Wonka (2023) Movie Drinking Game
Raise a Toast: to the magic of Wonka’s confections- One bite of which not only brings hearts together, but can build up one’s self confidence, too, and is even a one stop solution for balding men and Sphynx cat alike!
Bite into a ‘Wonka’s Big Night Out’ chocolate (a precursor to liqueur chocolate): for each ‘double huh’ moment
Bite into a ‘Wonka’s Big Night Out’ chocolate: each time Wonka pronounces ‘of course’ as o’course (he’s half-Irish, o’course!)
Bite into a ‘Wonka’s Big Night Out’ chocolate: every time a character starts levitating/defying the laws of gravity (this includes the anxiety-inducing scene of Noodle and Wonka breaking into a jig and cartwheeling across the length of a glass rooftop)
By: Vidal D’costa (Two Beers) –
Armed with a multi purpose cane and a hat with more storage space than the TARDIS, a young but not so street smart Willy Wonka waltzes into the big city, brimming with ambitions of giving wings to his childhood dream by opening a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Unfortunately for Wonka, he’s down to his last sovereign, and his troubles only double when the local and very corrupt chocolate cartel run by a highly questionable trio of martini glass-swirling boomers dressed in tweed who go by the monikers of Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelgruber catch a whiff of their competition.
A Toast
Having grown up with a shelf quite literally overflowing with the source material by Roald Dahl and also on the first big screen adaptation starring Gene Wilder which I savoured the old-fashioned way (cough, VHS!), the tale of this bizarre albeit passionate fictional chocolatier and the story behind his exceptional creations have always captivated me. And right off the bat, ‘Wonka’ manages to hit all the the right buttons for this gleeful fangirl- As even a twirl of a cane, the mere imagery of Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka biting into an edible teacup much like Wilder’s Wonka (hopefully the former’s prop cup was made out of fondant instead of wax!) and the sublime opening notes of ‘Pure Imagination’ trickling into the opening credits and later in the background score of Wonka’s sidekick Noodle’s stirring backstory, prove to be endlessly stimulating, thus not only igniting those cherished childhood memories but also transporting me to simpler times.
And as a twenty-something now, I must admit that aside from acting as a faithful prequel and origins story for its beloved titular character, I also resonated with its young lead who much like every millennial/Gen Z bumbles along exactly like a deer caught in the headlights, yet is keen on persevering through backfires, saboteurs, and the imminent fear of fizzling out. Due to its simplistic core plot of an underdog armed with the raw concept for an initially small start-up going head to head with a big corporation that’s hell-bent on suppressing his ideas, one can even consider it as a how-to guide for budding entrepreneurs and freshmen/ graduates alike on surviving in a society or economy that’s predominantly run by corrupt bureaucrats and conniving innkeepers, while also offering a lesson or two on taming and milking a giraffe (who knows when that might come in handy, eh?). And it does so without sugar coating too much… ok fine, Maybe with just a wee bit of sugar coating!
The narrative and storytelling in Wonka is also anything but mild or vanilla, with some portions that are darker than dark chocolate- ranging from the sinister lighting in the “Sweet Tooth” number featuring the dreaded cartel encircling a gluttonous cop and bribing him to ‘take out’ their rival narrowly beating out the unblinking gaze of Gene Wilder in the unnerving boat ride sequence (I highly advise against watching either scene whilst on a flight, especially once the lights darken, in order to avoid a bad case of claustrophobia and the heebie jeebies), to a scene involving Wonka undergoing waterboarding at the hands of the same cop!
There’s a seat reserved at the table for fans of the 1971 film as well as the Tim Burton adaptation with subtle nods/Easter eggs/meta jokes to both, which are enough to spoil one for choice. The set design is also a treat for sore eyes, with the alluring interior of Wonka’s newly opened debut candy shop catching one’s attention first and foremost.
