Timothée Chalamet Brings Pure Imagination As Beloved Chocolate Maker In ‘Wonka’

The origins of the most famous fictional chocolatier are explored in “Wonka” with Timothée Chalamet taking on the titular role. Directed by Paul King and written by King and Simon Farnaby, “Wonka” is based on the Willy Wonka character created by British author Roald Dahl in 1964 and is “an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor” as it depicts how the “world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker” came to be.

“Wonka” came to theaters on December 15 with mixed reviews but one main consensus was universal, Timothée illuminated the screen as young Willy Wonka. Timmy Tim had twelve silver sovereigns and a dream and delivered when it came to making the role his own. In the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” Gene Wilder brilliantly played the title character. Gene did so well as Wonka it’s really hard to see anyone else step into those shoes. Johnny Depp tried in the 2005 film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I didn’t hate Johnny’s Wonka, but again Gene reigns supreme.

What Timothée did with Wonka I think was along the lines of Gene’s performance. It was whimsical yet endearing as the story in his film followed the beginning of Wonka’s journey to his infamous factory. Willy travels to a city renowned for its chocolate with Prodnose (Matt Lucas), Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton), and Slugworth (Paterson Joseph) being the big names in the chocolate industry with the Chief-of-Police (Keegan-Michael Key) in their pocket preventing anyone from getting in the way of that.

Down to his last dollar with hopes of opening his own chocolate shop, Willy is tricked into a contract with Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman) and Bleacher (Tom Davis) leaving him to work off debt with others who are in his situation like Noodle (Calah Lane), Lottie Bell (Rakhee Thakrar), Piper Benz (Natasha Rothwell), Larry Chucklesworth (Rich Fulcher), and Abacus Crunch ( Jim Carter). Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant also play key roles in the movies.

The music of the Willy Wonka world is just as iconic as the acting performances themselves. Since “Wonka” is an origin tale many of the songs from the film are unfamiliar to the audience. The film opened with “A Hatful of Dreams” with Timothée belting about plans to open a gourmet chocolate shop. This Wonka does more singing and dancing than the ones before him. Timmy sang seven songs in “Wonka” including a rendition of the beloved “Pure Imagination.” Is Timmy Tim taking home any Grammys anytime soon for his singing? No, but his voice served its purpose for the film and I loved his version of “Pure Imagination.” It was perfectly placed in the film and the scene was magical. Timothée is truly the reason why this movie works. He made it bearable and enjoyable to watch. Keegan-Michael Key also had stand-out moments for me and got the biggest laughs outside of Chalamet.

The best parts of “Wonka” happen when we get a glimpse of Willy’s talents because that’s the mystical part of the movie. If you go into “Wonka” with an open mind viewing the story for what it is then you’ll enjoy the film. Don’t go in hoping to see anything like you’ve seen before of the “Wonka” world and be sure to open your pure imagination.

“Wonka” is now playing in theaters.

Did you check out “Wonka” yet? How did you think Timothée Chalamet did as a young Willy Wonka? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures