Gene Wilder (1933-2016) as Wonka. |
ve decided to use Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Paramount, 1971) as my example.
The Opening Image of Wonka features a machine churning chocolate. The image goes hand in hand with the theme- that, more or less, that the little things make life great. After the credits, which feature an elaborate chocolate making process in the background, we are introduced to Charlie Bucket, a young boy who maintains his hopes and dreams despite the crushing adversity of his family's current financial situation.
Charlie Bucket finds a Golden Ticket |
The big day rolls around, and the five lucky winners and their chaperones visit the factory, which features a series of lush and extravagant rooms- with one parent commenting that it is a 'fun house'. Our fun and games continue, eventually leading to our midpoint- where Augustus Gloop, an overweight German child, becomes stuck in a pipe after falling into a chocolate river. (If you've never seen this before, this must sound quite alarming). The Bad Guys Close In, but in this film, there's a bit of a twist. Each child represents some element of greed, and ultimately their treachery is shown as they one by one succumb to their greed and lose out on the prospect of winning the Grand Prize.
The Glass Elevator |
Charlie is the last man standing, but All is Lost Wonka says he is disqualified for drinking the Fizzy Lifting drinks after Wonka specifically told them not to. Charlie regrets his decision, his 'Dark night of the soul moment', and prepares to leave empty handed, but first he returns the Gobstopper. Wonka then reveals that Sluggworth was a plant to test the children's loyalties, and congratulates Charlie for winning not only the chocolate, but also his entire factory. The Finale is quite epic, Wonka and co travel through a glass elevator into the ceiling, revealing the city, which is our final image.