Roxygen22 - Inner Ramblings Of A Recovering Perfectionist

Just watched the Wonka movie.

I enjoyed it as a standalone film but especially enjoyed it as a prequel to the Gene Wilder Wonka. It retroactively made Wider’s Willy so much more tragic.

And that’s because Chalamet’s younger, earnest and kind Willy Wonka is CONSTANTLY having his kindness and compassion and belief in the good intentions of others thrown back at his face almost. Every. Single. Time.

What happens to him, in no particular order: People take advantage of him when he is at his lowest; they sabotage his chocolate; Hugh Grant steal his chocolate and beats him with a frying pan; he is nearly drowned by the chief of police; a boat he’s in is rigged to explode; they try to drown him AGAIN but now in melted chocolate under a church; he is tricked into debt and forced into indentured servitude; the chocolate mafia wants him dead; he has to crawl in the sewers just to sell his chocolate without the police beating the shit out of him at the chocolate mafia’s command, and a bunch of other moments either his earnest nature (or the fact he is illiterate, because by the way he is illiterate) is taken advantage of.

But he keeps believing in the good of others. He has friends, and a pseudo daughter that taught him how to read and his mother’s memory and so many dreams…

And then we arrive at Wilder Wonka. Who was betrayed one too many times. Who had his recipes stolen from him. Who shut himself from the world and trusts no one.

Who doesn’t care for these spoiled people walking around his factory, even if they were his last attempt at proving to himself that good people, good kids (Like Noodle) still exist.

Who is alone.

TL;DR: seeing a young Wonka who is so optimistic knowing how he is going to end up after being betrayed over and over and over again is a emotional experience that I was not quite ready for.

The pain remains

The nightmares should have stopped. He thought they would have. He finally had all he wanted and needed in his life and yet.

He would wake up in a cold sweat and stomach aching so bad he’d vomit upon waking. And occasionally he’d wet the bed too. Only the worst ones would really make him so ill and he’d be up the rest of the night.

Of course he’d take care of himself then try to get back to sleep. It never worked.

He hoped taking time to stay with Noodle and her mother would calm whatever was causing all these weird night terrors.

The first few days he slept like a baby and seemingly had miraculously recovered from his sleep issues.

It wasn’t until the fourth day. The night terrors returned. The shop burning, him getting shoved into the cold fountain, getting hit on the head, almost drowning in chocolate with Noodle, momma dying, getting injured and being alone.

All of it was running in his head and he couldn’t lie still. He was screaming out and thrashing. He was tossing and turning.

Noodle and her mother could hear a horrific loud commotion coming from the bedroom that belonged to Willy when he visited.

Something had seemed off about him. He had seemed more tired than usual. They knew his immune system was out of wack. But it seemed more than that.

They rushed out to the hall.

“What’s going on Noodle?” Her mom asked.

“It must be Willy!” Noodle said worriedly.

Together mother and daughter rushed into Willy’s room and found his blankets in a pile on the floor. Willy was thrashing wildly in bed.

Dorothy turned on the light and Noodle tried to wake him.

Willy finally woke up and proceeded to vomit onto the bed.

“Woah my goodness Willy! Oh” Noodle said softly as she took in his sorry state. He was sweating profusely and it seemed like he had a accident in his sleep too. Willy was shaking and crying.

Noodle carefully helped Willy out of bed.

“Hey what’s going on?” She asked concerned.

Willy couldn’t answer his whole body ached and he felt so sick.

“Noodle bring him to the bathroom and get him into a bath. He’s had a bad night terror. I’ll deal with his bed.” Said her mother.

“Ok.” Noodle said

Willy coughed and gagged

Noodle helped him to the bathroom where he threw up again.

“Oh Willy.” Noodke said

she got the water ready in the tub for him.

Willy groaned in pain.

He looked so tired and Noodle was worried. Her normally happy go lucky friend was now crying and shaking like a leaf.

She set up a bath for him and grabbed him a change of clothes before leaving him alone to take care of himself. She stood outside the bathroom door waiting for him. While her mother changed the bedding on Willys bed.

Once Willy was in a fresh pair of pajamas and the bed was remade Noodle and Dorothy helped Willy back to bed.

Willy groaned and coughed as he was helped into bed.

“Whatever is the matter Willy?” Noodle asked worriedly.

“Noodle the poor man is exhausted and clearly unwell do not speak to him that way!” Scolded her mother.

Willy sighed heavily

“It’s quite alright Dorothy I haven’t been sleeping well and now it’s making me feel terrible.” He said.

“I can see that Willy. Now what’s been going on?” Dorothy asked concerned.

Willy shrugged “I’m not quite sure. All I know is I fall asleep and when I sleep. My brain is making up awful stories and reminding me of what I’ve been through.” Willy said tiredly. He rubbed his face and sighed. “Sleeping has become nearly impossible. I get so sick in the night and then I’m up until morning.” He yawned and got comfortable.

“I’m sorry for waking you both. I thought visiting would calm my mind and fix whatever this is.” He said weakly. He blinked back tears and Noodle and Dorothy embraced him and held him as he began to cry.

Dorothy frowned worriedly

“I’m sorry you’ve been so sick Willy. It’s a good thing you came to stay for a little.” She told him.

Noodle pulled away and crawled into bed beside him. Dorothy held on just for a moment longer as Willy cried. Dorothy then pulled away and grabbed a tissue to wipe away his tears and snot on his face.

“Noodle can stay with you tonight. We can try to figure out what’s going on tomorrow yeah Dorothy asked.

Willy nodded and Noodle snuggled close.

“I’m sorry you’re so upset Willy.” Noodle said

Willy hugged her and sighed. “It’s ok Noodle it’s not your fault.”

“I know but you should have felt better here.” She said

“We’ll figure it out Noodle don’t worry. I’m sure of it.” Dorothy promised she kissed Noodle’s head and ruffled Willy’s hair.

“Sleep well dears.” She said

“Goodnight Mom.” Noodle said as she got comfortable next to Willy and Willy nodded in Dorothy’s direction before laying down snuggling with Noodle and finally falling asleep.

ᴡɪʟʟʏ ᴡᴏɴᴋᴀ: ᴀ ᴍᴏᴏᴅ

THIS. THIS SCENE RIGHT HERE IS WHAT BREAKS ME

Willy watches as he reunites one of his closest friends with her mother. He’s finally shared chocolate to the world, able to say farewell to his own mother. But he’s still not magically over his own grief, all he wants still to have what he managed to give to noodle

|･ω･`)