Matilda

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by M. Faust

Based on Roald Dahl's popular book, this fantasy explores themes of youthful independence and personal identity. From the moment she's born, Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) couldn't be more different from her family. Her father (Danny DeVito) is an unscrupulous used car salesman, and her mother (Rhea Perlman) is a ninny who spends every day playing Bingo. Matilda learns to take care of herself, and she's incredibly smart. When her father finally allows her to go to school, it's a dream come true for Matilda. Her sprits sag only a little when she finds that the principal, Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), openly hates all kids. Fortunately, Matilda's teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) recognizes Matilda's exceptional abilities (which include some telekinetic powers) and becomes her loyal friend.

Is It Any Good?

There are few people who don't sometimes feel unappreciated, misused, and misunderstood. Adolescents are especially prone to such feelings as they come to grips with the world around them. Those are the feelings that MATILDA recognizes and confronts. Young Matilda has a bum deal with a family that can't begin to understand how special she is. Yet she never lets this get her down for long, always making the best of whatever situation she's in.

For younger children, though, especially those having some particularly difficult growing pains, Matilda may nurture morbid thoughts. Matilda is able to free herself from a family that's thoroughly boorish, but kids in real life have to learn to make connections with the people around them, not look for ways to run away. It's a difficult lesson, but most kids will accept that this is an exaggerated fantasy. In fact, the exaggeration is what makes it so much fun. As both star and director, DeVito retains the devilish sense of fun that marks most of his films. Although he hasn't really made a film here for kids (at least not younger ones), he knows how to appeal to and present a child's perspective. Potentially scary scenes, such as Miss Trunchbull's spinning a girl around by her pigtails, are never really frightening because they're just too silly and the movie itself is so non-threatening.