Review of Matilda (1996) by Meydianarizki — 25 Apr 2023

Matilda is a heartwarming and amusing movie based on the novel by Roald Dahl. The film follows the story of a young girl named Matilda Wormwood, who possesses extraordinary powers and has a vivid imagination. Matilda had to take care of herself from when she could walk because of her neglectful parents, leaving her to seek her comfort, happiness and refuge in books. Thus, she learned a lot beyond her age. For example: In the movie, Matilda had to make her own pancakes for breakfast because her parents were not at home; her father left to sell used cars at unfair prices and her mother went to play bingo, leaving only soup on the stove in case Matilda got hungry. However, Matilda’s life changes when she discovers her telekinetic power when forced to watch TV with the family by her father. Unbeknownst to her, the very next day, her father enrolls her in his new client school, Crunchem Hall Elementary School. The school is run by a Nazi-like figure, Miss Trunchbull Agatha, who is ruthlessly cruel and merciless towards the children. For instance, during her weekly classroom visits, Miss Trunchbull showed teachers how to handle kids, but when a boy named Julius Rottwinkle ate two M&M’s during her lesson, she threw him out of the window. On the other hand, Matilda’s teacher, Miss Honey, is a kind-hearted person who does her best to protect the kids from Miss Truncbull’s cruelty. For example: Miss Honey demonstrated care and kindness by taking out Amana Tripp’s braids and speaking warmly to her class, including introducing Matilda as if she were her own student. Throughout the movie, Miss Honey and Matilda form a teacher-student relationship which evolves into a close bond, and in the end, they become like a mother and daughter. Miss Honey reveals her painful past and her connection to Miss Trunchbull, but with Matilda’s help, she is able to regain her family home and her father’s money while also getting rid of Miss Trunchbull from the school and their lives. In the movie’s conclusion, Miss Honey requests Matilda’s parents to sign adoption papers, giving Matilda a happy ending.

Moreover, I love the movie Matilda because it has a family, comedy, humor and fantasy genre, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. It is heartwarming and touching, and the comedy made my stomach hurt from laughing. Furthermore, the movie addresses real-life issues such as abuse, neglect, and bullying, which are important themes that Matilda handles with a deft touch, not shying away from their realities. What’s more is that Matilda has won numerous awards, ranging from Best Performance by a Younger Actor to Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film, proving its popularity with the whole nation. That’s why I chose to write my movie review on Matilda, as it is one of my favorite films that I’ve watched many times.

Overall, Matilda is a delightful and fascinating movie that people of all ages should watch and re-watch because of its great performances and humor, making it a must-see film.