From what I understand about the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story, the idea is that Willy Wonka is supposed to appear to be somewhat unexcited on purpose. It's his whole idea. He doesn't really want to stop the kids from what they're doing. Only the good ones who are naturally good (without being told to) are the kind he wants running his factory.
But then, what can you expect from Tim Burton?
As far as the Michael Jackson case, I don't know if it's true or not, or where I heard it, but what I heard was that the family was a family of con artists or something like that, who went around doing this kind of thing?
I don't recall exactly the story, but I remember hearing something like that. Can anybody tell me if they have also heard this or, if not, that I am going crazy? (I've suspected it for a long time now anyway)