Matilda Wormwood (portrayed by Alisha Weir in her debut) is an exceptionally intelligent and precocious child with a penchant for storytelling and burgeoning telekinetic abilities. Seeking refuge from her neglectful and unloving parents, she enrolls in Crunchem Hall, where she encounters the tyrannical headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (Thompson), who has a penchant for cruelty.
Emma Thompson as Agatha Trunchbull in “Matilda”
Roald Dahl’s Eccentric World
Roald Dahl’s works are often characterized by their eccentricity and even cruelty, where adults gleefully “devour” innocent and honest children. “Matilda” stands out in the writer’s career, and its initial screen adaptation, directed by Danny DeVito, is highly regarded. In 2010, the tale was transformed into a theatrical musical, first staged in the West End and later on Broadway. The musical introduced complex compositions that tempered the original’s sarcastic tone and the protagonist’s inventive mischief. This new version is an adaptation of the adaptation, featuring the same theatrical soundtrack, and promises to be a captivating experience for both children and adults who find themselves living in “revolting” times, as aptly described in one of the main songs.
Alisha Weir as Matilda in “Matilda”
A Musical Adaptation with a Touch of Saccharine
Matthew Warchus, the director behind the heartwarming sensation “Pride” (2014), helmed this cinematic musical. Warchus spent nearly a decade in development, attempting to bring Dahl’s text to the screen with the help of composer Tim Minchin and librettist Dennis Kelly. The result is a protracted spectacle with an overabundance of saccharine elements. Matilda herself loses some of her devilish charm. Despite her optimistic portrayal and earnest efforts, Irish newcomer Alisha Weir diligently follows the musical notes and choreography, but struggles to develop the on-screen charisma and elusive “it” factor. Matilda is surrounded by a rural English setting, seemingly detached from time, devoid of cell phones but abundant with books. These books become her only friends, as her parents (played by Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough, who effectively convey their irritating nature) treat Matilda as a son (a desired but unrealized wish), consider her a burden, and neglect her education. Help arrives in the form of Miss Honey (played by the wonderful Lashana Lynch), who recognizes Matilda’s potential and invites her to join Crunchem Hall.
Andrea Riseborough as Mrs. Wormwood in “Matilda”
Thompson’s Trunchbull Steals the Show
At her young age, Matilda is familiar with the works of Dostoevsky and Tolkien, effortlessly solves high school-level equations, and gradually discovers her latent telekinetic powers. These powers shift the balance of power in the school, which is ruled by the dictatorial headmistress, Miss Agatha Trunchbull. Viewers who typically dislike musicals might want to watch “Matilda” solely for Thompson’s performance. With primal screams, she dominates the space, tortures children with chocolate cake, swings them by their pigtails, and subjects them to the most brutal ostracism imaginable. Initially, the role of Trunchbull could have gone to another “Harry Potter” alumnus, Ralph Fiennes, who undoubtedly would have delivered a spectacular show. However, Thompson leaves no chance for any hypothetical competitors, captivating the screen with her invigorating camp. For Trunchbull, children are expendable, repulsive fodder; for the audience, Trunchbull is a rare source of distilled, comedic evil in an era of sterile infantilism.
In other respects, “Matilda” predictably reiterates the futility of controlling children and proposes a rosy utopia where a little anarchy would benefit everyone. It serves as a decent annual reminder, but it is unlikely and unnecessary to aspire to the status of an immortal classic.