Review of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) by Valentin A — 20 Aug 2014

I have no idea if the children's book present such a powerful note of unconscious darkness, but in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory I saw a story about the retribution of your sins and vices, a story about natural selection, and finally, a story about an excentric and brilliant sociopath who chooses to test humanity's soul by murdering 4 future "bad-eggs" children and rewarding one good child. If you think about it, Willy Wonka, masterfully played by Wilder, might just be the villain here.

Ultimately, even though the adventure of Charlie Bucket has a few plot holes, the magic of the film covers them with no reserves and no shame. The most frightening aspect of this odd-ball film is the contrast between its forever light and colorful tone and the social darkness it emerges us into.

While still watchable and enjoyable for children, Willy Wonka represents the social perfectly masked social satire Hollywood had always lacked before.