DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to WONKA
Added 2024-02-26 16:00:21 +0000 UTCHow do you hold onto your dreams through success and hardship?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to the magic of Wonka. They’re taking a look at Wonka’s optimism, hope, and deep desire to make dreams come true. Jonathan talks about how Willy’s origin story informs his drive to pursue his dream of becoming a chocolatier. And Johnathan opens up about how he can relate to Willy’s story. Alan shares why he knew Wonka was going to be good, but he was skeptical of Timothée Chalamet… what does he think now?
Comments
Going back and watching these videos to decide what movies I should watch that I haven't yet. Jono talking about his mom reminds me greatly of how I feel about my dad, and that part made me tear up quite a bit. Thank again for being yourselves. I'm sure there is some alterations, of course, but we appreciate the vulnerability.
SaucyJTD
2024-05-29 23:39:23 +0000 UTCYou guys have positively influenced my life more than you can imagine. I know so much more about relationships, and you have helped me see the kind of relationships I want for myself. You guys have made me laugh, cry, laugh right after I cry, and have helped me feel seen. It means so much, and I thank you. Even though I find myself yelling at the screen during movies now about how toxic their relationships are. ❤️
Hannah Rose 🥀
2024-03-13 05:31:51 +0000 UTCWonka hit much harder than I ever thought it would. My mom first got sick my last year of elementary school, and she passed a month before I turned 18. She used to print out snowman faces and she would sew tiny hats for Hershey chocolate bars that she'd give to everybody for Christmas. I turn 27 this year, and I still own the last bar that she gave to me. Needless to say, I may have cried my eyes out for the majority of Wonka when I saw it in theaters 😂
Kambria
2024-03-13 01:18:12 +0000 UTCWow as someone who is going through a career struggle and dream struggle this hit so close to home. I really needed this episode today!
KrissyArtist
2024-03-12 04:06:18 +0000 UTCSometimes it's not safe to keep your dreams alive, and you have to give up on them and let them go into hiding in order to find them again. I wanted to be a ballerina, but I had to stop dancing at thirteen because it was inexplicably not working (decades later, I would learn that there were problems with my feet that no one had ever noticed). Now I am 43, and I am taking online ballet classes almost every day, after spending years getting into sufficient shape while pretending I wasn't aiming for that, because I knew on some level that if I admitted what I was working towards, or tried dancing before my body was past ready, I would give up. Then a few months ago, my body told me that it was time. I am stronger, more flexible, and better at dancing (thanks to repaired feet) at 43 than I was at thirteen. Ballet can't be my life, but it can still be my passion. Yet if I'd tried to reclaim it too soon, I'd have lost it.
Katizaris Leanisillis
2024-03-06 18:22:19 +0000 UTCOh maybe you read a different screenwriting book? Film student here! Save the Car for the win! I literally had to figure out a save the cat moment for the main character in the short film I'm currently working on!
Kate Larson
2024-02-29 15:50:01 +0000 UTCI've heard it both ways... 😜
Alan Seawright
2024-02-29 15:48:16 +0000 UTCI did not have high expectations for this movie, but now I really want to go see it! Your comments about movie musicals being hit or miss reminded me of what could potentially be a really cool episode one day—I have the controversial opinion of really loving the Les Mis movie musical, not because I ignore all the flaws, but because it was the first iteration of the story that really, really drew me in to the absolutely beautiful story of how grace and compassion can change the trajectory of so many lives through the way it influences people to change and the kind of tragedy that can befall us if we refuse to accept grace or allow others to influence our worldviews. So the episode idea could be comparing the psychology of Valjean and Javert and how Valjean’s willingness to be absolutely uncompromising in his values but flexible in his devotion to rules/tradition changed his life for the better but Javert’s inflexibility ended up dooming him when something happened that he could not account for in how he had previously understood the world. And if you didn’t want to sit through the musical, there is always the option to do the 1998 version with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush. Those two are always a win. :)
Erin Bourneuf
2024-02-28 23:54:24 +0000 UTCI’d love to see you guys do a video on Zoolander- “dissecting the journey to self-actualization and how to cope with being really really really ridiculously good-looking” (I’m only half joking)
Julia Pearson
2024-02-28 19:25:02 +0000 UTCWe saw it with our kids and my sister and her kids (ages 3, 6, and 8, and fairly sensitive to scary things) and they all loved it! The music and colors and humor were a big hit for all the kiddos. Not really anything scary - a couple of mildly tense/scary moments that mostly feel pretty cartoonish. I don't think you need to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory first. Hope that helps! - Megan
Cinema Therapy
2024-02-28 02:13:30 +0000 UTCI haven’t seen this movie yet but I want to! I’m just curious, because this weekend I wanted to take my 5yo daughter to see a movie but there were no G rated films available to see in our area. Is there scary stuff in this, or will a 5yo like it? Should I have her watch Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory first? Anyone feel free to let me know, I don’t expect Alan or Jono to respond to this. I just wondered. The last movie we saw was Wish which was just awful and extremely difficult for me to sit through because of what a weak movie it was, lol. It seems like people like this one more but my daughter gets scared easily so I wondered about it. Thanks team ❤️ -Erin
Stefan and Erin S
2024-02-27 22:46:48 +0000 UTCI love you guys! You are doing an amazing work here. And even it might not been exactly what you imagined your dream was going to be, I am super grateful, that you are bringing laughter and joy and wisdom (and sometimes even the good type of tears) to my life. I am sure many people feel that way <3 Thank you for your amazing work! By the way — I would love an episode on “Call me by your name". The last scene with the fireplace and this goosebump song made me weep like a baby.
