Netflix Fantasy Comedy Adaptation Is A Masterpiece For All Ages
Child actors usually get a pretty bad rap for their acting skills. So it says something pretty special about an actor when their most beloved performances all come from when they were still a kid. That is the case for Mara Wilson, one of the most popular child stars of the ‘90s, and arguably her biggest hit, Matilda, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Based On The Roald Dahl Classic
If you have somehow gone this far in life without seeing Matilda, you are missing out on a movie where so much talent came together to make this project happen. The movie is based on the book of the same name by author Roald Dahl, who many know best as the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In addition to playing the father in the movie, Danny DeVito also directed the film.
A Little Girl With Powers
The movie follows the story of the titular Matilda, a young girl who loves books and learning which makes her the subject of much ridicule from her other family members. Teased and bullied for as long as she can remember, Matilda eventually realizes that she has the ability to control objects with her mind when she is upset. And she is given many reasons to be upset once she starts attending school.
One Of The Greatest Children’s Book Villains Ever
The school happens to be run by the vicious and abusive principal, Agatha Trunchbull, who tortures students who dare to cross her. But there is also a gentle and kind teacher at the school named Miss Honey, who takes Matilda under her wing to protect her. Matilda soon learns of a dark secret connection between Trunchbull and Miss Honey, and Matilda vows to help her teacher and the entire school get rid of the bully once and for all.
Found Success On Home Video
Today, Matilda is known as a classic children’s movie. However, upon release in 1996, it did not immediately find its audience, earning only $47 million against a $36 million budget. But upon release on home video, the movie became a cult classic that is still widely talked about today.
For Mara Wilson in particular, Matilda likely holds a special place in her heart. During the filming of the movie, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and wound up passing away before it could debut theatrically. However, DeVito showed Wilson’s mother the final edit of the movie so that she could see her daughter’s work while she still had a chance. So Matilda is the last movie Wilson’s mother ever got to see her in.
Pre-Dates Harry Potter
Perhaps if Matilda had released just a few years later, its popularity would have been a more immediate success. Others have not been able to help noticing the similarities between the movie and the Harry Potter stories.
A smart young child coming from an abusive home, only to find their true place in the world once they begin going to school and learn that they have magical powers. In retrospect, many have said that Matilda is essentially a Harry Potter movie from a girl’s perspective.
If this classic from the ‘90s has somehow eluded you all these years, you owe it to yourself to give Matilda a watch today. It is charming, funny, imaginative, and heartfelt. Check out one of Mara Wilson’s best films in this timeless children’s movie.
