- Cast: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris
- Director: Danny DeVito
- Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
- Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 7/10
- Genre: comedy
- Rating: PG
If the kids are nervous about starting school, you can assure them that it won’t be as bad as Matilda’s first day. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name, this movie revolves around a young girl with a brilliant mind, and it goes unnoticed by her parents. However, everything changes when she enrolls in a new school and uses her telekinesis powers against the evil principal, Miss Trunchbull. Fair warning: You won’t look at chocolate fudge cake the same way.
And while the movie is about a six-year old, the themes have surprising depth, making it a great fall watch for adults, too. Davison, who loved the book as a child, writes in a review: “As an elementary schooler, that’s what I loved about Matilda—it didn’t shy away from the dark stuff. It acknowledged that abuse and meanness existed in the world, and it didn’t talk down to kids. The pranks and telekinesis offered a buffer of humor, a levity that’d buoy you, as you rooted for the underdog. And, along the way, key lessons emerged, like the power of kindness (shown by Matilda’s teacher, Miss Honey) and the need to stand up for yourself and others, no matter how powerful your foe. Like the books Matilda reads, this story, too, teaches kids everywhere that they are not alone, in whatever they’re going through.”
