Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) Review

The story of Matilda a truly extraordinary girl who has an incredibly vivid imagination and an even sharper mind, as she stands against everyone who doubts her abilities.

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*LFF 2022 Preview Screening*

Matilda is a story that is very well known whether it be from the actual book by Roald Dahl, the 90s film or the stage show. It has always been enjoyed and it’s probably because we have a character who never gives up despite everything and almost everyone being against her.

When watching the film though it is quite horrible how the children are treated by the majority of the adults and it does actually manage to make you laugh at times. The horrible things said to Matilda by her father are horrendous to be fair and the fact that she manages to eventually escape the grasps of those who put her down and taught herself so much is always great to watch.

This film is an adaptation of not only the story by Roald Dahl but the musical version which is a Tony and Olivier award winner. I felt as though I took a little bit of a risk heading to see this film as I was not a fan of the stage show when I saw it a few years back, however I am very pleased to say that the film is utterly delightful.

The musical aspect of the film works so well into the story and they go all out with some big moments for these and getting a big ensemble involved which really does help create that stage to screen feel. The vivid colours used really make it just great to watch as well. I think in that sense it works so well going from the stage to screen. Always a big risk but quite frankly just worked so nicely! We also still get all of the moments that we will remember from the first film.

Miss Honey is often regarded as one of the best teachers to appear in media and I think this is another outing that just backs all of that up. She is what you want teachers to be, encouraging and empowering the children she works with and recognising how to do that with each child as an individual.

Emma Thompson as Trunchbull is a massive pull for the film and she more than delivers, having some iconic lines and truly making the role her own. Considering we are used to seeing her in nice roles this villain turn really is worth watching. Lashana Lynch moving forward since her Bond role as also a joy to witness as she is Miss Honey. Andrea Risenborough and Stephen Graham being the unlikeable Wormwood’s. Naturally though the film well and truly belongs to Alisha Weir who is outstanding as Matilda, nailing all sides of the performance from the singing to the physical acting and top facial expressions. Found it even better the following day after the screening when hearing her Irish accent as she is from Dublin and that is something I would never have known given her performance in the film.