"I'm smart; you're dumb. I'm big; you're little. I'm right; you're wrong and there's nothing you can do about it!" Or there is, it seems, as shown by a misunderstood Matilda who starts life in the unfortunate household of Mr and Mrs Wormood, whose cruel words and greedy outlook on life fuels an anger in Matilda that spurs her ability to create magic and use it for good, of course.
Danny DeVito directs this 1996 screen adaptation of best-seller Road Dahl's fictional novel, Matilda putting his unique vision onto the screen in a classic, fun and adventurous feature. Young superstar Mara Wilson stars as Matilda, the unwanted daughter of antagonised parents; Harry and Zinnia Wormwood (Danny DeVito and on and off-screen wife Rhea Perlman) who's special character shows at an early age as she begins to read through everything she can find making her an extremely smart, witty and brave individual with a knowledge and manor way beyond her years. Her favourite books transport her into worlds of adventure, hero's and make-believe however soon she realises that she has a magic of her own.At six and a half, Matilda is granted her greatest wish- to go to school, however when she arrives Crunchem Hall Elementary School is not how she imagined, with intimidatingly grey grounds and a wicked and pitiless headmistress, Mrs Trunchball (Pam Ferris) who is notorious for locking unruly students in the 'chokey', Matilda's only escape is the class-room, which has an entirely different atmosphere created by the caring and affectionate Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) who appreciates Matilda for her brilliant intelligence. As Matilda develops a loving relationship with Miss Honey she soon finds out secrets about Mrs Trunchball's and Miss Honey's past giving her the opportunities to put her newly found magic to the test.
Mara Wilson is the perfect choice for Matilda with her adorable nature and sometimes dazzling, sometimes mischievous smile, she portrays Dahl's heroin with all the magic and imagination from the original and enchantingly wonderful novel. Partners DeVito and Perlman are well suited to the comic double of The Wormwoods playing the obnoxious and greedy caricatures that evoke both dark humour and hilarious stupidity. Ferris perfects the exaggerated 'baddy' and Mrs Trunchball's tyrannical presence is felt every time she dominates the screen. Davidtz wonderfully portrays Miss Honey and like the name, she personifies sweetness. You might have already guessed it but in my opinion the casting strikes gold.
The musical soundtrack to Matilda is further to credit for my love for the film with a mischievous score that drives scenes of Matilda's humour, Mrs Trunchball's rage and lots of magic. The score is composed by David Newman and is accompanied by two songs; Thurston Harris' bouncing 'Little Bitty Pretty One' and Rusted Root's 'Send Me on My Way' featured twice in the film.
DeVito has transformed one of my favourites of Dahl's imaginative worlds from book to screen encapsulating all the fun originally intended, making, for me, one of my all-time favourite childhood films. However having watched it recently for the first time in a long time, I have discovered that now I love it even more!
