Therapist Reacts to WONKA

How do you hold onto your dreams through success and hardship?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to the magic of Wonka. They’re taking a look at Wonka’s optimism, hope, and deep desire to make dreams come true. Jonathan talks about how Willy’s origin story informs his drive to pursue his dream of becoming a chocolatier. And Johnathan opens up about how he can relate to Willy’s story. Alan shares why he knew Wonka was going to be good, but he was skeptical of Timothée Chalamet… what does he think now?

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, and Corinne Demyanovich
Edited by: Jenna Schaelling
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[charliehayes]

"Don't hold so fast to the dream, hold tight to being a dreamer." -Alan . Holding on to that ❤

[LauraM]

Some people think this movie is a “betrayal” of Wonka’s character because it shows him as a kind person, and the original movie had him show little care for the fates of the other children.

But I think it’s a little more complicated. Firstly, this is Wonka in his twenties. It’s natural to assume that he might’ve changed a lot since then. But also, Wonka in the first movie wasn’t some child killing monster. The bad things that happened to the kids were the result of their bad behavior, and he said at the end that they would be fine.

Most importantly, the first movie made it clear that while he has become somewhat jaded because of other people’s betrayal, he still greatly values honestly and kindness when he sees it. He not only knows that goodness does exist in the world, but that the lack of it makes it all the more precious. It’s like what Lofty says at the end of the movie; “So goes a good deed, in a weary world”.

The Wonka in this movie himself is a victim of the greediness and cruelty of people, as well as Noodle and his friends. That’s why he has no patience or sympathy for people who act greedy and cruel. And when Charlie proves to be an honest and kind child, he immediately gives him everything he has.

[angelawintering]

“Don’t hold so fast to the dream; Hold tight to being a dreamer.” - Alan Seawright. I’m gonna learn embroidery just to put that on a pillow

[Jonathan_Collins]

With the Paddington movies and Wonka, Paul King is the master of turning a concept that seems generic and seemed like a cash grab that nobody ask for into a satisfying family entertainment. Great job for him, i knew this movie is going to be a good time when it's in his hands. 🙌

[trinaq]

Child actors can be relatively hit or miss, but Calah Lane stole every single scene she was in as Noodle, showing a maturity beyond her 15 years, and sharing the screen with actors with more experience. I'm excited to see her future projects.

[BatAmerica]

I know that people (myself included) often talk about Timothy Chamelet's wonderful performance, but I was plesently suprised by the actress who played Noodle. Not only did she have to command several scenes with Chamelet but a large group on top of that, all at age 14! Nice work, she will be going places.

[LivingFire_BurningFlame]

They don't make children’s movies of this caliber anymore. Absolutely loved it. They did this absolutely perfectly. Plenty of nostalgia packed in for the older generations but much more new, interesting and whimsical stuff for the kids. Clearly a kids movie but very enjoyable as an adult.

[rileyeans]

The scene where he shares the chocolate is reminiscent to me of when Charlie gets a chocolate bar for his birthday and chooses to share it with his family.

[BatAmerica]

Thankfully, this movie was fun and endearing by refusing to deny the darkness of their surroundings. Yes, the world is abundant in cruelty and apathy, yet it still shows Wonka and Noodle's steps to counteract it. My favorite part of the movie was when he looked in the audience after opening his factory. That mix of raw heartbreak and bittersweet joy after thinking about his mother is one of many scenes that makes this character and movie so powerful.

[vit.budina]

The moment you mentioned that not every dream is achievable, I immediately remembered "Monster's University", where Mike Wazovski goes through this exact character arc, and that is one of the reasons why that movie is still one of the best Pixar movies to date.

[trinaq]

I loved the emphasis placed on Found Family, and that Wonka's ragtag group of boarding house misfits gradually become a family to each other. And while there's a bit of romance, namely with the two guards with a mutual crush, I liked that they didn't give Wonka a love interest, and instead had him serve as a big brother figure of sorts to Noodle.

[thorpizzle]

"It's not the chocolate that matters. It's the people you share it with." My version of that sentiment is buying drinks for my friends at my favorite bar, and accepting drinks from them in return. The point is that we are sharing something more than drinks. Or chocolate, or whatever else we may share. I feel like it really is the people we are sharing our time with and the memories we make along the way.

[Kayjee]

I came out of this movie, after feeling like the last decade had sucked the hope and joy right out of my soul, and I literally danced a little with my 8 year old while we sang "A World of Our Own" on the way to the van. It was like a balm for my weary soul, and as soon as it's available to buy, it will be playing daily in my home for quite a while.

[alicekingston]

The last bit, "Don't give up on your passion. Maybe recognize it as a hobby."
It's so easy for us to get caught up trying to "commodify" our passions (hustler culture and all that), but there's nothing wrong with just wanting to do something just because you enjoy doing it. If it brings happiness or zen, something else can pay the bills, and this can be what brings you peace in this world. You can enjoy a dream without having to corner that market on whatever that love is.
Good Stuff Jon-O

[alfredocea]

No way.. The channel that motivated me to study to be a child psychologist mixed with the movie that reawoke the childlike magic... How could I ever resist?.. Thank you guys for doing this movie next. :)

[MrInternetHermit]

"The difference between naivety & wisdom isn't in the amount of kindness you give, but in the amount of experience of knowing when the kindness you're giving is being used to help and when it's being used to take advantage."

[cl]

I absolutely LOVED WONKA. I saw it twice in a week. And listening to the soundtrack on repeat. And I am a 63 yr old nana.

[brielovestea]

When Wonka would say "here we go Mama" it breaks me 😭😭
Exactly what I will say to myself when I'm about to do something that I'm nervous or scared about. I would then feel my late Mom with me and gives me courage

[TheLegoKid]

I never noticed this the first couple times watching Wonka, but the music that plays when Noodle is describing her dream is the first few bars of "Pure Imagination".

[spicymemes]

Timothee Chalamet is not Gene Wilder, but he is Willy Wonka in every respect. Love this movie ❤