Film Review: MATILDA

MATILDA is a bookworm, your children will surely love.

she is fond of reading books instead of playing around...

She's not your ordinary kid, she is a lovely girl...

she's smart, she know numbers.

she can teach you how to read...

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is one of my favourite classic film and yes it was originally a book turned-to-movie by author Roald Dahl (like every other good books). This film literally influenced me as a child. This is the reason I am addicted to books. :) I will always wanna view this film every now and then whenever I can, it excites me! I would probably pass it on to my children and grandchildren... I widh to read the book as well to see the sophisticated details and compare it the the film as well.

photo courtesy of moviegoods.com

The film revolves on a child named Matilda Wormwood. She came from a very lousy family that doesn't her appreciate her gifts and unique talent. When she was a newly born baby, her parents leave her at the back of the car after they picked her up at the hospital! At four years old, she was always home alone all day. Her parents expect her to take care of herself despite of her very young age...

The Wormwood Household

Her father, Harry Wormwood works as a crooked car dealer who cheats delapilated cars and sell them at a very high price, her mother, Zinnia Wormwood on the other hand, plays bingo, shop till she drop and is always on the run for her self beautification routine. Her only and older brother Michael goes to school and is always on the look out on how to tease little Matilda. Unlike Matilda, her family loves watching TV that her father refuses Matilda's request of buying her a book.

One night, her father became irritated after Matilda refuses to watch TV and read a book instead. She had been a casual public library visitor, reading books one after another, of different topics and stories. Mrs. Phelps, the kind librarian, appreciates Matilda's love for books hence, she allow Matilda to have her own library card and to take home books she is currently reading.

There are times when her father was unaware he is teaching her daughter the 'truths in life' that are quite ironic because basically he himself is donning against it. For instance, when Matilda correctly adds up the earnings of his dad without looking on it, his dad accused her of cheating and send her to her room saying "when a person is bad, that person needs to be punished!". Matilda, as a smart little girl decided to take this matter to her hands again, as judged by the books she read, her dad is bad, hence he needs to be punished.

She exchange bottles in the bathroom that causes her dad's hair to grey, puts glue on his dad's hat when they were in his car deal warehouse, and create chaos in the restaurant they entered.

MR. Harry Wormwood on his Car Dealer Warehouse and his famous hat on! lol

There are some events when Matilda is not conscious about her powers. When her dad insist her of watching TV instead of reading, the television exploded.

As she insisted on studying, her parents decided to enroll her st Crunchem Hall Elementary School. where in children are terrorized by the obnoxiously cruel principal, Agatha Trunchbull. Her schoolmates told her that the worst punishment ever was the Chokey, a small phone-booth like box that has nails and sharp jagged edges where in children are forced to stay in alone, or worst by twos.

The Chokey!

Her first day, was unforgettable, sad and happy. Sad, because a girl was thrown out in the yard by her pony tail, and happy because her teacher Miss Honey is so sweet and appreciate her talent.

The next day, the principal called out to students thru a voice box and told them that they were to go to the theatre hall and to witness the punishing of Bruce Bogtrotter who was accuse of stealing a piece of cake earlier in the canteen. His punishment? Sweep out the whole cake the canteen cook, an old lady with mucus on both hands and nose had made. Bruce was terrified! But through the cheers Matilda had started, he finished the task!

Can you imagine how enormous that cake would have been in a plate like that???

Good for Bruce, Bad for Matilda. Miss Trunchbull's unwanted attention was now on hers. First, because her dad sold her a defective car, second, because of the 'Bruce incident'. She was to go to the Chokey, but Miss Honey rescued her. And that was the start of a sweet friendship!

After school, Matilda insisted of walking Miss Honey home, because to her she was not just a teacher, she's warmer than her mother and she felt loved for the first time! Miss Honey deep inside felt the same way...

Miss Honey on her desk... :)

Miss Honey told Matilda a story about a little girl who lost her mother at a young age... Her father remarried and suddenly died after a mysterious death, but the police believed he killed himself. With a fake will, the girl lost her house and inheritance because of her step mother. The girl was forced to move out of the house and bought a new cottage, but leave her precious possessions behind.

Matilda saw Miss Honey's home and realize that she was the little girl in her own story and that the stepmother she was talking about was Principal Trunchbull! She even thought that Agatha Trunchbull killed Magnus, and Miss Honey agreed. 

Matilda insisted to go visit her childhood house and take a sneak peak. The house was cold. Above the chimney, a portrait of her stepmom holding a javelin is hanging there replacing the old portrait of he father, Magnus.

The wooden box full of different coloured wrapped chocolates and candies!

There are changes, but there are some that remains, like the box of chocolate Miss Honey used to get sweets from. Matilda tried to get two for each of them, but Miss Honey told her they couldn't because Principal Trunchbull would know it! Unfortunately, Miss Trunchbull returned and felt that something is wrong. Someone is in her house! They didn't get any chocolates, they didn't get Miss Honey's doll but they manage to outsmart her and escape without any harm...

At home, Matilda realizes her power. She developed an extraordinary skill. She practice to control her telekinetic ability and decided to go to Trunchbull's house at night.

She got Miss Honey's doll, two chocolates, and scare the wits out of Miss Trunchbull! Horrified that Magnus was haunting her, she ran to her car but got suspicious when she saw Matilda's red ribbon entanged around her car's window lock...

Excited, matilda gave Miss Honey her doll, and together they ate the chocolates while she tried to tell and show Miss Honey her powers. The class started and Miss Trunchbull arrived. She confronts Matilda. But she uses her power to pose as Miss Honey's dead father and terrified her again. The scene was hilariously fun! The other students from the other room realizes what happen and joined in throwing lunch boxes to the cruel principal. Shedrives off and leave the town for good. Never heard or seen. :)

Matilda really love Miss Honey and frequently visits her. One day, her parents came crashing in and ask for Matilda to say goodbye to Miss Honey for they are fleeing to Guam because her father is wanted for illegal dealings.

Matilda and Miss Honey protested! It's a good thing that Matilda have some adoption papers ready in her bag. Reluctant at first, but her parents gave in.

In the long run, Matilda and Miss Honey officially became family. Miss Honey became the new principal of Crunchem Hall Elementary School and Matilda was allowed to use her powers for useful reasons only. They both realize that they finally are having a dream come true: a loving family.

I hope to more read books and watch films that are similar to Matilda, light hearted, very well plotted, filled with encouragement and moral lessons.

Do you know Matilda? Have you read it, watched it, or both?

What is your favorite classic children book/film?