“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams”
Ode by Arthur O’Shaughnessy
Every few years I give my imagination a kick by watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. With Betsy out of town this last weekend, I decided to dive into the wonderful, odd, and fun world that Roald Dahl created. I am talking about the original here which features the amazing performance by Gene Wilder. While I am a fan of Tim Burton’s remake,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it is the original that draws the most direct connection with me (though I must admit I committed the time for you dear reader and watched both, just to be sure). The original simply reminds me of the first time I saw it as a child. Each time the movie brings me the same feelings of excitement and wonder from the first time I saw it, and I love art that can have such an impact.
Now, I fully realize that this movie does not represent the pinnacle of cinematography. However, I never let that ruin a story whose entire premise revolves around imagination, candy, and some very dark humor. Seriously, how can you combine these concepts and not be pulled into the story? As if that is not enough, they have singing Oompa Loompas, a river boat ride that gave me nightmares for years, and a freaking Chocolate Room!
Early in the movie Charlie opens his Wonka Bar to reveal the final golden ticket, getting him access to a tour of Willy Wonka’s factory. Each time I watch it I get goosebumps and tears in my eyes, just like when I was 8 years old. The moment is one of pure happiness, without concern for the unexpected or unknown. The look on his face and the excitement he shows as he runs home to tell his family is something that I would love to capture each day. While Charlie is not sure what lies behind the factory gates, his imagination is running at full speed as he thinks about the possibilities. Watching the movie again with our trip inching ever closer I was reminded to open my imagination to what we will find on the road, both the expected and the unexpected.
On October 1st we are leaving for our extended adventure around the world. In watching the movie again it turns out that the magical factory tour that Charlie has won is also set for October 1st. Coincidence? Perhaps, but that will not stop me from feeling a special connection to the story and using it to provide lessons as we get into our trip:
- Embrace my imagination. I love the creativity of Willy Wonka and what the movie says about the importance of a healthy imagination. As we hit the road we need to use our imagination to find the beauty in every experience, as I expect there will be times it will not be clearly evident.
- Be excited about the adventure. I strive to match the same level of excitement and enthusiasm that Charlie showed when he unwrapped that chocolate bar. I will look forward to each new city and person we meet as an opportunity for excitement.
- Don’t let fear control me. If you have seen the original scene with the boat going through the tunnel, you know it was scary and quite dark. There will certainly be times when we are scared of what lies ahead, but we need to continue to embrace the experience.
- “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” Sometimes, we just need to let go and enjoy ourselves, even if that means being a little silly.
- Smile. I find that smiling helps me to get out of a funk and to deal with challenges in a positive way. Plus, it is always easier to meet new people when you have a smile on your face.
What movie inspires you to live a more imaginative life?
About Warren
Pretty cool coincidence that Charlie got his tour of the chocolate factory on the same date we are leaving on the trip. I think I’m going to avoid candy for the first week just to be safe.
The movie that inspires me is completely geeky - The Matrix. I love what it says about choosing to be aware or not and whether to actively guide your life or let someone else do it for you. Plus there’s all the black leather and cool moves, but that’s just a bonus.
I must remember to buy some leather outfits before we leave for the trip….
I remember watching the original Charlie & The Chocolate Factory as a child. I loved that movie. Gene Wilder was brilliant.
It’s so exciting that you’re leaving October 1st. Hopefully our paths will cross while we’re all on the road. I’m super excited about my two days in Seattle next month. Looking forward to hanging out with both of you!
We are looking forward to seeing you as well next month. With any luck we can connect on the road and share some wonderful experiences.
I think what you got out of that movie is awesome………..but try not to scar children for life with scary-ass midgets dressed as clowns……not me of course this was a friend of mine :/ lol
I saw a video you posted and then reading this I think I’m a little like you…I can definitely relate to wanting to let go of fear and wishing to be comfortable with spontaneity. I think in my mind I’m this awesome adventure-er Lara Croft type character and I just have to let her out…maybe after your trip you’ll be like this little cartoon…
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad115/lucycastle/ADude.jpg
p.s…don’t judge me, work is boring
Lucy, you are awesome. I love the end result of me after a few years on the road and glad to know I still have a huge smile. I am delighted to know that others believe I could pull off a long, black, leather trench-coat. Plus, just yesterday I was thinking I need a Willy Wonka t-shirt for our trip. Perfect, you captured it all!
PS. I will not be planning to dress as a “scary-ass midget dressed as a clown” at some point on this trip just to say I had done it. Too bad I did not have this idea when I rode naked in the parade earlier this year! That would have been great.
Also, it is great to know that I am just 1 whip away from being cool. I have been telling Betsy for years that is what was missing from my outfits.
Seriously, that movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. I kept thinking those Oompa Loompas would pop their heads around every door. But yet I watched it over and over again - I guess I always loved cheap thrills!
Betsy, I wanted to be Trinity so badly after I saw The Matrix, I couldn’t stand it. She’s such a bad-ass.
My movie was Dead Poet’s Society. I saw it in high school right around the time we were learning about the Carpe Diem poetry in the movie. I loved the opening of minds and possibilties - to lesson to just take chances when you can, speak up and live out loud, because life is short. The scene that stay with me is the one where Robin Williams’ takes the boys down a corridor they pass every day to actually LOOK at the photos of young men from days gone by. Looking into those old photos, knowing most of the people are long dead, the boys see how much hope and anticipation and LIFE are in their eyes. And while a bit cheesy, Robin W pretends to be the photos speaking to them: “Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary!”
You are both making your lives extraordinary. To that I say, “Well done, oh captain my captain!”
Thank you for such a great inspiration today. I actually got chills reading the last line and knowing how important that is coming from you to us. It means the world.
Great choice of movies! I have not seen that in years and now I am going out and renting it tomorrow to be inspired. I love the way you sum up a great lesson available here if you look. Nice job!
Great post, I love it! Even better than winning the golden ticket you two have given yourselves a golden ticket to enjoying your lives right here, right now and that mindset can only ensure a fabulous trip around the world or anywhere!
Kate, you are absolutely right and I did not even realize how much better our trip is than the golden ticket. We are certainly excited about it, but maybe I need to run through the streets screaming gleefully. I cannot imagine being happier than I am today, but I am pretty sure I said that yesterday. Thank you for the great and wonderful words.
I had to think about this for a while: the movie is “Enchanted April” it’s a chick flick so it’s probably bore you, Warren, but it’s all about the power of love and the little miracles that happen when we follow our hearts.
Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my favorite all-time films, and my husband and I watch it every few years. The scene where Charlie opens the ticket is great filmmaking, I get chills watching it, what I like to call “the movie feeling.” I have discussed this film numerous time with adults, and when I declare my passion for it, have elicited such lines as “well then you must hate children.” Which is not the case, I remember very clearly being a child and loving it, even the insanely frightening river ride. Modern parents may have forgotten Grimm’s fairy tales and the like.
A film that fires my imagination is Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge. It’s a crazy hodge podge in some ways, more of a spectacle, amusement park ride, or drug trip than a movie, but it’s addictive. An ode to passion and poetry and the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, the actors pour their hearts out and don’t hold back. I find it exhilarating to watch, and saw it 5 times in the theater when it came out, like a teenage groupie. Throw in the psychedelic absinthe and the awesome soundtrack, and it’s a movie not afraid of going over the top. Plus it ends with the perfect sentiment: “The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return. ” Hear hear.
I also love the Matrix, but now want to watch it again. It is one of my husband’s all-time favorites, he’ll watch 20 minutes of it at a time, any time of day or night.