Movie Reviews: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & Finding Neverland

I've recently seen two noteworthy films that share both lead actors and thematic elements, as well as being based on books. They are significantly different in tone and style but carry with them significant elements of the fantastic (one more than the other.) I recommend them both highly and wanted to comment on the key thread that ties them together: fatherhood.

Finding Neverland is based on the book of the same name and is the story of how Sir James Matthew Barrie came to write Peter Pan. Barrie was a playwrite struggling with his career - and his marriage. During one of his regular visits to the park, Barrie meets and befriends a group of boys who have recently lost their father. One boy in particular has been hard-hit by the death and has clearly lost hope in his current circumstances.

The bittersweet story that evolves is that of Barrie, who is childless, becoming a father-figure to this group of boys and a dear friend to their mother. Along the way the boys find a male role model in their lives and Barrie finds inspiration to write his class play, Peter Pan. What is fascinating to watch is how Barrie begins to become person he was meant to be, all the while bringing hope and inspiration to boys desperate in need of something good in their lives.

The tale is not all hope and inspiration, however. The story is laced with sadness as Barrie slowly loses his wife due to neglect and lack of communication and circumstances in his life spiral beyond his control. These, too, prove valuable object lessons as we see the failings of Barrie as his greatest strength also becomes his greatest weakness when it comes to his marriage. Still, there is very much a redemptive thread that runs through the movie and balances nicely with the tragic elements.

Despite (or maybe because of) his shortcomings, Barrie is very much an inspiration as a character. His obvious love for the boys is well worth emulating and despite his neglect, it is clear that Barrie loves his wife, though he doesn't know how to enter her world or bring her into his. There are certainly great lessons on family relationships here and much to think about when it comes to investing in both our children and our spouses.

Finding Neverland is currently out on VHS and DVD and is rated PG (mild thematic elements and brief language) so the whole family can watch (the younger set might not enjoy it though - it may a bit boring for the Finding Nemo crowd.) If you're looking for a couple of hours to engage the brain, but not the body I highly recommend it. If you see it, let me know think.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a wholly different film. Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, it is the story of Charlie a poor boy who lives in a run-down shack with his parents and both sets of grandparents. When Willie Wonka, the creepy and strange chocolatier, opens his factory to five lucky children after years of closed secrecy, Charlie wants desperately to be among them. The only way to get in, though, is to find a golden ticket hidden inside the wrapping of the winning Wonka Bars.

The story is simultaneously about the children who find the tickets, their parents, a marvelous, fantastical chocolate factory and the mysterious Willy Wonka. What ties each of these elements together is that Wonka is unknowingly searching both for a father and for a son. The story is extremely allegorical and no one should miss the obvious moral(s) to the story. At a higher level, however, it can be seen as a very stylized version of the prodigal son, though some may see that as a bit of a (taffy) stretch.

Regardless, it is clear that the value of family and the impact of a father are major elements to this story. Much can be learned (or rediscovered) by young and old alike about the importance of being a good parent, as well as a good son or daughter. The movie is out in theatres now, so if you need an escape from the heat (and reality) this is a great option. Really young children may be scared by some scenes, but I found this Wonka less ominous than Wilde's version. The music by Danny Elfman is fabulous, so even if you don't go in for all this symbolism stuff, at least go for the Oompa-Loompas.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.