Charlie and the Chocolate Factory turns 20: How a simple children’s film taught us the greatest familial values!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, beyond pure entertainment, had a beautiful message - family, with its unwavering love and sound values, is the ultimate wealth in life. 

As a 2000s kid, I take immense pride in talking about the content we grew up consuming; eccentric characters, colourful settings, and simple yet heartwarming stories that not only entertained us or fueled our imagination and creativity but also taught us valuable lessons while offering some beautiful perspective to our lives! One such film that I hold very dear to my heart is Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp. I remember being mesmerized by the fantastical world of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, imagining myself tasting his confectionery creations that defied explanations, and meeting the quirky Oompa-Loompas who looked cute on the outside but were infact, were an army of disciplined soldiers who would obey their master at all costs! However, as I grew older, I realised the film wasn’t only about those magical visuals or quirky music but was rather a masterclass on family values that was beautifully portrayed through the story of Charlie and the adventure he embarks upon after winning a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

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Our protagonist Charlie was a kind and loving boy who lives with his family in a match-box-sized house that was practically leaning, they shared a single cabbage for dinner almost everyday, his grandparents were bedridden, and poverty was their constant companion. Yet, despite their dire circumstances, they are brimming with something far more valuable than the luxuries of life - love and genuine support. Think about it, Charlie, on his birthday receives nothing but one small bar of chocolate all year and still shares it with his entire family! That's not just kindness but the purest form of love and selflessness coming from someone as young as him. But that’s not the only example of Bucket’s family affection for each other; there was also Grandpa Joe, who, despite his ill-health accompanies Charlie to his dream adventure in the factory, fuelled by the sheer excitement of his grandson winning the golden ticket and watching him tour it. Despite their poor financial conditions, the Bucket family maintained a positive outlook and found joy in simple things. Remember how they cherished their cabbage soups and how much they looked forward to hearing grandpa’s stories? The family didn't dwell on their misfortunes, instead supported each other and hoped for better days, conveying the importance of perseverance and finding happiness even in difficult circumstances. Endearing, right?

The film also touched upon the importance of inculcating good values in children through the example of other ticket winners - Augustus Gloop, the greedy bra, Salt, the spoiled princess, and Violet Beauregarde, the gum-chewing champion.

Their parents, in sharp contrast to the Buckets, encourage bad habits and made every excuse to defend their children’s misbehaviour, turning them into arrogant, self-indulgent, greedy little monsters. Remember how Augustus' parents fed into his gluttony, whereas Veruca's dad tried to buy her happiness or Violet's mom encouraging her competitive chewing? These families served as an example of bad parenting and neglect, encouraging vices like excessive indulgence, lack of discipline, and prioritizing materialism over genuine connection and good values. 

Now compare it to Charlie’s disciplined conduct throughout his tour of the factory. Despite being faced with heavenly wonders, he remained grounded and respectful, showcasing honesty and integrity passed on to him by his family. An example of this was his act of not taking advantage of the Fizzy Lifting Drinks, even when tempted, reminding the viewers yet again to appreciate what they have rather than constantly complaining and desiring more, a lesson the other, ungrateful children sorely missed and paid a heavy (but hilarious) price for it.

But that's not all; the heartwarming climax of the film tops everything else! Wonka, impressed by Charlie’s integrity, appoints him as his heir to the empire, however, on the condition that he has to leave his family to solely focus on the grand factory. Charlie, without giving it a thought, politely refuses the offer, stating his family is more important to him than anything. Think about it, a little kid who has faced financial hardships all his life, is deprived of the little materialist joys of childhood, and lives in a cramped house, refuses a fortune because he doesn't want to enjoy the luxuries of life without people that matter the most to him - his family, how selfless! Charlie’s kindness, honesty, and affection for his family ultimately make Wonka realise that the most valuable treasure in life is indeed a loving family and sound values, and not the riches he boasts of!

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