.
Reigniting that lost spark of creativity and amazement may take one a lifetime to overcome. Luckily for our main protagonist, he just happens to need a little push or a 4-mile swim in the frigid waters of the ocean. Wonka (2023) is a musical fantasy that is helmed by Paul King with the screenplay woven by him and Simon Farnaby. The film serves as an introduction to the eccentric yet affable character who has tickled our sweet tooth with his gregarious charms.
With a hat full of dreams and a suitcase that hones all his ingenious chocolate-making tools, young Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet) sets out to be the greatest chocolatier that the world has ever seen. But his naive and idealistic nature leads him to be trapped in a soapy/murky contract with a laundromat owner Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman) who preys on his illiteracy and puts him right to work. Within the confines of the laundry room, he is acquainted with fellow travellers who suffer the same fate. He soon finds a confidante and develops a rapport with Noodle (Calah Lane), an orphan whose debt to the owner refrains her from leaving. He promises her a better life in exchange for her participation and willingness to help him succeed.
Additionally, he encounters his fair share of salty lumps along the way in the form of Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Gerald Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Felix Ficklegruber (Mathew Baynton) - three monopolistic chocolatiers who have banded together to form the Chocolate Cartel. Soliciting the help of the Police Chief (Keegan Michael Key), our bitter antagonists want nothing more than to prevent Wonka from opening his chocolate shop.
Decked with songs sung by the characters in every fortunate or untoward situation, the film manages to paint the whimsical and jolly nature of its innovative chocolatier. Dressed up in a colourful ensemble amidst the drab and dreary colours, Chalamet manages to portray Wonka’s childlike wonder and innocence. He is an idealist at heart who has relied on the kindness of strangers to get through life. He does not conform to rules well. His shop is unlike any other brick-and-mortar store, instead, he transforms it into a vibrant, vivid and exuberant wonderland filled with everything edible.
Being the passionately creative person that he is, Wonka wants to bring light and laughter into people's lives through his chocolates. After all, he affirms the same by saying, “Chocolate should be uncomplicated”.
However, my biggest bone of contention with King is the underutilisation of Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Grant. Two of the finest actors whose comic timing is simply impeccable and lovable. Introducing Grant’s character, the “orange man with green hair”, as the Oompa Loompa during the latter half of the film feels disappointing. He banters excellently with Chalamet through his dry wit and sarcastic retorts. His presence earlier in the musical would have allowed his role to shine better and build a more natural rapport with his soon-to-be enterprising master. Despite the limited screen time given to Atkinson, he manages to provide humorous undertones as a priest who regularly indulges in sweet temptations.
The music by Joby Talbot and Neil Hannon is peppered with moments of utter despair, despondence or delight. They provide the viewers with insights into the different personalities present on screen, be it scramming for giraffe milk at midnight or learning to read from scratch. One does wonder what could have possibly triggered Wonka’s transformation to an embittered man who despises children since his younger counterpart exudes charisma; whilst Johnny Depp’s and Gene Wilder’s iconic portrayals of the character felt fey and sardonic.
The film feels like a warm hug, one that makes you aware of the gentle thrumming that comes from a place nestled between your ribcage. You are meant to suspend disbelief and instead welcome the confounding yet delectable world of Willy Wonka after all, your inner child knows that in a perfect world, life is meant to be everlastingly sweet.
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