The Character of Willy Wonka: Endlessly Interpreted

Willy Wonka is a great example of why a book can be turned into any number of movies. 

I'm not referring to "remakes." Rather, I'm referring to a new artist/director/studio trying their hand at a piece, seeing it from a new perspective. 

Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka is, of course, classic. He is also somewhat deadpan and snarky. In fact, the entire movie has a Monty-Python feel to it. His unpredictability is part of the persona.

Timothée Chalamet's Willy Wonka conveys more innocence and charm as well as wonderment and a sense of isolation. The movie doesn't entirely explain why he would become such a recluse since it attempts to end on a sweet note, but the propensity for isolation is already there.

Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka (Tim Burton's movie) is disturbed, nervous, antisocial and far funnier than I'd remembered from my first viewing. Burton's vision, moreover, is very Dahl, and I appreciate that Burton did NOT want to make Wonka a father figure. Charlie already  has a decent father, and the family scenes are excellently conveyed. Freddie Highmore is a very good Charlie, especially since he toned down his wisecracking side. 

All interpretations are in keeping with the book. Although they are variations, they are all variations on a theme. Willy Wonka is a playful imp who may or may not be serious, may or may not be disingenuous. He is wholly committed to his factory, entirely puckish and off-kilter, somewhat suspicious of others (though that behavior is implied in the book more than shown), and touched by sincerity.

Going along with my post about Alice, I consider Quentin Blake's illustration to be quite appropriate to Dahl and the character!