Wonka

A musical with enough emotion that makes it a sentimental family film.

Wonka overcomes some obvious weaknesses with some fine acting and a plot that will keep you glued to the screen. Timothée Chalamet plays Willy Wonka, a young man trying to start a chocolate factory. He has little money and is inspired by his late, loving mother (Sally Hawkins).

The movie serves as a prequel to the earlier films. Wonka falls under the control of Mrs. Scrubbit, an evil innkeeper played in an unrecognizable role by Oscar winner Olivia Coleman. She has tricked several people into becoming her servants with lifelong contracts.

Wonka is inspired by a number of his fellow inmates to break out of poverty. Let me just name Calah Lane as Noodle and Hugh Grant as the midget Lofty. Grant is charming as an Oompa Loompa and he overcomes his initial desire to see Wonka die at sea to help him achieve his dreams.

Ms. Lane’s Noodle is an orphan captive that becomes a friend and ally of Wonka. They encourage each other to follow Wonka’s mother’s inspiring motivation to follow their dreams. It will bring a tear to your eye as you watch Ms. Hawkins, a deceased Mom, blow a kiss to her son near the end of the film.

There are some nasty thugs played by Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas and Paterson Joseph who control all business in Wonka’s new city. Helped by a nasty priest (Rowan Atkinson), they are willing to kill Wonka if he continues to find a way to make and sell his chocolates.

This is the conflict that you watch develop. Giving nothing away you will be relieved to learn that the good guys prevail as the bad guys are held accountable.

Let me close by noting that Wonka rewards his friends by giving them a piece of a chocolate bar that his mother gave him to inspire hope. You leave the theatre with a smile, feeling that you were able to consume one remaining piece.