'Wonka' Review: A Whimsical, Chocolate-Covered Treat For The Holidays
Timothee Chalamet steps into the hat of the iconic chocolate maker in wonka, a prequel that manages to charm and warm your heart in equal measure.
Unlike Tim Burton’s re-imagining of the beloved children’s story, Wonka is set years before the man ever opened his chocolate factory and formed the mystique that would make him such a fascinating figure. Audiences see the character’s humble beginnings as he struggles to make money and jumpstart his career, meeting some colorful and even sinister individuals along the way.
After Gene Wilder’s revered portrayal of the character in the original film, Chalamet had some daunting shoes to fill here. However, he proves to be more than up to the task, delivering perhaps the most charming performance of his career. While the actor has certainly proven his chops in many dramas and action films, it’s refreshing to see him play a character that appears to be the antithesis of his usual choices. Chalamet is able to channel the warm, earnest, wild, and wacky characteristics of Willy wonderfully, never veering too heavily into the latter, preventing him from becoming a caricature. There are just enough nods to Wilder’s portrayal that keep his spirit alive without Chalamet’s performance becoming imitation. He’s not only great in the film’s tender moments, but proves his dancing and singing talents as well throughout. Simply put, he was the perfect choice to play a younger version of the candy maker.
Wonka is helmed by director Paul King, who is coming in hot off the successes of the Paddington films. His family-friendly, lively visual approach helps the film soar and maintain a whimsical, quirky tone that is befitting of the Wonka name. The musical sequences are fun, catchy and engaging, in addition to being well-staged and shot. The production design and King’s vision work in perfect harmony to make this world feel lived-in, but also extraordinary. Never for a second does King not have a firm grasp on tone, resulting in an exciting, breezy experience that flies by.
The film also wears its heart confidently on its sleeve, never becoming overly sappy or melodramatic. The central relationship between Willy and Noodle (Calah Lane) is the beating heart of the film, Chalamet and Lane showcasing fantastic chemistry with one another. Speaking of chemistry, casting Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa was definitely a gamble, but it pays off here, Grant imbuing the figure with his classic dry, sardonic wit, lighting up the screen with Chalamet whenever their paths cross. The film also does an effective job fleshing out just enough of Wonka’s backstory where the audience learns about his past, but not too much where the mystique of the character is eroded. His backstory focuses on the heartwarming relationship he had with his late mother (Sally Hawkins), the woman who inspired his dream of selling chocolate to the masses.
However, the film isn’t without its shortcomings. While the musical numbers are catchy and visually creative, there are far too many of them. Yes, the film is a musical but if there were more scenes driven by the narrative and less by the music, the film could’ve been far more engaging. There are several occasions where an unnecessary musical number takes place that registers as more of a distraction than a delight. In addition, the supporting characters of the film are rather thin, likable yes, but barely resonate and seem more to exist to service the mechanics of the story and not the film overall. Also, the film utterly wastes Rowan Atkinson, a comedic tour de force, which is an unspeakable crime that should never be committed again.
While there are countless heavy-hitting dramas hitting theaters this holiday season vying for Oscar attention, it’s refreshing to see a fun, vibrant musical like Wonka released that just wants to entertain and put a smile on audiences’ faces. It may not be perfect, but King and Chalamet have crafted a prequel that not only is able to stand on its own two feet, but enhance the original film in the process as well. It’s a tasty, decadent treat that will bring plenty of smiles to the whole family.