D is for Doppelganger

There are more important things I could write about, but here's all I have time for:

Carolyn and I are big Johnny Depp fans and I was looking forward to bringing the boys to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, until I saw the previews. Depp's Willy Wonka is creepy-looking... Given Gene Wilder's enchanting portrayal in the 1971 movie, there has been some question as to how Depp intends to make the character his own. No one will mistaken Depp's 1920's bob for Wilder's curly mop. Now, judging by his wardrobe, many have opined that Michael Jackson has been his inspiration though Depp has vehemently denied it - possibly because an accused child molester makes a bad tie-in for a children's movie... Can you imagine Michael Jackson singing The Candy Man?

I, however, believe his fey metrosexual look is derived from Donna Tartt. They could be sisters, I mean, brother and sister... Tartt, author of The Secret History - story of a New England college murder - and The Little Friend - a child murder mystery, but this time in the deep South - makes a better muse particularly for Tim Burton's love of the gothic and macabre. I think Depp's Wonka gives me the heebie jeebies as he reminds me of Tartt's photo - stern headmistress only moments away from beating a naughty student with a hickory switch. Also a bad tie-in for a children's movie...

Any way, I'm not sure what the buzz is for the movie, but here's my two cents worth...