Unfortunately on August 29th, 2016, we lost a very talented and brilliant actor – Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder is legendary, and his acting style and quirkiness will be missed a lot. My first introduction to him and his acting was at a very young age, when I was introduced to the wonderful, highly imaginative film – Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. Just a lovely film that is timeless and will always be a wonderful watch and story.
The story is of course about a young boy named Charlie who receives a golden ticket to a factory, where he meets an odd Chocolateer by the name of Willy Wonka and an adventure being your imagination ensues in the walls of the factory.
The book was written by Roald Dahl, you’ve probably heard of him, he’s written so many different stories including The Big Friendly Giant (Or BFG…which depending on context means something entirely different…I’m pointing at you DOOM). Anyways, he was also the writer of the screenplay for the film. It was also directed by Mel Stuart, i’ve never really heard of him, and haven’t seen any of his other movies. But his direction in Willy Wonka is brilliant. He created a timeless story, that always brings a smile to your face and a hunger to your belly. Yeah… don’t watch this if you’re hungry, I recommend a chocolatey snack or some other food before watching. Caution, you’ve been warned.
The soundtrack and music is wonderful, if you’re ever around me for long enough in real life you’ll probably hear me sing a couple of bars of the songs. They’re just so catchy and well done.
I’m not going to say that the other actors weren’t important, but I would like to focus on Gene Wilder, the portrayer of Willy Wonka. He was a quirky mad man, who was just brilliant. Even if he’s super odd in this movie, you can’t help but love him. I think this is his best role. He was also brilliant in many Mel Brook’s films such as The Producers(1967), Blazing Saddles(1974), and Young Frankenstein(1974). I will need to revisit these films as its been a few years since I’ve seen it, but when I hear the name Gene Wilder, Pure Imagination automatically pops into my head and I think of him dressed as Willy Wonka. Did I also mention that he’s a great singer? because damn can he ever sing.
I wanted to keep this brief because it was so sudden when he passed, but I felt like I should write a blurb about him and this movie because I grew up with it when I was very young, and even maybe 20 years-ish later, I still watch it often.
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory gets a 5/5 from me, even with the snobby brat, good for nothing kids.
Its very sad that we lost someone as legendary as Gene Wilder, but his legend will carry on and his memory will live on through his vast filmography that we can revisit when we want to see an old friend.
RIP Gene Wilder (June 11, 1933-August 29th, 2016) Now you’re living in a world of pure imagination.
-Andrew
One reply on “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971) – In Honour/Flashback Review”
You forgot to mentions Gene Wilder’s greatest contribution to the film itself. He would only sign to do the film under one condition. The introduction of Willy Wonka had to be his way. The playful somersault as Gene put it “made it so that the audience wouldn’t be able to tell if he, (Wonka) was lying or not.”