Film Review: ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL (2022): An Overlong but Endearing Family Film with Likable Performers

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Review

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Matthew Warchus, written by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin and starring Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Carl Spencer, Lauren Alexandra, Winter Jarrett-Glasspool, Meesha Garbett, Katherine Kingsley, James Laurenson and Ann Firbank.

Director Matthew Warchus reinvents the 1996 family film, Matilda, in the new, creative and magical movie, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. This musical version of the 1996 picture was already an award-winning musical on stage so it’s unusual that the film doesn’t have too many memorable musical numbers in it. There are pleasant enough interludes in the movie but there’s no one song that truly stands out in the pack. What makes the movie appealing, however, is its performances. While Alisha Weir assumes the role of the young Matilda, it is her older counterparts, Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch, especially, who get to chew the most scenery.

This film opens with a series of different babies, each one special in its own way. We soon meet Mrs. Wormwood (a quirky Andrea Riseborough) who doesn’t believe she’s pregnant but ends up giving birth to Matilda. Mr. Wormwood (Stephen Graham) isn’t all too respectable and the couple simply isn’t ready to deal with the type of adventure-seeking, smart person who Matilda will become. At first, the Wormwood couple doesn’t even send Matilda to school and they claim to the powers that be they are “homeschooling” her. When Matilda makes it to school, it’s not everything that she hoped for but there’s potential.

This film’s story line centers on Matilda and two characters who become integral parts of her life. One whose ideals Matilda will embrace: Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch) and another whose ideals Matilda must defeat: the villainous Agatha Trunchbull (Emma Thompson). Matilda, at one point in the movie, declares that teachers such as Miss Honey are not paid well enough. Lynch’s Miss Honey sings a song about how content she is in her life thanks to her freedom regardless of how much she has in her life in terms of material things. Agatha, the complete opposite of Miss Honey, is constantly (and unfairly) challenging Matilda and her friends at school which doesn’t allow the kids to be who they truly are. Matilda, as it turns out, has some rare talents of her own which are unveiled as the plot progresses.

Emma Thompson just came off a movie where the character she played wanted to feel attractive: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. Thompson’s role in this new musical will likely do the opposite for the actress’s image with Thompson looking her most unattractive as a character who is warped and needs to be overthrown. Luckily, Matilda and her “revolting” school children friends will soon have the courage to stand up to her. Thompson has come off one of the bravest years of her career with these two book-end performances and it’s admirable to see her take such risks in films that she has taken recently.

Mr. Wormwood soon finds himself in over the head with the mafia and when he’s about to flee, he needs to decide what is best for Matilda unless Matilda can decide for herself. Matilda has formed a true bond with Miss Honey which will make the young girl question what is best for her future. Matilda loves the power of her imagination and reading and it doesn’t seem the Wormwood couple has what it takes for her to live the life which is necessary for Matilda to be happy.

The performance by Alisha Weir is likable enough. She has a nice rapport with Lynch’s teacher character and the two create a believable connection that is certainly enough to warm the hearts of family friendly film viewers. Riseborough is underused to a fault but whenever she appears on screen, she is terrifically utilized in the moment making her character rather funny despite being written with much silliness at her disposal. Lynch steals the movie with a breakout performance that audiences will adore. She’s charismatic and sophisticated making us understand why Matilda, herself, adores her.

While the musical numbers themselves are entertaining while they are happening, they are not the most memorable songs that have been in recent musicals. Also, the movie drags a bit and could have used a little bit more plot development to pick up some of the slack in the middle. With that being said, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is sure to please fans of the ambitious character, Matilda, from any of her past vehicles–either the film or the live theater version(s). Thompson has a good time being mean and Lynch has the best time being good. Weir more than holds her own beside them. This is an adequate film for family audiences with excellent production values.

Rating: 7/10

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