MATILDA
A film review by Tim Voon
Copyright 1997 Tim Voon
Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris, Paul Reubens, Tracey Walter Director: Danny DeVito Screenplay: Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord based on the book by Roald Dahl Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky Music: David Newman
'I'm smart and you're dumb. I'm big and you're small. I'm right and you're wrong.'
I certainly hope that you don't speak to your children in such a condescending manner.
Matilda has parents from hell. This bright, intelligent little girl prefers to read than to watch T.V., has a passionate desire to learn, and attend school. All of which is strongly discouraged by her parents who believe a quick buck is better than an education. Her schooling is also a place of nightmares where Miss Trunchbull, the head mistress, tosses children around by their hair, locks them away in an iron maiden, and believes 'a perfect school is where there are no children at all'.
Sure this maybe an exaggeration of the 'evil adults' theme, but children do not have a voice when they are mistreated and abused. In this remarkable story, Roald Dahl gives the child the power and ability to fight back, and Matilda does so with a vengeance that is worth watching.
This is a movie for both young and old, where the magic of imagination is the central theme. Sit back and enjoy, and for a moment you may remember what it was like to be a child.
Great direction and acting from DeVito, with a strong supporting cast. Roald Dahl at his imaginative best.
Comment: Magical.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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