The 1996 filmMatildais based on the 1988 children’s book of the same name by Roald Dahl and is about the titular five-year-old girl gifted with intelligence and telekinesis powers. Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) lives with her parents and brother, all of whom misunderstand and mistreat her. She is the oddball in her family, although she is the only normal one. Her father, Harry (Danny DeVito), is a crooked car salesman, and after selling a car to Miss Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), who is the principal of Crunchem Hall Elementary School, he agrees to send his daughter to the school. There, Matilda meets and befriends Lavender, a classmate, and Miss Honey, her teacher.
Together, with the help of her new friends, Matilda overthrows the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull and escapes the abusiveness of her family.Matildais a classic tale of how children can overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. Mara Wilson is absolutely adorable as Matilda and brings a sense of pride and self-worth to her role without coming across as arrogant or obnoxious. Her sidekick and soon-to-be best friend, Lavender (Kiami Davael), brings humor, joy, and diversity to the film without falling into the normal person of color stereotypes.
Lastly, Miss Honey shows that it’s possible to be a single mother and have a career. In addition to the film,Matildahas also become a musical with a successful run on both Broadway and the West End, although the tone of the musical is very different from the tone of the 1996 film. However, both the movie and the musical promote several positive values including bravery, independence, loyalty, and the importance of friendship. This is what makesMatildathe perfect children’s story.
You’re Never Too Young to Stand Up for Yourself or Your Friends
While Matilda may be small, she proves throughout the film that you’re never too young or small to stand up for yourself or your friends. First, Matilda stands up for herself against her toxic and obnoxious family. This is impressive in itself as many parents teach their children to be obedient and respectful. While Matilda is not obedient to her parents, she is still respectful and does not mirror the bad behavior shown to her by them. Furthermore, she gives Miss Honey the courage to stand up to her aunt, Miss Trunchbull, and reclaim her home.
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Besides encouraging Miss Honey, Matilda also encourages Bruce. Her small act of encouragement rallies the entire school to support Bruce in his quest to finish every last bite of his giant chocolate cake. In fact, every time Miss Trunchbull rains down terror on the school, the students all support each other, and in the end, their school becomes a happy place where children never want to leave when Miss Honey takes over as principal. This shows a world where anything is possible when you have the courage to stand up for yourself and what is right.
Matilda Is a Strong, Independent, Feminine Protagonist
Matilda may be just five years old at the start of the movie, but she proves that age doesn’t matter as she is fiercely independent. She looks up the library’s address by herself, then walks the ten blocks every day, back and forth, until the librarian tells her she can get a library card of her own. During those early years with no one to look out for her, the “books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: you are not alone," as the Roald Dahl book and narration goes.
The Film Promotes Reading and Education
It can sometimes be a challenge to get kids interested in reading and learning. Therefore, movies that make these things look cool and fun are always perfect for children.Matildapromotes reading and education. First, she’s an avid reader, spending much of her free time with books. Additionally, Miss Honey also reads, while thehorrible or evil charactersdon’t. This promotes that reading is a good thing that helps make you smart and brave.
In addition, the film paints education in a positive light. One of the most important scenes in the movie is when Miss Honey visits Matilda’s home to discuss her education and stellar performance in school. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood laugh and sneer at Miss Honey’s idea of getting Matilda ready for early college. Miss Honey defends education by describing the importance of educated people, such as doctors or lawyers. In the end, Matilda and Miss Honey both get their happy ending, thus reinforcing the idea that good things do happen to highly educated people.
There Is No Unnecessary Love Interest
Everyone enjoys a good love story, and Hollywood loves to indulge us. However, sometimes a love story isn’t necessary for the plot, and too often it just seems like it’s in the film in order to just check the box and be present. In the case ofMatilda, there is no romantic interest for her, and she doesn’t need one.
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While the film hasplenty of platonic lovebetween Matilda and Miss Honey, and her friends, Matilda is a strong independent young girl who doesn’t need the love of a boy to give her worth. Instead, she is perfectly happy just to have a family and friends. Likewise, Miss Honey does not have a love interest, as she learns to be confident and content with herself with the love and support of Matilda. This gives children a positive message that they are enough on their own.
Matilda Gets Her Fairytale Ending
After having suffered mistreatment at the hands of her parents, her brother, and the mean school principal Miss Trunchbull, Matilda gets the happy ending she deserves. Having successfully scared off Miss Trunchbull, who drives away in her car never to be seen or heard from again, Matilda gets adopted by the kind and compassionate Miss Honey.
From there, Matilda’s former family flees to Guam to avoid the FBI and leaves Matilda in Miss Honey’s care. Miss Honey becomes the principal of the school, and Matilda and Miss Honey enjoy a happy life together. As we hear at the end of the film, “The happiest part of the story, is that Matilda and Miss Honey each got what they had always wanted: a loving family.” Sometimes just a lovely family can be a fairytale ending.
