Movie: Matilda

“Matilda” is a film directed by Danny DeVito based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl.  Mara Wilson plays Matilda Wormwood, a genius, brilliant and curious little girl who exemplifies to be voracious and hungry for knowledge, unlike her mainstream, tedious and complaining family.  She lives with her mother, Zinnia Wormwood, a sluggish and bottle-blond home shopaholic, her father, Harry Wormwood, a used-car salesman and loud-mouthed who degrades her continuously and Michael Wormwood, her older brother.  Her family cruelly ignores and leaves her alone for a long period of time at a young age.  Reading books from the public library satisfies her eagerness for knowledge. 

At the age of six, the mistreated and ignored Matilda is sent to a school run by a cruel and aggressive principal, Msis Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris).  On the first day of school, she befriends several children and her teacher Miss Jennifer Honey (Embeth Davidtz), a warm soul and adores her pupils, quickly realizes how smart Matilda is.  She also learns of Miss Trunchbull's nature and her unsympathetic and callous punishments of students. To manage with the nastiness of people in her life, Matilda begins to develop her latent psychic abilities.

 In the midst of all the chaos, Matilda finds love and care from her teacher, Miss  Honey.  She nurtures Matilda's potential and encourages her love of education. She also tells Matilda about her past.  Matilda decided to use her telekinetic powers to help Miss Honey, so she trains herself to use her ability at her own will.  

The movie climaxes when Matilda returns to Miss Trunchbull's house, wreaking destruction in an attempt to scare her away. She almost flees, but she finds Matilda's ribbon and realizes that she was there. Miss Trunchbull then visits Miss Honey's class to get Matilda to admit her guilt. She uses her powers to scare her.  After some time, Miss Honey moves back into her childhood home, adopts Matilda and becomes the new headmistress of the school. 

 "Matilda" was a hit movie. The setting of the movie was eccentric and melancholic in order to fascinate and to make it convincing to the viewers.  Moreover, the special effects that were exploited were just of right amount and simple but can be shocking at times.  The world of Matilda might be full of conflict and complications, but it is also full of love and surprises.   Matilda is an extraordinary person who must discover herself how to handle her complicated situation.  Though the movie is motivating, it can also be depressing for there are scenes that showed abuses, abandonment and desertion. The film might be upsetting at times but always overcome with promising and positive messages.  The appealing and affectionate character of Matilda plus the uncaring and unsympathetic attitudes of her family became more exciting and enjoying on screen than in the book.  The eccentric power of Matilda which was shown in a magical and mysterious way made its cinematography a thrilling one.  And the soundtrack was appealing that it suited well each in every part of the scene. 

Mara Wilson as the main character, young as she is was able to portray well the role as Matilda. The innocence and sweetness of her face suited the personality of the role she is playing. Her age contributed a lot because the story revolved mainly about children’s activities which made her easier to act. The director was able to put the movie together making its pacing balance wherein viewers can easily grasp the message of the story.  Although the film is for children, the director made sure that adults will also enjoy and can relate to it. It then turned out to be a classical family film with a timeless story, concrete acting, and a script that hits humor and drama.

             The message of the movie is that – it is not enough that you have a family but you should belong to it.  Belonging or being a part of the family shows your importance as a member.  In the movie, Matilda did not feel that she belongs to the family.  Her parents neglected her and did not even show that she is a part of the family which later found it with Miss Honey.  We may not always have a perfect family but with the effort of trying to be a part of it would somehow make it work.

It is an emotional and heartwarming children’s story made in to the big screen.  The movie is out of ordinary but gained the viewers heart to enjoy it.  It might be fantasy but most of the scenes can be possible to happen. And the overall message is tat good triumphed in the end.