Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Often times, it's quite easy to understand what makes a motion picture absolutely wonderful because the formula to making a good film is simple, you need quality to be present in every important facet of the movie. You get a great script, pair it with a thoughtful and visionary director and some top notch acting and lo and behold, you are left with a film that withstands the test of time and is beloved by all.

But, there are exceptions to that rule. Sometimes there are films that offer up a weak script, or a merely adequate director and performances and yet they just so happen to steal our hearts when we settle in to watch it. They ignite something special within all of us and regardless of the motion picture's flaws, we always remember the story and the adventure fondly and always manage to smile when we find it on television or pop it into our DVD player and one such film that qualifies into this category, is Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Now I did just say that this movie falls under that 'flawed' category, and I stand by that. Because when you think about the story from a technical aspect, it certainly has its issues. The script is wonky at times, shifting back and forth from being a fantasy style film to a musical, to even a drama. Some of the performances are over the top, and while it seems as though we are headed into negative territory in this review, that's simply not the case. Because I also made mention of the fact that films like this, find their way into our hearts, and this one does because at its core...Willy Wonka is a unique adventure that touches us all because it manages to encapsulate the wonder of a child's imagination and in the process take us back to our childhood. 

---

In a way, this film literally recreates our childhood because it portrays exactly how we were as children, all over the place, filled with manic joy that moves us from moment to moment with glee and that's where the film sucks us in. We relate to Charlie, and some elements of the nastier kids taking the tour with him, because we all knew a Veruca Salt or Augustus Gloop back in the day and their fates give us a certain sense of satisfaction that they got theirs when some of the punks we knew back then did not. But outside of bringing our youth back to life...little in this film would have worked without a powerful actor to keep the film grounded in a sense of reality and purpose, and well...this film has that in Gene Wilder and his incredible performance. 

In fact, Wilder is what makes the film so wonderful. His portrayal of the mysterious chocolatier serves as the bridge for the audience since one moment he can be a great big kid cavorting around his own factory before snapping into adult mode and helping us learn a valuable lesson about life and how we should conduct ourselves and his role as conductor of a mortal themed ride is subtle to say the least since he lets the Oompah Loompahs handle the heavy handed stuff. But what truly sticks with us about his performance, is the fact that it is completely genuine. It almost seems as though Gene Wilder the actor disappears in this story, and all that remains is Wonka and the endearing moments he brings us, along with beautiful quotes left and right that leave you thinking are why this film reaches us on an intimate level. We've all shared those moments with our father, or mother, or uncle/aunt or grandfather/grandmother and it warms our heart to relive those tender memories in our special way. 

Either way, this film will no doubt stand as one of the finest performances Gene Wilder ever turned in, and now that he has passed on, it makes this movie all the more important once again, if only to see a gifted actor in action as he turned a wild and off the wall character into a thoughtful and powerful man who only wants to bring out the best in people...if they so choose; and when you combine that performance with the incredible visuals this film has to offer...well this is simply a rare treat. That one of a kind perfect storm of creativity and wonder, that will sadly never come again. If by chance you haven't seen this one, do it as soon as you can and for those of us that have seen it, well it's high time to watch it once again to relish in all the magic this film provides us with...and to relish in the joy that the late Gene Wilder brought into our lives. 

---