Have you ever had something that you love to hate? Or, better yet, that you love to hate to love?
Yeah, well for me that’s Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
You can not deny that there are a lot of things to hate about that movie. Go ahead and try to tell yourself that you enjoy the eternity that it takes Charlie to find the golden ticket, or the four grandparents playing Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (if you’re younger than 40, your punishment is to Google that). Or, worst of all, Gene Wilder’s manic singing during the boat ride to Psychedelia.
Yes, I just made Psychedelia a place. It’s probably a lot like Detroit.
But, have you ever really watched Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Have you grasped the lessons of generosity, honesty and kindness that it blatantly teaches us? Don’t be greedy, don’t be rude, don’t be a glutton and stay away from creepy men who whisper sweet nothings in your ear. You could get through your entire life armed with that information alone.
Despite the fact that I knew I would be singing, “I’ve got a golden ticket…” for a good week, we sat down with the kids the other day to watch this movie.
Throughout, we openly discussed the mistakes and bad behavior of the children. We talked about the importance of following your heart, listening to your gut and which 70’s fashion to stay far, far away from.
When it was over, my husband turned to our son and asked, “What did you learn from that movie?”
My boy looked up at his dad, thought for a second then said, “Ummm…well, I guess that I learned the Oompa Loompa song.’
At least we have that going for us.
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Comments
Liz
Now, see, I loved this movie — but, you’re right, not until AFTER Charlie FINALLY finds that gosh-darned ticket — Oompa Loompas are still and will forever be creepy, though. The remake was even creepier.
lceel
When my #2 son was a kid in his twelves and early teens, his legs were just a tad too short for his torso. (he’s 6’1″ now – it doesn’t really show anymore) Anyway. All of his friends (and I do mean ALL) called him “Oompa”. Our family favorite movie is “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” for that reason. Although, it’s getting harder and harder to get anybody to sit down and watch it anymore – and when we do, we have a tendency to chant the lines to the movie in unison. “Come and live with me in peace and safety, away from all the Wangdoodles, and Hornswogglers, and Snozzwangers, and rotten, Vermicious Knids.” Anytime.
C @ Kid Things
I watch this movie almost every time it’s on TV, which is often, and it’s always for the Oompa Loompa. Creepy, yes, but the best part of the movie.
Marianne
I do love willy wonka, but parts of it are creepy, I agree. The updated version w/ Johnny Depp REALLY sucks!
Enjoy your blog. 😉 I’ve made it one of my “favorites” on my blog.
http://adventuresintheballpark.blogspot.com
Miss Britt
*sigh*
Honey, I packed my family of four into an RV in an attempt to teach my children about what it really means to be American. You know what they’ve learned so far?
That The Ritz Kids program is “awesome.”
Kids.
Heather
I hate that movie with a passion. It is SO SCARY! SO SO SO SO SCARY. And that Oompa Loompa song will be in my head for days *shudders*
meleah rebeccah
Have you ever had something that you love to hate? Or, better yet, that you love to hate to love?
Yep. The reality TV show “The Bachelor & The Bachelorette”