Candy Wonk

I was just watching Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (not to be confused with its worthy if unnecessary successor Charlie And The Chocolate Factory) and I have a question.

First, a quick review of the plot. Willy Wonka is this sadistic chocolate manufacturer who invites five kids on a tour of his place so he can torture them. One by one they get knocked off along the way. (At the end, Wonka assures Charlie, the one kid who makes it, that they'll all be fine. I want to believe this.)

Then he denies Charlie the promised lifetime supply of chocolate because Charlie broke some rule listed in the fine print. Charlie is disappointed, but still has the option of turning over the Everlasting Gobstopper candy he's received to Slugworth, Wonka's competition, for big bucks.

Now doing this would be underhanded, though after the way he's been shafted by Wonka, it would be understandable. Instead, Charlie gives back the Gobstopper to Wonka. Wonka's been waiting for this moment ("Slugworth" is actually his employee--Wonka's been playing more mind games with the kids) and turns over his factory to Charlie.

Now think about this. Okay, Wonka wouldn't want to give up his joint to some kid who sells him out, but was he really expecting Charlie (or any of the others) to return the Gobstopper? He gave it to them. Since they're not getting anything else, why shouldn't they keep it?

For that matter, I'm not clear why Charlie returns it. He doesn't seem to be acting with contempt--"take this, you bastard, I want nothing to do with you!" Nor does he seem to feel guilty about breaking some minor rule. He acts like it's the right thing to do when, in fact, he's entitled to keep it, and enjoy it.

So Wonka shouldn't expect it, and Charlie shouldn't do it. Some ending.

Columbus Guy says: We waited 35 years for this? I don't think so. THis is a transparent attempt to please your masters by justifying the heinous actions of our corporate overlords.