Lessons from Wonka by the Ent. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch
Movie: Wonka
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy, Musical
Length: 1 hr. 56 mins.
Age suggested: 6 and up
Release Date: December 15th, 2023
Warnings: This movie could be very triggering for some adopted/foster children, see below for more info. There is abuse and neglect. There is also a large fire in the film.
Quick Wonka Summary
Based on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we get the beginnings of Wonka. Willy Wonka is a young man who is setting off on his journey to start selling chocolates. When he falls on hard times, he finds himself indentured and must find a way to earn his freedom and the freedom of some new found friends.
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Wonka Review
This is one of those movies that when I first heard about it, i didn’t see the appeal. As it got closer and we got more info, I became slightly more open minded, but still wasn’t excited. This movie was actually very well done and enjoyable while filling out the backstory of one of the most beloved Dahl characters!
The plot is relatively straight forward but had more emotional depth than I had expected. Wonka is set on fulfilling his other’s dream in hopes of seeing her again. This leads him to many obstacles, but also introduces him to many new friends. A big highlight of this movie to me was the soundtrack. Although not every song was a hit, there was some very solid songs in there. Also, Pure Imagination musically plays throughout the film and has a fun re-purposing by the end of the movie (the lyrics and music are the same, but has a different meaning).
The cast was very fun although there were times of clunkiness/cheesiness, but it still fits pretty well all things considered. Chalamet does a good job at portraying that odd energy that Wonka is known for, but without the darkness/intensity of the original.
One thing that I can’t get out of my mind is the fact that this movie ends with Wonka surrounded by friends and opening up his new chocolate factory. Also, Charlie and the Chocolate factory starts with the fact that Wonka had fired all his employees due to people trying to steal his recipe. Between the ending of Wonka and the beginning of the classic, there seems to be even more tragedy in place as all these friends don’t seem to be in his life anymore.
Continue reading for our Lessons from Wonka
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A Note of Adoptive/Foster Parents
There are two subplots in this movie that may be triggering for some adoptive/foster children. The first is Wonka’s story. He is focused on opening a chocolate shop because his mother told him that when he succeeds she will be with him. Wonka intellectually knows that she has died from a disease, but still holds on to the belief that she might show up. After an opening, she does not show up, which wrecked his whole belief system. By the end, when he opens her chocolate, he does see her, but as someone passes, she disappears. This is still a touching moment despite him knowing she is still gone.
The other story is about Noodles. When we get introduced to Noodles, her caretakers describes her as having “orphan syndrome” which made her “believe in conspiracies.” Wonka does believe this, but a conversation with Noodles later makes him drop this belief. While under the care of Mrs. Scrubitt, Noodles is physically abused and experiences much neglect. Near the end of the movie, we learn that Noodles’ mother asked for help and instead of helping her, the villain dumps her into a laundry chute and tells the mother that she died. During one of the last scenes of the movie, Wonka helps Noodle find her mother and they are happily reunited.
All of this was handled relatively well as the people doing the abuse and neglect are clearly shown as the villains of the film, but it still may be triggering or difficult for children who have either experienced these sorts of events or have disappointments regarding bio-family not showing up as expected. Or triggering for those who have experienced, first or second hand, abuse and neglect. The language used is also harsh and old school.
Continue reading for our Lessons from Wonka
Favorite Wonka Quotes
I got nothing to offer but my chocolate and a hatful of dreams.
A good chocolate should be simple and not complicated
If you think the chocolate is weird, you’re going to hate what happens next
I focus my studies almost exclusively on chocolate
Took me in out of the goodness of their hearts and then charged me for it.
Were having chocolate of course. How do you like it? Dark? White? Nutty? Absolutely insane?
But the real magic came from her
Every good thing in this world started with a dream. So, you hold on to yours.
For a moment, life doesn’t seem quite so bad. And for a moment, I kind of forgot to be sad
Tremendous things are in store both literally and metaphorically
I just wanted it to feel like it did when I was a kid.
Judgment has come in the most unexpected of ways
-Wonka Quotes
Lessons from Wonka
Lesson #1: Hard Work Pays Off
Throughout the entire film, Wonka hits obstacle after obstacle, but pretty much always pushes through with hard work and the encouragement from his friends. By the end, this does show to have paid off because of his persistence and hard work.
Lesson #2: You Should Follow Dreams
The opening song talks about how Wonka only has a small amount of money and a hatful of dreams. Though his dream developed and changed a bit throughout the movie, he was still insistent on chasing them. More importantly, he also helped his friends follow and fulfill there dreams, sometimes even at a detriment to himself.
Lesson #3: The People Around us is More Important than the Things
during the climax of the movie, Wonka finally opens the chocolate he got from his mother and inside it that said “It’s not the chocolate that matters. It’s the people you share it with.” This is followed by one of the sweetest moments of the movie as Wonka breaks up his mother’s chocolate bar and shares it with his friends that he made throughout the movie.
Wonka Discussion Questions
Themes to Discuss: Following your dreams, Potential, Overcoming obstacles, Persistence
- Who was your favorite character from Wonka and why?
- How was Wonka different from the beginning to the end of the movie? If you’ve seen Charlie and Chocolate Factory, what are the differences between the Wonka in each movie?
- Which song did you like the most and why?
- Why was Wonka trying to fulfill his dreams? How does this change throughout the movie?
- If you were told to follow your dreams, what does that look like to you?
Thanks for reading out Lessons from Wonka!
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