Roald Dahl Retrospective Episode 11: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

In this episode of the Roald Dahl Retrospective, Patricia and
Arun discuss about the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory based on the 1964 book of the same name starring Freddie
Highmore, Johnny Depp, Missy Pyle, Helena Botham Carter, Deep
Roy, David Kelly, Christopher Lee, Philip Wiegratz, Julia Winter,
AnnaSophia Robb, and Jordan Fry.  The movie is about a young
boy named Charlie Bucket wanting to find a golden ticket inside a
chocolate bar by the famous candy maker Willy Wonka, but has a
huge disadvantage due to being poor and not being able to afford
it as well as the entire world is searching for it. Luckily, he
and four other children won the chance to take a tour on Wonka's
chocolate factory for a chance to win a special prize. Meanwhile
Willy Wonka is struggling to interact with the contest winner and
their families as well as overcoming a tragic childhood past.
  


When the film premiered, it was a critical and financial success
making $475 million dollars. It's currently the highest grossing
Roald Dahl adaptation of all time with most of the movies making
nowhere close the amount. It was also given praise from the
critics for its presentation, dark humor, and soundtrack.
However, it was criticized due to Johnny Depp's performance as
Willy Wonka comparing him to Michael Jackson. Over the years, the
movie has garnered massive hate saying it was inferior to the
1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory despite being
more accurate to the book. What do Patricia and Arun think? Does
the movie hold up after 15 years later? Listen and find out.