wonka. Timothée Chalamet, in the unforgettable role of Gene WIlder.
It is not necessary to have seen even one of the three versions of “Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, nor one of the two Paddington Bear films, to enjoy “Wonka”, a nice world premiere fantasy inspired by Roald’s famous character. Dahl. It is not necessary, but it is still recommended. For the moment, let’s say that “Wonka” recounts the youthful and excited beginnings of a chocolate magician towards the beginning of the 20th century, and that its director is Paul King, the same one from “Paddington”, that is, an artist of the films for the whole family, the kind that people see with affection and fascination, feeling better, and feeling that the world could be better. It is, right there on the screen, although to do that you first have to put the bad guys in their place.
The story is simple. Young Willy Wonka has just traveled the seven seas for seven years. He brings in his hat everything necessary to set up a confectionery like no other. But the strong businessmen in the sector reject this new competition. Furthermore, the unfortunate man falls into the hands of a couple of exploiters. Only his ingenuity, his optimistic spirit, and other unfortunates, will be able to help him. So far, what we can tell. Let the public be surprised and rejoiced without warning. Just be warned that there are several very unmemorable musical numbers. Nothing is perfect. In compensation, the hand of first-class technicians is noticeable in all areas, and none other than Olivia Colman (in the role of the evil innkeeper), Rowan Atkinson, that is, Mr. Bean (corrupt parish priest) is discovered behind the makeup. , Sally Hawkins (the mother, a pity she barely appears) and other good and well-known English actors, among them Hugh Grant, former leading man of romantic comedies, now not only behind the makeup, but inside a jar, tiny, big-headed, colorful and grouped: it’s an Oompa Loompa, the first that Wonka sees in his life, and he almost steals the film from the protagonists, the rising Timothée Chalamet and Calah Lane.
Chalamet makes an enthusiastic, idealistic, feisty Wonka. Young. He understands himself. This is a kind of prequel to “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” There we already saw an aged man, with an acidic spirit and sad thoughts, despite his powers and his sweetness. He was played by Gene Wilder, unforgettable, and Johnny Depp, more bitter. The third version is more lively: it is with Tom & Jerry, 2017, based on an old Hanna & Barbera script. And there is a short film out there, “Willy Wonka and the Cocaine Factory”, but that already belongs to another category.
P.S.
“Wonka” (GB-USA, 2023); Dir.: P. King. Int.: T. Chalamet, C. Lane, H. Grant, O. Colman.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
