Matilda Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A super-smart kid with awful parents and a super-awful principal uses her mind powers to… solve everything, basically, while the adults act like cartoons.

🍿 Matilda: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Unwanted Child

Matilda Wormwood is an exceptionally intelligent and precocious young girl, unfortunately born into a family that neglects and misunderstands her. Her parents, Harry and Zinnia, are self-absorbed and value television over books, hindering Matilda’s intellectual development and treating her with disdain. Her older brother, Michael, is equally dismissive and cruel. Seeking solace and intellectual stimulation, Matilda teaches herself to read and frequents the local library, devouring classic literature and expanding her understanding of the world. She begins to subtly rebel against her parents’ neglect, using clever pranks to assert her independence and express her frustration.

Crunchem Hall and Miss Honey

Eventually, Matilda’s parents reluctantly enroll her in Crunchem Hall, a school run by the tyrannical headmistress Agatha Trunchbull. Trunchbull is a former athlete who rules the school with an iron fist, employing harsh punishments and instilling fear in the students. Despite the oppressive environment, Matilda finds a kindred spirit in her kind and gentle teacher, Miss Jennifer Honey. Miss Honey recognizes Matilda’s exceptional intelligence and attempts to nurture her talents, but is often thwarted by Trunchbull’s authoritarian control and her own personal struggles.

Unleashing Telekinetic Powers

Frustrated by the injustice and cruelty she witnesses at home and at school, Matilda begins to develop telekinetic powers. Initially, these powers manifest unconsciously during moments of intense emotion, such as when her father destroys her library book. As Matilda gains awareness of her abilities, she starts practicing and controlling them, using her powers to defend herself and others from Trunchbull’s tyranny. She also learns more about Miss Honey’s tragic past and the connection to Trunchbull, motivating her to use her powers to help her teacher.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Matilda (Mara Wilson): A gifted and intelligent young girl uses telekinetic powers to overcome her neglectful family and tyrannical headmistress.
• Mr. Wormwood (Danny DeVito): Matilda’s dishonest and ignorant father is a crooked car salesman under FBI investigation.
• Mrs. Wormwood (Rhea Perlman): Matilda’s superficial and neglectful mother is obsessed with bingo and oblivious to her daughter’s brilliance.
• Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris): The sadistic and tyrannical headmistress of Crunchem Hall terrorizes students with cruel punishments.
• Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz): Matilda’s kind and supportive teacher provides her with love, encouragement, and a safe haven from her difficult home life.
• Lavender (Kiami Davael): Matilda’s friend and classmate is a mischievous student who stands up to authority.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Matilda: “I’m smart, you’re dumb; I’m big, you’re little; I’m right, you’re wrong, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” – Matilda recites the phrase her father uses in the movie, revealing the twisted logic she’s subjected to at home.
• Miss Trunchbull: “A life is like a garden. Perfect results require perfect control.” – Miss Trunchbull says this to justify her abusive, controlling behavior toward the students and staff.
• Miss Honey: “Even if I’m in here, I’ll only be wishing I was out there.” – Miss Honey explains to Matilda how dreadful the chokey is, even for adults to contemplate.
• Mr. Wormwood: “You chose books, I chose looks.” – Said by Mr. Wormwood to Matilda, highlighting their stark differences and his superficial values.
• Matilda: “I didn’t do it, but I wish I had.” – Matilda says this about the newt, and it is said with confidence when being wrongfully accused by Miss Trunchbull.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $36,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,459,416
• Worldwide Gross: $33,460,753

💥 Matilda Reviews

Personal Review

I adore ‘Matilda’! It’s one of those movies that makes me feel good, even though it tackles some tough themes. Mara Wilson is perfect as Matilda, and Pam Ferris is hilariously terrifying as Trunchbull. The scene where Bruce Bogtrotter has to eat the cake is iconic! I watch it every time it’s on TV.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Roald Dahl’s books”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fantasy and children’s films”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming story with a strong female lead”
  • “Those who appreciate dark humor and quirky characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Bullying”
  • “Child neglect and emotional abuse”
  • “Mild violence and scary scenes”
  • “Authoritarian figures and injustice”

