Film Review: WONKA (2023): A Fine Supporting Cast Overshadows Timothée Chalamet in a Cute Holiday Movie Prequel

Wonka Review

Wonka (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Paul King, written by Simon Farnaby, Paul King and Roald Dahl and starring Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane, Sally Hawkins, Paterson Joseph, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Simon Farnaby, Matthew Baynton, Matt Lucas, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Rakhee Thakrar, Natasha Rothwell, Colin O’Brien, Tracy Ifeachor and Rich Fulcher.

Timothée Chalamet had some pretty big shoes to fill in playing Willy Wonka. His turn comes right on the heels of two fine performances from Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp who were far superior playing the part. As a younger Wonka, Chalamet clearly has some delightful moments in director Paul King’s Wonka. It’s just that in seeing Chalamet’s dramatic screen work, this role seems a bit undernourished for the actor who strutted his chops as a performer in previous films like Bones and All. Wonka is a family film, however, so perhaps hoping that Chalamet would transform the character of Wonka into a juicy creation of his own probably was not in the cards for the dedicated performer. Instead, a devoted supporting cast steals the rug right out from Chalamet as he sings and dances his way to third place in the Willy Wonka rankings.

Wonka has aspirations to sell chocolate but quickly learns that the market isn’t as free as he’d be hoping for. A police officer (the always interesting Keegan-Michael Key) has it so that three guys (well played by Paterson Joseph, Matthew Baynton and Matt Lucas) pretty much rule the roost in the chocolate business world. When Wonka gives the last of his meager finances to a beggar, he’s left going belly up and, at the suggestion of Bleacher (Tom Davis), decides that he has no choice but to stay with the aptly named Mrs. Scrubbit (Olivia Colman in top form) who has yellow teeth. She makes him sign a contract that is pages long with discouraging “fine print.” Wonka soon befriends a young girl who is smart beyond her years named Noodle (the fine Calah Lane).

So, the story basically revolves around Wonka hustling chocolate to make a name for himself. He hides when the authorities get too close to him. Wonka is dressed to perfection thanks to inspired costumes with his colorful coat and hat but, as played by Chalamet, the character is nothing more than a goody two shoes inspired by his mom (Sally Hawkins). It is the orphan, Noodle, who emerges as the most valuable player in the movie rather than Chalamet. Lane captures the essence of what the movie really should have wanted to do with her terrific and memorable characterization.

Though the rise of Willy Wonka to fame could have made for a wonderful movie, it is just an adequate one. Paul King, as the director, is not to be faulted for any shortcomings in Chalamet’s performance. It’s just that most audiences have seen Chalamet act in major dramatic films and it feels like Chalamet could probably have done this showy performance in his sleep. It lacks the substance of the actor’s previous work. This is a light-as-air reiteration of Wonka which children may adore but could be a little bland for more mature and demanding viewers.

There is a colorful cast of poor unfortunate souls of characters like the character of Wonka is initially in the movie– Jim Carter (as an accountant), Rich Fulcher (who plays a comedian named Chucklesworth), the quiet Rakhee Thakrar and the charismatic plumber, Natasha Rothwell. All these performers ably act out these parts. Offering more fun in supporting turns are Mr. Bean, himself, Rowan Atkinson, as a bishop named Father Julius and, to a greater extent, Hugh Grant as Lofty, an Oompa-Loompa. Grant is his usual sarcastic self as the chocolate-stealing character who has an answer for everything. Grant revels in his hysterical turn and audiences will have a good time watching his work in this picture.

Colman as Scrubbit, who takes advantage of her guests by making them do slave labor, is gold here. She’s absolutely perfect in this wickedly funny role and every scene she’s in is a stand-out one. The film’s songs, however, while never bad, only truly work in spurts. The movie has plenty of toe-tapping numbers which could have been enhanced by a more inspired performance from Chalamet. He’s not bad, but he probably could have and should have demanded the part have more oomph in it. Chalamet occasionally feels a bit flat in this role.

Noodle is possibly the most interesting character in a film which is titled Wonka. This new prequel will probably do decent business at the box-office and its heart is definitely in the right place. Gene Wilder was still a much better Wonka, overall, and if you’re going to do a marathon of these films, it’s probably best to start in the order in which they were made. Wilder is followed by Depp and then there’s Chalamet who tries here, for certain, but only occasionally gets the role right on the mark. It’s a close call but Wonka is still getting a pass because it’s the holidays and the supporting cast is absolutely full of terrific casting choices. Ultimately, there is certainly an audience for this movie that will appreciate it a bit more than I did.

Rating: 7/10

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