Simone Martin
2024-02-27 18:54:28 +0000 UTCGive your dreams a yoga workout - keep them strong, yet flexible.
Scott Rutter
2024-02-27 18:24:33 +0000 UTCMomma Decker made a bar of therapy and Jono has shared the magic she inspired in him with the world 💚💚💚
Scott Wilde
2024-02-27 06:08:27 +0000 UTCGreat episode. To me this was one of the most playful movies I saw if not the most playful movie. When we are getting to culinary movies I'm really hoping for ratatouille :D
BlackAdder
2024-02-27 05:41:40 +0000 UTCTalking about regrouping- I really needed that! I've been applying for Peer Counselor jobs within my company and I've had 4 interviews and none of them have panned out despite them telling me I would be a great fit. After 4 of those in the last 6 months I've been feeling REALLY low and like giving up on the idea. Sometimes we hear the words we need to hear in such a serendipitous way :)
Winter Ranalla
2024-02-27 02:31:59 +0000 UTCI'm 44 now. I had a dream - I wanted to help animals. I looked at being a vet, a biologist, etc. and I couldn't do the math, it didn't work out. But guess what I do now? I'm an energy advocate. Who helps the environment. So I'm still helping animals. I'm still making things better. I think it's worth thinking about how the spirit of you what you do is what matters more than the actual thing. I have young staff who say "I don't even use my college degree!" and I say hell yeah you do. The way you have been taught to think, deciding to go for this job - you're using it, just not the narrow little way you once thought you would. When you guys were kids you didn't even know the internet would exist, that influencers would be a thing. Yet here you are. With fans. Love it.
Ze Villmark
2024-02-27 00:40:27 +0000 UTCTechnically the chocolate in the fountain wasn't Wonka's. I guess you could in the end call it his as he did drop a few things, besides himself and Noodle into the mix.
Angelina
2024-02-26 20:36:05 +0000 UTCIf you had to describe Johnny Depps willy Wonka in one word, what would it be?
Brandon Payne
2024-02-26 20:26:13 +0000 UTCGreat episode, once again! I loved the message and the conversation you had at the end. I am myself facing a layoff this spring and because the film/animation industry is in such shambles, there are not many prospects of work ahead and I need to consider possibly getting a new dream. It's stressful and exhausting! I'm sure both of you (and especially Alan with the pandemic layoffs) know what this is like. Hopefully I will find something soon. In any case, much love, thank you again!
Marie-Soleil Cha
2024-02-26 20:03:58 +0000 UTCI have yet to watch this movie, but now I think I’ll have to. Love the thoughts on how, sometimes you’re not good enough to pursue the things you love as a career, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on them. Frankly, if I weren’t typing from my phone I’d elaborate on that. xD Really nice to hear it said, I guess. Thank you for another wonderful episode. 💙💙
IndyDraws
2024-02-26 19:58:33 +0000 UTCApologies for Gandalf, immediately! Immense treatos for that unprovoked attack!
Lauren Frey
2024-02-26 19:14:15 +0000 UTCSo glad you guys did this movie! We sure appreciate you both and your team
Big Red Cube
2024-02-26 18:15:26 +0000 UTCThe amount of times I've shifted from dream to dream in the last decade is countless and I'm 26. I think the important takeaway from the last moments of this episode is that it's okay to move on from dreams and find something else to dream about. It's what gives me my motivation. Mourn the dreams you leave behind but don't let that deter you from finding hope in your next dream.
Davidlee S
2024-02-26 17:37:41 +0000 UTCSame, this movie was such a wonderful surprise for me. Loved every minute of it!
Carissa Cunningham
2024-02-26 17:05:20 +0000 UTCIm happy you did wonka love this movie and i even dressed up as wonka for it and got love for it love this
Josh Jones
2024-02-26 16:53:15 +0000 UTCFact checking you... Actually, I believe the correct screenwriting term for lowest of the low is 'dark night of the soul.'
Kate Larson
2024-02-26 16:24:22 +0000 UTCYay! I absolutely loved this movie! I didnt think I would but i had a smile on my face the entire time
Joshua Garza
2024-02-26 16:05:51 +0000 UTC
