Director: Danny DeVito
Starring: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman and Mara Wilson
‘A Beautiful Adaptation’
Not many actors that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Danny DeVito. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1980’s, DeVito has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s confidential news reporters, patients with mental disorders or circus performers, DeVito has portrayed several interesting characters. Arguably, DeVito’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. DeVito has never been afraid taking risks in his career playing complex characters that aren’t always likeable. An actor which has always had a powerful sense of commitment, DeVito has become a beloved icon in the world of entertainment. Through his ability to create compelling characters which audiences easily relate to, DeVito has become a renowned actor whose timeless movies audiences have grown to value. Throughout his strong career, DeVito has made several unforgettable movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of DeVito and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Matilda” is my favourite. Since release in 1996, DeVito’s movie has become a classic. With the most family-friendly movie of his career, DeVito did an extraordinary job of adapting a great Roald Dahl book. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and engrossing acting, it’s one of the best literature adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance from Danny DeVito, who portrays a strict father struggling to care for a gifted child. Ultimately, what makes “Matilda” a magical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Roald Dahl adaptations targeted to children, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about the importance of raising gifted kids that will definitely resonate with everyone. A captivating adaptation of a beloved book about magical children, there are several reasons why “Mathilda” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic book, “Mathilda” tells the story of a gifted girl with superpowers which cause a dilemma. Mara Wilson portrays Matilda, a gifted young girl which is born with magical powers. Matilda has always had huge dreams of becoming successful by acquiring an education. Despite her gifted personality, Mathilda’s parents have never understood her magical powers. Her father Harry Wormwood (Danny DeVito) is a crooked car dealer which has never understood his daughter he regards misunderstood. However, Matilda’s life forever changes when she takes a stand against her cruel school teacher Mrs. Turnbull (Pam Ferris). Discovering that she is born with commemorated magical superpowers, Matilda starts to wonder whether it’s possible for her to gain happiness. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Mathilda begins to wonder whether she will ever be able to overcome a family that causes disaster.
Danny DeVito is a newcomer towards stories of magical children. Before he had directed “Mathilda”, DeVito has never made a movie about gifted children. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved book about gifted children facing terror, but he succeeds immensely. Using stunning cinematography, DeVito captures a gifted child embarking on journeys to discover her identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as stunning as schools where Matilda seeks to materialize. DeVito effectively uses montages to capture the lives of gifted children facing adversity. For instance, montages elevate the growing up scene. During this unforgettable scene, Matilda grows up with a lifelong love for reading books against the wishes of her strict parents. Through montages, DeVito creates a strong character that audiences could easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” suggested, montages elevate films about comic-book heroes. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, DeVito captures tensions that gifted children are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Matilda” that deserves appreciation is production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. DeVito successfully employs production of schools to capture hardships experienced by gifted children. For instance, the set-design of the school elevates the school introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Matilda attends her school for the first time by discovering its abusive teachers. One appreciates school production design capturing the lives of children facing a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. David Newman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that gifted children always bear. Through stunning production design, DeVito captures the lives of gifted children facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Matilda” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, successfully using voice-over narration to capture the lives of gifted children that face tension. Throughout the movie, DeVito uses narration to capture the lives of gifted kids facing adversity. For instance, the narration elevates the TV explosion scene. During this heartfelt scene, Matilda uses her superpower to make her father’s television set miraculously explode. One appreciates voice over narration to capture the lives of gifted children which face tension. Through strong voice-over narration, DeVito creates a portrait of a gifted child that audiences can easily relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, narration elevates films about prison redemption. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” claimed narration elevates movies about intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a superb screenplay, DeVito captures the lives of commemorated children with gifted superpowers which face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Danny DeVito delivers one of his best career performances as Harry Wormwood. DeVito first achieved appreciation playing psychotic patients of mental institutions. With “Matilda”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a strict father that abuses his children but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. DeVito has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “Matilda” was a showcase for him as an actor. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and trauma of a father struggling to raise his dysfunctional family. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Danny DeVito, the supporting cast is also sensational and worthy of appreciation. Mara Wilson is magnificent, bringing charisma to a young gifted girl that faced a dilemma. Embeth Davidtz is extraordinary, bringing compassion to a teacher seeking to nurture gifted children in need of attention. Finally, Pam Ferris merits appreciation. As a cruel school teacher which mistreats students, she brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Mathilda” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing gifted children that endure a dilemma. Unlike most Roald Dahl adaptations, it tackles strong themes which would resonate with everyone. It discusses strong themes including identity, childhood and education which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Roald Dahl’s beloved book to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity in childhood which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Matilda” is one of those rare commemoraetd literary adaptations which everyone will adore.
Fans of Roald Dahl will definitely appreciate “Matilda” and so will movie-goers which seek family-friendly entertainment. A mesmerizing adaptation of a celebrated Roald Dahl book, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that is appreciated.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking movie about magical children with special superpowers seeking to overcome resentful teachers in frightening schools that are painful, it’s a powerful reminder of a legendary actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray memorable characters in unforgettable films which will always hold a place in the hearts of movie-goers that is special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 