Timothée Chalamet sinks his teeth into the lead role as a less brooding and more whimsical Wonka, who is also quick to grasp business acumen on the go despite an exterior that initially screams airhead/himbo. The young actor further enlivens this character by occasionally borrowing traits from his predecessor- one of which is Wilder’s iconic wild-eyed gaze without going overboard with the same, while simultaneously sprinkling in a spirited old world charm and thus striking a balance between earnest goofball and proper mad scientist. Props to him for also pulling off even the most awkward, goofy choreography with gusto and theatre-kid energy!
Calah Lane keeps up with co-star Chalamet as the knowledgeable orphan Noodle who reigns in an over-ambitious Wonka with her harsh reality bites but is also complicit in his shenanigans and furthermore responsible for teaching the illiterate young chocolatier to read. The duo’s sibling-esque relationship is both warm and saccharine, particularly with Wonka feeling akin to a big brother to Noodle. Hugh Grant is another Golden Ticket casting choice as he brings his quintessential salty diva energy to Lofty the Oompa Loompa, and thankfully, his screen time is extended beyond just a usually side-lined/mute character, with Lofty featuring prominently in a speaking role complete with Grant’s wise cracks… even devising plans and literally ‘winging’ stunts to save the day! As a self-confessed Bridget Jones fangirl, I also couldn’t help but think of Lofty as a miniature and slightly more manipulative version of Daniel Cleaver… with green hair.
Olivia Colman and Tom Davis are a hoot as the horrid twosome, Wonka’s landlady Mrs. Scrubbit, who is no stranger to arm-twisting, and her willing accomplice Bleacher respectively, and if the occasion does arise, this duo should promptly also be cast as the lead pair in a big screen adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’. As if such stellar names aren’t enough, then wait, there’s more…. with Taskmaster alumnus Phil Wang and his sweet dance moves, Rowan Atkinson as a hot ‘Judas’ priest, and Charlotte Richie of Ghosts fame all rounding up the ensemble with their cameos (in Atkinson’s case, an extended cameo. Also I’m only going to answer all my important phone calls with ‘hello, pulpit’ henceforth!).
Lastly, its soundtrack is comprised of hummable tracks, such as “Scrub Scrub” that can easily be sung to oneself while doing/avoiding the household chores, and many others that reveal backstories or interesting plot points, and are also catchy enough for viewers to sing along to without even knowing the lyrics beforehand! Speaking of lyrics, the songwriting pays fond homage to the late Dahl’s penchant for nonsensical wordplay, too. Furthermore, the manner in which the songs are married to their respective scenarios are equally memorable- beginning with its opening composition “A Hatful Of Dreams”, perfectly encapsulating a day in the life of the broke but buzzing and starry eyed millennial lost in a strange new city, to “A World Of Your Own” which instantly launches audiences into an escapist fantasy, while coming across as a spiritual successor to “The Candy Man” opening number from the 1971 film, particularly in terms of staging, choreography, and the added inclusion of grown-ups invited to partake in the merrymaking and infinite gumball showers- all of which not only induces some more nostalgia but simultaneously acts as a celebration of Wonka’s newfound family in a strange new city. And of course, it caps off with a classic rendition of “Pure Imagination” that stays true to its roots.
However, it’s the soothing duet between Noodle and Wonka, “For A Moment” that takes the cake for me, as it cements the importance of that special someone who looks out for you. The background score is also wonderfully detailed- an instance being the incorporation of the classic Oompa Loompa tune that creeps up and then rises to a crescendo as viewers are introduced to the forever scheming but well-meaning Lofty.
Beer Two
Keegan Michael-Key’s role as the local cop for hire is unfortunately reduced to the butt of a few too many fat jokes at his expense, which could have been avoided and leave behind a bad after-taste in an otherwise positive and wholesome venture.
Verdict
Overall, this origins story is certainly a lip-smacking addition to the ‘Wonka-Verse’ and one which stays with you long after the end credits roll, particularly if you’ve been a fan since the start. To quote from one of its big escapist musical numbers- “You’ve never had chocolate like this!”
