Monthly Movie: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Welcome back to Monthly Movie! Today I'll be chatting about the 2022 musical Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical.

As always, the inclusion of a movie in a Monthly Movie post does not necessarily mean my endorsement of said film for all ages.

A Summary

Matilda Wormwood's parents never wanted children, and now they're being given a fine for neglecting to provide their young daughter with an education. But just because no one taught her doesn't mean Matilda isn't smart - she's highly intelligent, having taught herself everything she knows through library books. Her strong sense of justice gets her branded as a troublemaker, and Matilda finds herself sent to Crunchem Hall, a school run by the cruel headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, who calls the students maggots and does not tolerate children - especially children like Matilda who question her. What Agatha Trunchbull does not expect is that it will only take one child to start a revolt.

What I Liked

I found Matilda to be a very likeable character. She's smart, and loves reading.

Miss Honey: Is maths your favorite thing?

Matilda: It's okay. What I really like is reading. It's like a holiday in your head.

Miss Honey: And do you do that a lot? Get away from everything? In books, I mean.

Matilda: Oh, yeah. I've read loads this week.

Miss Honey: Loads. In one week? So, which books did you read this week?

Matilda: Nicholas Nickleby. Jane Eyre. Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Of Mice and Men. The Lord of the Rings. Moby Dick. Crime and Punishment. And The Cat in the Hat.

Matilda is also different from her friends - and not just because of her avid reading habits. In the song "Quiet", Matilda sings,

But I wonder if inside my head/I'm not just a bit different from some of my friends/These answers that come into my mind unbidden/These stories delivered to me unwritten/And when everyone shouts they seem to like shouting/The noise in my head is incredibly loud/And I just wish they'd stop

But Matilda's differences become her superpower.

Eric: Can you do telekenipsis? It's where you have loads of brains. They squish out through your eyes, and you can move things with your mind.

Sure enough, Matilda discovers she can move things via telekinesis. And she uses that power to stop Agatha Trunchbull and provide justice for the students of Crunchem Hall.

Yes, Matilda is "a little bit naughty", as she sings in the aptly named song "Naughty", and evidenced when she visits the traveling librarian.

But adults like the librarian and her teacher, Miss Honey, encourage Matilda to do the right thing.

Matilda: Where's the revenge section?

Mrs Phelps: Two wrongs don't make a right.

The songs are fun and catchy, and the script is well written and acted, making Matilda a fun musical for families.

Content

Violence:

Agatha Trunchbull is cruel to the children at her school, throwing one girl over a wall by her pigtails, stretching out a boy's ears, and doing various other nasty things (no injuries are seen). Matilda tells a story about a circus performer who "broke every bone in her body". She also uses telekinesis to exact revenge on Agatha Trunchbull, hitting her in the head with a cup and throwing her out a window.

Language:

H- used three times. God's name is used in vain once. Various general insults.

Other:

Matilda's mother wears a somewhat revealing dress. Circus performers wear tights. Adults are seen drinking alcohol. Children exact revenge. Some brief humor involving belching and passing gas.

Conclusion

The 2022 version of Matilda is both poignant and fun, with a courageous young protagonist and catchy tunes. Families should keep a few content issues in mind for the youngest viewers, but for older kids, teens, and adults, this musical is a winner.