Professional Reviews

• Cracked: “While the humor is dark, and the adults are caricatures, ‘Matilda’ presents a subversive message about intelligence and kindness triumphing over ignorance and cruelty. It’s a treat for those who felt like outcasts.
• TV Shows Ace: “Tigerlily says Adnan Actually Has Soft Spot For Niles?
• Bethany Cox: “I absolutely love this movie. It is dark, funny, charming and brooding, and captures the essence of the book perfectly. The whole film is beautifully photographed, looking lush and crisp.

Audience Reactions

The exaggerated characters and dark humor resonate with viewers, particularly Trunchbull.: Pam Ferris’s performance as Miss Trunchbull and Wilson’s work as Matilda are widely praised

The film’s portrayal of adults as villains is also praised, especially DeVito and Perlman.: The movie has a large number of fans, and the special effects have largely aged well, making it a fun watch for families.

Overall Consensus: A beloved family film that resonates with audiences of all ages, although some find the tone too dark for younger children.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mara Wilson’s mother passed away during filming, which deeply affected the production. Danny DeVito was very supportive during this difficult time.”
• “Danny DeVito not only directed and starred in the film, but he also served as the narrator, adding a unique and personal touch to the storytelling.”
• “The iconic scene of Bruce Bogtrotter eating the chocolate cake required Jimmy Karz to consume a large amount of real cake, which he admitted to enjoying despite the challenge.”

🖥️ How to Watch Matilda?

Matilda is widely available for streaming rental or purchase. You can find it on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. Additionally, physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Matilda, you might like these similar films:

• The Witches (1990): Another Roald Dahl adaptation with dark humor and fantastical elements, featuring children confronting evil adults.
• Carrie (1976): Features a young girl with telekinetic powers who uses them against those who mistreat her, exploring themes of revenge and empowerment.
• School of Rock (2003): A feel-good movie about children breaking away from authority. With the help of someone, they showcase their true and hidden talents.
• A Little Princess (1995): Highlights a young girl who, despite suffering hardships, maintains her spirit and kindness, ultimately finding a better life.

🛒 Matilda Related Products

• Matilda (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray edition of the classic film, featuring improved picture and sound quality for an enhanced viewing experience.
• Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The original Roald Dahl novel that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into Matilda’s world and her unique perspective.
• Matilda: The Musical: Movie musical adaptation of the musical production based on the Roald Dahl book.
• Miss Trunchbull Action Figure: A detailed action figure of the iconic Miss Trunchbull, capturing her menacing presence and unique style, a perfect addition to any collector’s shelf.

🎧 Soundtrack

Matilda features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Send Me On My Way” – performed by Rusted Root

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Matilda Cast Then and Now

Curious to see how the iconic cast of Matilda has changed since the movie’s release? This video takes you on a journey through time, showcasing their transformations and offering a glimpse into their lives today. Get ready for a nostalgic trip!

Matilda: A Story of Chosen Families

Ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind Matilda’s unconventional family? This video delves into the theme of chosen families, examining how it shapes the characters’ relationships and challenges societal norms. It’s a thought-provoking analysis that will enrich your understanding of the movie.

Matilda ~ Lost in Adaptation

How faithful was the Matilda movie to the beloved book? This video takes you on a comparative journey, revealing the changes made and exploring the reasons behind them. Get ready to see Matilda from a different perspective and appreciate the unique vision of the filmmakers.

Roald Dahl KILLED Matilda.

Did you know there was more to Matilda than meets the eye? This video uncovers some surprising elements that were left on the cutting room floor, giving you a glimpse into the author’s original vision for the story. Prepare to be intrigued by the secrets behind Matilda!

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