Some of you may have watched the new movie on Netflix over Christmas break. I definitely did, and I had been waiting to see it for over a year.
Based on Roald Dahl’s book, Matthew Warchus’s Matilda the Musical tells the story of a neglected little girl with a love of books. After being deprived of education, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir) is overjoyed to learn that she will be attending school. She soon learns, though, that Crunchem Hall is a horrible place. The headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson), used to be an Olympic hammer-thrower, and she hates children. The school motto is even Bambinatum est Magitum; Children are Maggots.
Seeing many things wrong in her home and school, Matilda longs for a true home and tries to set things right. Inspired by her own desires, a story forms in Matilda’s mind, coming in bursts she calls “fizzes.” Centered around an acrobat and escapologist who yearn for a child, Matilda tells her story to her librarian friend, Mrs. Phelps (Sindhu Vee). Little does Matilda know that her story is true.
As Matilda tries to fix her bad situation, she learns that some things cannot be made right. Her anger and passion grow, and Matilda discovers she has the power to move things with her mind. With the help of Miss Honey (Lasnana Lynch), Matilda and her classmates overthrow Miss Trunchbull. And instead of moving to Spain with her criminal of a father (Stephen Graham) and her ballroom dancing mother (Andrea Riseborough), Matilda moves in with Miss Honey, who becomes headmistress of the formerly Crunchem Hall, now the Big Friendly School.
Songs like “Quiet” are slow and soft, showing you what Matilda truly feels like. Songs like “Revolting Children,” on the other hand, are loud and upbeat, making you want to join in the celebration of the Trunchbull’s downfall.
Matilda has been through many versions. The original movie, directed by Danny DeVito in 1996, was a bust, but the musical is amazing. Written by Dennis Kelly with music by Tim Minchin, Matilda the Musical started on West End in 2011, and it soon spread to Broadway, lasting from 2014-2017.
Some literary buffs might notice that the musical’s plotline is slightly different from the book, but the changes complement the story well. Usually, nothing can compare to Broadway, but the songs are pretty amazing. Fans will be pleased to hear that the movie takes quotes from the original musical script. The choreography is terrific. They also added a song called “Still Holding my Hand,” sung by Matilda and Miss Honey living happily ever after. It is wonderful and heartwarming. The only downside to the music is that the movie cut out three songs: “Loud,” sung by Matilda’s mother, “Telly,” sung by Matilda’s father, and “Pathetic,” sung by Miss Honey.
All in all, I give the movie a giant thumbs-up and encourage you to stop whatever you’re doing and watch it right now before I put you in Chokey.
P.S. Fans of the original stage production and book will be devastated to know that Michael Wormwood is not in the movie. Despite being Matilda’s mean, lazy bum of an older brother who only knows three words, he is the apple of his father’s eye. He is a favorite of the musical fans, and I know several people, including myself, who were devastated at his nonexistence in the movie.
But the movie is good, I promise.
About the Author:
This is my first year at TPS, and my Writing Fundamentals class with Mrs. Lilly has helped me, so when the Matilda the Musical movie came out, I decided to share my thoughts. I wanted to write this piece because I first fell in love with Matilda, the book. I then found out that the musical would be performed at the local theater where I live in North Carolina. I decided to audition and got the role of Matilda a year ago when I was eleven. It was one of my first theater experiences, and all the adults were nice, even those who played Matilda’s parents and the Trunchbull.
Image: Matilda The Musical. Directed by Matthew Warchus, Sony Pictures, 2022.