Danny DeVito's directorial work always has a strange tone, even when compared to other black comedies, and that's often proven off-putting to audiences. Matilda is without a doubt his most successful (perhaps because Roald Dahl is also tonally askew), and I find a lot of little details to love in his adaptation of the story. Some comedy directors think it's enough to present a funny situation and have funny actors say funny lines, but DeVito understands that there are many more opportunities for comedy in film making, so you'll find humor in the set dressing, costumes, camera shots, editing, sound design, etc. Mara Wilson was THE child actress of the mid-90s and is great as the precocious girl who develops telekinetic powers that free her from an abusive home and school. Relatable in that I was a precocious reader too (just not, you know, A Tale of Two Cities in 1st grade), it's always great to see something that's about the power of reading. Aside from Wilson, there's a lot of great casting in the film, whether Rhea Pearlman getting to play DeVito's wife just like in real life, or the two FBI agents, for comic effect, but all the kids too, as well as Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris as the polar opposites of the school system. Matilda is a story about child abuse (or at least neglect), sure, but pitched from a child's eye view that makes it magical and fun. It might be a little scary for sensitive kids, but that's what gives it enduring appeal for older audiences.
One of the few movies from my childhood that I still love today. A very sweet film that still holds up, and a classic that children and grownups will enjoy. Nothing else to say other than:
"The perfect school is one in which
there are no children."
Love this movie! Everything about it is so well-done and the jokes are really funny. My fave quotation is: "I'm smart, you're dumb; I'm big, you're small; I'm right, you're wrong, and there's nothing you can do about it." :)
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Comments 1 - 12 of 12
EvaVilaPacheco
How can this not be on any list? Watched it when I was in 1st grade, still love it.kirameki
Bought a chocolate cake with my roommates and watched this yesterday. Aww yeah.Siskoid
Danny DeVito's directorial work always has a strange tone, even when compared to other black comedies, and that's often proven off-putting to audiences. Matilda is without a doubt his most successful (perhaps because Roald Dahl is also tonally askew), and I find a lot of little details to love in his adaptation of the story. Some comedy directors think it's enough to present a funny situation and have funny actors say funny lines, but DeVito understands that there are many more opportunities for comedy in film making, so you'll find humor in the set dressing, costumes, camera shots, editing, sound design, etc. Mara Wilson was THE child actress of the mid-90s and is great as the precocious girl who develops telekinetic powers that free her from an abusive home and school. Relatable in that I was a precocious reader too (just not, you know, A Tale of Two Cities in 1st grade), it's always great to see something that's about the power of reading. Aside from Wilson, there's a lot of great casting in the film, whether Rhea Pearlman getting to play DeVito's wife just like in real life, or the two FBI agents, for comic effect, but all the kids too, as well as Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris as the polar opposites of the school system. Matilda is a story about child abuse (or at least neglect), sure, but pitched from a child's eye view that makes it magical and fun. It might be a little scary for sensitive kids, but that's what gives it enduring appeal for older audiences.yukononun
One of the few movies from my childhood that I still love today. A very sweet film that still holds up, and a classic that children and grownups will enjoy. Nothing else to say other than:"The perfect school is one in which
there are no children."
fluffyclouds3
Love this movie! Everything about it is so well-done and the jokes are really funny. My fave quotation is: "I'm smart, you're dumb; I'm big, you're small; I'm right, you're wrong, and there's nothing you can do about it." :)oleole90
After aprox. 10 years I'v found this movie!!!! Love it since my childhood! My long lost favorite! :'(Oneironaut
Great memories of it.laurenpaige
This was my absoulute favorite movie as a child! I must have watched it over a dozen times!mdubs
Daaanaaa
Love it!juliahearts
classiccatherinefrances
ON MY WAY