Danny DeVito's Matilda is a spellbinding adaptation of Roald Dahl's tale of alienation and overlooked genius. The titular character is a young girl possessing extraordinary intelligence and some burgeoning telekinetic abilities. She is repeatedly victimised by her television-loving family and the tyrannical headteacher of her new school, Miss Trunchbull. When Matilda learns how to control her magical skills, she decides to use them to wreak havoc on Miss Trunchbull. First, she uses her powers to make a number of objects move within Miss Trunchbull's house, including striking the clock and opening the windows. The next day at school, she impersonates Miss Trunchbull's dead brother, Magnus, using a chalkboard and forces her evil teacher out of the building. Matilda also manages to get one over on her parents by convincing them to allow her to be adopted by her favourite teacher, Miss Honey. It's a comprehensive victory for Matilda, who finally gets the life she deserves after getting rid of the people holding her back.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
