Roald Dahl's short story for children was produced and adapted for the screen by Danny DeVito who also stars in it along with his wife in real life Rhea Perlman. They play the parents of Matilda, a child they neglect with some amazing powers and resourcefulness.
The British origins of the story are unmistakable even though the location is in America with DeVito in that most American of occupations, a used car dealer. DeVito is typical of the breed and Perlman is from the Peg Bundy school for mothers. Young Matilda played by Mara Wilson has learned to be resourceful on her own.
When her parents finally send her to school she meets up with a real adult friend and a real adult enemy. She meets an empathetic teacher in Ms. Honey played by Embeth Davidtz and a principal from the Buchenwald school of education in Pam Ferris.
Please note the Dickensian names for the characters. Ms. Honey is the good teacher, Matilda's parents are the Wormwoods and Ferris's principal has a really great character name in Agatha Trunchbull. There's something between Davidtz and Ferris, but I can't reveal that because it's part and parcel of the story.
Matilda ranks right up there with Dahl's other children's fantasies like Willy Wonka and James And The Giant Peach. Kids of all ages will admire Matilda's pluck and the hidden powers she possesses. And Ferris as Ms. Trunchbull will scare any kid.
Good Lord, she scared me.
The British origins of the story are unmistakable even though the location is in America with DeVito in that most American of occupations, a used car dealer. DeVito is typical of the breed and Perlman is from the Peg Bundy school for mothers. Young Matilda played by Mara Wilson has learned to be resourceful on her own.
When her parents finally send her to school she meets up with a real adult friend and a real adult enemy. She meets an empathetic teacher in Ms. Honey played by Embeth Davidtz and a principal from the Buchenwald school of education in Pam Ferris.
Please note the Dickensian names for the characters. Ms. Honey is the good teacher, Matilda's parents are the Wormwoods and Ferris's principal has a really great character name in Agatha Trunchbull. There's something between Davidtz and Ferris, but I can't reveal that because it's part and parcel of the story.
Matilda ranks right up there with Dahl's other children's fantasies like Willy Wonka and James And The Giant Peach. Kids of all ages will admire Matilda's pluck and the hidden powers she possesses. And Ferris as Ms. Trunchbull will scare any kid.
Good Lord, she scared me.