Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a blockbuster family film based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel of the same name. Directed by Tim Burton, the film is a funny and copious take on the 1964 novel, which revolved around Charlie Buck and Willy Wonka. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the second adaptation on the book, the first being “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, a film that released in 1971.

Starring Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore as Wonka and Charlie respectively, the film hit the theatres on July 15, 2005 and went on to become an instant hit. The story revolves around Charlie Bucket, a young boy who comes from a poor family consisting of his parents and grandparents. The boy Charlie loves having chocolates, but unfortunately cannot afford many. The other lead character is Willy Wonka, the enigmatic owner of the world’s most famous chocolate company in the vicinity of Charlie’s house. The film begins with the scene of a gloved hand putting five golden tickets into five bars of chocolates. The aim of this is to select five lucky children for a tour inside the chocolate factory, and select an heir for Wonka. Willy Wonka makes a public announcement stating this. Charlie’s birthday arrives soon after this announcement, and he receives the only piece of customary chocolate that is gifted to him every year.

An excited Charlie unwraps the chocolate hoping to find a golden ticket, however he is disappointed. His grandpa Joe gives him some additional money for buying another chocolate, but once again, Charlie does not find the golden ticket. Then, Charlie finds a ten-dollar bill in the snow, and decides to buy a chocolate bar. This time, lady luck smiles on him, and he finds the golden ticket. He initially wants to sell the ticket, but keeps it on the insistence of his grandpa. They visit the chocolate factory along with four other children. During the tour, the other children who have found the golden tickets are too tempted to do something wrong under influence of a typical behavioral trait, and are eliminated one by one. This entire comedy of errors leaves behind Charlie and Wonka expresses his desire to hand over the factory to him, but on a condition that Charlie would leave his family. Charlie gives great importance to his family and hence refuses the offer. Some days pass and Charlie’s family is shown living contently, with Charlie working as a shoeshine boy. Wonka realizes the importance of family, and with the help of Charlie, gets reunited with his father, handing over the factory to Charlie.

With some great performances, and actual full size sets designed by Alex McDowell, this film proves to be a visual stunner. The wonderful soundtrack of the film adds to its appeal. Needless to say, the film became a runaway success right after its release, and left a strong impact on audiences of all age groups. Owing to its unmatched popularity, the film was nominated for the famous Academy Awards. Wikipedia

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