I've started dancing now. Once we've started, we can't stop.
Continuing my trip up The Guardian's top 50 films of 2023
#34 : Wonka
Charming prequel to Roald Dahl’s celebrated chocolate-focused kids story, with Timothée Chalamet immensely likable as the youthful version of the top-hatted sweetmaker.
This is the first film on the list so far that I've seen (once again, there are only two on the whole list) - this was actually a family trip out to the cinema (the wonderful Odyssey in St Albans). I thought it would be diverting enough but I can't say my expectations were particularly high for it (probably because I don't overly care for either of the previous Wonka related films).
You know what though? It comfortably sailed over any expectations I might have had - The Guardian is quite correct when it describes it as "charming". We follow Wonka (Timothée Chalomet) as he tries to establish himself as a chocolatier in the face of a chocolate cartel (Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Simon Boynton). Much complication and peril stands in his way, but I don't think it will exactly surprise anyone to hear that things work out OK for him in the end - and a very enjoyable and good-looking journey it is too.
I did have concerns that Timothée might have overdone the saccharine vibes but he's dialled it down nicely - he's written as more of a wide-eyed innocent and he plays it well. He's very ably assisted by Calah Lane as Noodle (an orphan in possession of a very complicated back-story) - I wasn't previously aware of her (she was only 14 after all) but she was in This Is Us if you've seen that. The cartel have a blast hamming it - they're well written Dahl villains, as are Scrubbit (Olivia Colman) and Bleacher (Tom Davis) who are also both well over-the-top. As is, of course, Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa - the man has been picking his roles very well recently.
As well as featuring some top notch acting, the film also looks absolutely beautiful - it's very effects heavy, most of which are completely unrealistic but they still fit nicely within the context of the film so you totally buy into it. All in all, it's a well built world which makes for a very immersive experience.
Parts of the film were shot in St Albans and, in a nice touch, a short film was shown beforehand which was a message from the director Paul King which had been specially recorded for the Odyssey and gave us hints as to bits we might notice - it's fair to say that most of it was very well hidden by CGI, but the gatehouse down by the abbey was the one thing that stood out for me (for all of three seconds). It's interesting to compare how little of the film was shot in St Albans with the length of time the film crew were in the area for - it helps you understand how it's such an expensive business.
One other observation that came to me was there are strong Paddington 2 vibes throughout the film - they share the same writing team and both have a charming hero experiencing imprisonment which require him to team up with a group of misfits and potential drowning incidents are narrowly avoided. And, of course, both films feature Hugh Grant stealing the show with a tremendously hammy performance.
No, this film isn't go to be for everyone but if you're looking for some good-looking, harmless family entertainment then there are far worse options available to you out there and it feels like it has enough for quite a wide age range of children - neither of our two complained about it! It's currently not streaming anywhere but if you're tempted then you can rent or buy it in all the usual locations.
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