Charlie and the Choc Factory - Page 9

[Queen Gwen]

Originally Posted by journeymom

Hm. I wonder if Roald Dahl meant the grandparents to be viewed this way. I kind of think not.

I disagree. I think the grandparents are SUPPOSED to be portrayed as awful people. It isn't a sweet children's story; it's got all sorts of weird undertones. Some kids (and grownups) are fine with that; for example, my 9yo and 5yo loved the movie. Some people, though, think Dahl's stuff is too dark for anyone under age 10 or so.

I LOVED the Umpah Loompah song in the link. But I wonder why the author was so riled up that Grandpa was a creep. All things considered, I'm amazed he didn't try to steal the ticket from Charlie and go on his own.

(Totally off topic: it sort of reminds me of going to see Fantasia at a movie theatre; all sorts of people think it's a movie for small children because it has Micky Mouse, but really it's an adult film, and the kids are bored out of their skulls as soon as the Micky part is over. Yoohoo, don't try to make this out to be a kid's cartoon, because it's not.)

[DebraBaker]

There were too many eyewitnesses to Charlie's ownership of the golden ticket including the secret wonka spy man (whateverhisname) so I wouldn't give grampa a pass on that one.

DB

[MelMel]

i cant see the grandparents as purposefully vindictive or selfish/mean. I figure they just are down on life in general, in a slump...etc. they are guilty of unmotivation and taking advantage of their children/grandchild...but i dont think its a spiteful thing. :LOL but who really knows. lol