Jean Wilder and the Paper Factory Since I know almost by heart a fairy tale that served as a support for the plot, on the one hand I was hoping for a good and interesting film. On the other hand, my pungent subconscious tried hard to prove to me that this film, however beautiful it would be, was still worse than the subsequent film adaptation of 2005. I can only say one thing about this, my subconscious has never let me down.
I have too many complaints about the plot, some of them may seem unreasonable to you.
First of all, I knew that Tim Burton’s film was the first to use squirrels for this fairy tale, but I just didn’t count on such a terrifying version of his predecessor. To replace fifty squirrels with a few giant geese, bearing golden eggs - if not stupid, it looks like insanity, especially, does this not remind you of anything?
Secondly, the most funny and funny phrases of the book were lost along the way and did not get into the picture, but the writers invented a bunch of their, by the way, absolutely flat and purely American, jokes.
Also, the screenwriters shortened the time for the main actions of the picture, and, about an hour of winning, let on the frank and so beloved at that time by the audience and filmmakers pop numbers with songs and dances, because of which the film is even a musical is difficult to call. In addition, all the songs written specifically for the picture were completely unnecessary load and often just knocked out of the overall narrative. But, it should be noted that important songs were completely discolored and launched, apparently, only to the title at least somehow correspond to the film itself, because it took half a minute each and all were on the same motive.
Defects, and, in my opinion, quite large, I noticed in the characters of the picture. I haven’t seen a single book character. All the characters of the film are a very distorted and incorrect interpretation of the fairy tale.
Why does Violetta have a strong megalomania, but not even a drop of selfishness? Why is Mike a young killer with all the makings of a killer and little faith in his mental abilities? Why did Veruke need to bring his father to a state close to a heart attack in order to get what he wanted? After all, why does Augustus, the boy who eats so much chocolate a day, stay moderately thin? Why doesn't Grandpa Joe inspire trust and respect for both grandson and audience? Why does this grandson, Charlie, not like me as a spectator, and I do not feel in him the kindness and love that should be?
And, of course, the biggest drawback at the end. I don't see the main person of the picture - my beloved Willy Wonka. Yes, I see Gene Wilder, who clarifies and shows what a good actor he is, that even in a role he can play another person. Where is the secretive and vulnerable confectioner, wearing an eternal mask of happiness on his face, who knows how to stand up for himself and always says what he thinks? This image, the most important in the fairy tale, was absolutely not disclosed, which for me personally means only one thing - the pleasure of the film is reduced almost twice, if not more.
I can see that there are a couple of pictures in the picture that please the eye. But the director’s work as such did not please me, as he had a completely different vision of the film. Music is not remembered at all, so it is not worth talking about it either.
And a few words about the scenery. Of course, for that time, they were probably the best option, but now, when the viewer is so spoiled with a beautiful and natural-looking picture, and special effects are considered almost the most important component of the film, paper and cardboard sweets are unlikely to please anyone much, especially since they, no matter how bright and interesting they were, can not correct other shortcomings of the picture.
Little, perhaps, I can say about the play of actors, as it is familiar to the eye, was not. I didn’t notice a single person in the film that I really believed, let alone that Gene Wilder didn’t try.
In general, I wouldn’t even call it a “fairy tale” movie, as it doesn’t even have a hint of the magical atmosphere of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Therefore, I think that fans of the work of this storyteller, to whom I consider myself, this film is categorically contraindicated to watch, so as not to spoil the impression after a wonderful fairy tale.
5 out of 10
Original