The popular Willy Wonka is back. The character created by Roald Dahl has captured the hearts and minds of young boys and girls all over the world for ages. Now, an origin story on the popular character of Willy Wonka has surely intrigued people from all age groups. After having a successful run at theatres, the film has now hit the OTT platforms. It has been winning awards at various award shows and that has created a buzz around the film even more.
‘Wonka’: Story
With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. In a twisted turn of fate, he gets caught up by an evil woman and is forced to do menial work at her residence. He soon finds out that many others have been conned by this evil woman and her accomplice. Now Willi Wonka takes it upon himself to not just free all the ones caught up by the evil woman, but also take the help of this bunch of people and stand up against the greedy chocolatiers.
‘Wonka’: Performances
Timothée Chalamet holds the entire film on his shoulders. He is there in pretty much 90 per cent of the screen space, and he does exceedingly well. Not only has he managed to get the physicality of Willy Wonka right, but he has also got the innocence of the character aptly.
Keegan-Michael Key is hilarious, to say the least. He has carried the character of an overweight police officer with so much bodily humour that it makes you guffaw.
Olivia Colman gives another astounding performance. She is an icon when it comes to facial comedy and bodily humour, and she proves that once again. In a character that’s not too long, she does exceedingly well once again to make you laugh your wits out.
Hugh Grant comes up with his uncanny antics and tries to elicit laughter. The short stature that he plays adds up to his theatrics. However, it would have been wonderful to see more of his character onscreen, as the character is very likeable.
Rowan Atkinson in a blink-and-miss performance is good.
The rest of the supporting cast adds weight to the film with their performances. However, there is nothing to stand out about those characters.
‘Wonka’: Script, Direction & Technical Aspects
The music of ‘Wonka’ is the best part of the film. The songs by Neil Hannon are so apt and fit the film so perfectly. The songs give the necessary depth to the story and help to extend the story further along so beautifully. Not to forget Joby Talbot’s score which gives you constantly the perfect emotional vibe. The score is so touching that towards the end not just kids, but even adults would feel their eyes getting moist.
Talking of ‘Wonka’s writing, the best part about Simon Farnaby and Paul King’s screenplay is that they’ve written it keeping in mind the tastes of kids. In India barely there are films made just for kids. It used to happen in the last century in the early days of television, but not anymore. ‘Wonka’s writers have created characters and presented them in a way that engulfs a child’s imagination. They’ve written it so well that not only will kids like it, but even adults who’re watching it along will start getting engrossed in it eventually.
Paul King’s direction helps bring out such unique characters that you’ll start loving the presentation, even as an adult. The way Olivia Colman or Keegan-Michael Key’s characters have been given a space to perform their antics to the level of craziness makes you start having an affinity with them. Also, what musicals usually do is that they tend to have the entire story in the songs, which hardly leaves much of a dialogue banter amidst the characters. Thankfully Paul King hasn’t taken that route and has given audiences the best of both worlds. He has managed to give songs wherever possible but also has not let the narrative get overpowered by it.
Chung Chung-hoon’s cinematography is another high point for the film. The exquisite and outlandish sets make you live your fantasy world like never before. Chung Chung-hoon’s filming makes you live in that fictional world of dreams. Kids would be thrilled to see the usage of so many colours and hues. Even adults would be able to re-live childhood fantasies. Not to forget the brilliant long takes for the songs! Those are the takes which showcase Chung Chung-hoon’s talent even more prominently behind the camera.
Mark Everson’s editing is also good. Considering it’s a musical and can start getting a bit boring, he has managed to keep it crisp and not exceed the 2-hour mark.
‘Wonka’: Cast & Crew
Director: Paul King
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant
Available On: BookMyShow Stream
Duration: 1 Hour 56 Minutes
‘Wonka’: Can Kids Watch It?
Yes
Outlook’s Verdict
In India, we’ve stopped making the kind of kids’ films that used to come in the 1980s and 1990s. Hollywood still keeps churning out films for kids every year, and ‘Wonka’ is definitely one of the best when you look at the last few months. ‘Wonka’ takes your kids on a fantasy ride and, as an adult, makes you relive those memories of childhood. Timothée Chalamet is a treat to watch, and that’s not just for his good looks. Olivia Colman and Keegan-Michael Key are hilarious with their brand of physical comedy. Overall, it’s a Breezy One Time Watch. I am going with 3.5 stars.
