Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
I was really surprised by how much
I liked this film. Johnny Depp totally made it work.
Tim Burton has a big hand in its success as well,
sure but it is Depp who really plugs in and rocks
here. We aren't expecting such a cute, sweet and hilarious
character here. We expect something more dark and
sinister. Depp removes nearly all the chills from
the original performance by Gene Wilder, returns the
original sweetness of the characters from the novel
and provides us with a witty and amusing Willy Wonka
who never fails to tickle our funny bone with his
fluffy yet exceedingly inappropriate remarks.
And what about this Freddie Highmore
kid. He is everything he showed us he could be in
"Finding Neverland" and so much more. He's a delightful
young man and his innocence and exuberance seep over
into his performance making him seem the most admirable
and highbrow young actor to grave the silver screen
since Freddie Bartholomew. Screw Haley Joel Osment,
this kid is cute as a bug! If Highmore and Depp don't
do a version of "Captains Courageous" directed by
Wolfgang Peterson, it will be the cinematic tragedy
of our generation.
And there's no reason to say anymore.
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is one hundred
times better than we ever expect it to be. Burton
is the perfect choice for director, of course, and
he does not disappoint. But it is Depp's quirkiness
juxtaposed against Highmore's well-behaved innocence
that really makes this version of the story soar.
Notes:
Viewed in Pflugerville in July 2005
with my friend Melissa, her husband Robert and his
cutie kid brother Alex.
