Based on the Royal Shakespeare Company hit-musical adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl novel, Matilda the Musical does not aim to improve on or compete with Danny DeVito’s beloved 1996 classic, nor does it set out to surpass the Tony-winning stage play. Instead, the Netflix feature is content to faithfully translate Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly’s musical to the screen and deliver an infectiously fun, vibrant family film for a new generation.
Alisha Weir is a revelation as Matilda, the genius, mischievous, but deeply lonely little girl with secret superpowers. Neglected (read: straight-up abused) and supposedly home-schooled by her gleefully rude, self-centred parents – played with riotous energy by Andrea Riseborough and Stephen Graham – the local authorities insist that the Wormwoods send their daughter to school. The establishment in question is an Oliver Twist workhouse-meets-Shawshank prison, otherwise known as Crunchem Hall. Presiding over the terror camp is Headmistress Trunchbull, a fabulously unpredictable disciplinarian with the lion’s share of rancorous one-liners played by a scenery-chewing Emma Thompson in heavy prosthetics. Lashana Lynch, meanwhile, is perfect as the gentle and nurturing Miss Honey.
The stage is set for a series of barnstorming musical numbers (“School Song” and “Revolting Children” are particular standouts) featuring elaborate choreography and dizzying set pieces; it’s one of the best ways in which Matilda takes advantage of its feature format and pushes its scale and energy to new heights.
What Netflix’s Matilda may lack in Dahl’s defining cynicism and horror, it reinvests in warmth, humour, and familiarity – it’s a film whose Christmas Day release makes perfect sense.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical releases in cinemas from November 25th, and on Netflix from December 25th.
By Laura Potier
