When I was elven years old, over 30 years ago, there was a movie based on a Roald Dhal book called "Matilda". It was about a young girl with an amazing gift.
What was it? Well....first off, the book is very different from the movie I'm about to tell you. But this movie was very good, and starred a young Mara Wilson as Matilda
The sad truth about this movie is what happened behind the scenes. Mara Wilson lost her mom to aggressive breast cancer by the time the movie was finished.
Danny DeVito, who was the man behind the making of the movie as well as playing Mr. Wormword and directing the movie, showed Mara's mother an early screening right before she died.
Matilda doesn't fit in with her family. Loving books while they watch TV. Not knowing how special she is. Nobody, except for one person, knows of her powers.
Her teacher Miss Honey, who also has a sad backstory. She is related to the evil Miss Trunchbull and believes her father was murdered.
What happens near the end of the movie? Well...first off, Matilda makes friends with certain kids fast as she can't connect with her family. Even her older brother would make fun of her.
She decides to get her revenge on everyone that wronged her. First....with Miss Trunchbull who had frightened almost every student in Chrunchum Elementary. She learns about Miss Honey's past as well finding her father's home.
Matilda finds a way to frighten Miss Trunchbull since she learned she was superstitious. She uses her powers to frighten her and rescue a doll that was Miss Honey's favorite.
At school the next day...she decides to use her powers and scare Miss Trunchbull into leaving the school forever.
Finally getting her just desserts.... she escapes the school and isn't seen again.
She becomes friends with Miss Honey; however, her parents pick her up and say that they're moving to Guam. However,...it's a ruse that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Wormwood know as Mr. Wormword is guilty of selling illegal car parts.
Thinking they were going to Guam, in reality, both parents were going to be placed under arrest, and Mikey would be sent to an Orphanage. Thankfully....Miss Honey adopts her.
It ends happily for both Matilda and Miss Honey as she became the new principal of the school since Minch Trunchbull left.
Matilda rarely used her powers, unless she was lazy to get a book from the bookshelf which is how the movie ended.
A couple of years ago, before Covid hit, they had a reunion with every cast member, including the children who are all adults. They even talked about how amazing the movie was and did a funny skit involving one of the kids, who lost a ton of weight, to do the cake scene.
Thankfully it was a small chocolate cupcake and it was funny.
Now...thirty years later, this movie is still worth seeing. Mara Wilson went into writing after leaving acting. There might be a 30-year reunion in the near future. And that's how Matilda ended.
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