“Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse.” So begins the story of one Matilda Wormwood.
Matilda is a delightful child stuck in a family that doesn’t appreciate her and most of the time, downright ignores her. Her father sells used cars (well, more like used lemons) and thinks nothing of giving somebody a raw deal-especially the IRS. Her mother would rather do her nails and watch soap operas and her brother resembles a sloth. Matilda, however, is completely the opposite. She’s incredibly smart, funny and loves to learn. She’s desperate to attend school, but her parents think it’s a waste of time.
Through a chance meeting, Matilda’s parents decide to send her to a private school, run by a woman the students call The Trunchbull. Miss Trunchbull is a mean, abusive woman who hates children and loves to make them miserable.
Despite the ogre of a principal, Matilda is thrilled to be at school and loves her teacher Miss Honey. Miss Honey is the opposite of Miss Trunchbull (who turns out to be her older sister). She genuinely cares for her students, and wants to see them learn and grow. As she grows closer to Matilda, she realizes that Matilda is smarter than she should be, and does all she can to encourage her. Out of frustration at her parents, one evening Matilda discovers something amazing about herself. She has the power to make things move, just by thinking about it. Matilda puts her powers to good use by protecting the other students from Miss Trunchbull and makes sure the woman never tortures another student again.
“Matilda” is a delightful movie, and Mara Wilson captures her perfectly on screen. Some scenes may be disturbing for younger, sensitive viewers (Miss Trunchbull is a little frightening and downright nasty- in one scene she tosses a girl by her braids, though it is handled slightly comically and the girl is saved by Matilda’s powers) but on the whole it is a movie the family can watch together. Our five-year-old really enjoyed it. It emphasizes the importance of learning, family and how we are all important, no matter how small we might be.
MPAA rating: PG for exaggerated meanness and ridicule, and some mild language
Stars: Mara Wilson, Danny Devito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris
Based on the book by Roald Dahl