Brief Summary
This episode of Show Gaze discusses "Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical." The hosts summarize the plot, explore the history of Matilda in book and musical form, and share their opinions on the 2022 film adaptation. They discuss the casting choices, the music, and the overall impact of the story. They also touch on the challenges of adapting children's literature for the screen and the importance of capturing the unique voice and perspective of a child.
- Plot summary of Matilda
- History of Matilda (book and musical)
- Opinions on the 2022 film adaptation
Intro
The hosts introduce the episode, mentioning RJ's recent workshop for his play and his plans to share a Pro Shot video of it. They also discuss a recent trivia night experience involving logic puzzles with humorous themes. Molly shares that they have received mail from a listener, Bryce, who suggests they watch "Twanka," which they announce will be their December 15th episode.
Minute or Less Summary
RJ provides a concise summary of "Matilda the Musical," highlighting Matilda's intelligence and mistreatment by her family, her experiences at Crunchem Hall with Miss Honey and the villainous Trunchbull, and her discovery of telekinetic powers. The summary also covers Matilda's revolt against Trunchbull, her efforts to help Miss Honey, and her eventual adoption by Miss Honey.
Initial Thoughts on Matilda the Musical
RJ expresses his initial thoughts on "Matilda the Musical," noting that it was his first time interacting with the musical. He shares his love for the 1996 film adaptation and reveals that Mara Wilson's mother passed away shortly before the movie's release, leading to the film being dedicated to her. Molly shares her love for the 90s version and mentions having seen junior versions of the musical on stage.
Background and History of Matilda
The hosts discuss the background and history of Matilda, noting that the book was published in 1988, two years before Roald Dahl's death. They mention that the original idea for the book involved Matilda being a wicked girl, but changes were made to make her more innocent. They also discuss the character of Matilda's brother, Michael, who is present in the book and stage show but not in the 1996 film. The hosts then transition to discussing the musical adaptation, highlighting Tim Minchin's involvement and the show's success.
Matilda the Musical (2022)
The hosts discuss the 2022 film adaptation of "Matilda the Musical," including the director, screenwriter, cast, and production details. They note that Ralph Fiennes was originally supposed to play Trunchbull but was later replaced by Emma Thompson. They also mention the controversy surrounding Andrea Riseborough's Oscar nomination for the film "To Leslie." The hosts then share the UK box office results from the week the film was released.
Review of the Film
The hosts share their opinions on the film. Adam expresses a lukewarm feeling, citing inconsistent song quality and annoyance with the CGI at the end. Molly shares her love for the stage show but feels that some of the CGI ruined the movie, particularly in her favorite songs. She explains how the stage show uses adult actors to play older kids, creating a metaphorical representation of adults still feeling like they haven't fully grown up.
Critiques and Analysis
The hosts continue their discussion, focusing on the performance of the actress playing Matilda and the overall tone of the movie. Adam suggests that the actress felt too old for the role, diminishing the childlike interpretation of the story. He also expresses a desire for more practical effects and a greater sense of fun in the film. Molly agrees that the musical is a little too serious and political, suggesting that Matilda could have been given flaws or moments of misjudgment.
Storytelling and Fantasy Elements
The hosts discuss the storytelling aspects of the movie, with Adam suggesting that the story of the escapologist slows down the film. He proposes using voiceover to streamline the narrative and focus on Matilda's perspective. Molly agrees, noting that the movie's strength lies in Matilda's internal character and her ability to solve problems. Adam adds that the film is too polished and lacks the messiness and darkness that are characteristic of Roald Dahl's work.
Darkness in Children's Media
The hosts discuss the lack of darkness in the film and in children's media in general. They reference an essay about the taboo of sadness in theater for young audiences and suggest that there is a fear of portraying real emotions on stage. They also touch on the trend of sanitizing content for children and the importance of allowing kids to experience a range of emotions.
Musicality and Song Choices
The hosts discuss the music in the film, with RJ noting that some of the songs felt too literal and didn't complement the visuals. They play clips from "School Song" and "Naughty" to illustrate their points. They also discuss the character of Miss Honey and her songs, with Molly suggesting that the songs were too ballady and didn't allow the actress to fully showcase her vocal talent.
Miss Honey and Emma Thompson's Performance
The hosts continue their discussion of Miss Honey, praising Lana Lynch's performance and the character's nurturing qualities. They also discuss Emma Thompson's performance as Trunchbull, describing it as insane and grotesque. Adam mentions that there was some controversy about whether Thompson was wearing a fat suit, but he felt that it was more of a proportioned, drag-like portrayal.
Bruce and the Child Actors
The hosts discuss the character of Bruce and the use of padding to make him appear larger. They also praise the casting of the child actors in the movie, noting their charm and lack of precociousness. They discuss the scene where Bruce eats the chocolate cake, as well as the character of Lavender and her role in the revolution.
Final Thoughts and Reviews
The hosts share their final thoughts on the movie, with most agreeing that it was a good time and worth watching. They mention the film's 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and read excerpts from reviews by Justin Chang and Anthony Lane. They also share some humorous letterbox reviews.
MVPs and Future Adaptations
The hosts name their MVPs for the movie, with RJ choosing Emma Thompson, Molly choosing Sindhu Vee, and Adam choosing the production design and Lana Lynch. They then discuss children's books that they think should be adapted into musicals, including "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," "The Phantom Tollbooth," "Eloise," "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," "The Boxcar Children," "The Chronicles of Narnia," and "Madeline."
Outro and Next Episode
The hosts conclude the episode, sharing their social media handles and thanking their listeners. They announce that their next episode will be on "Oliver!" and play a clip from the movie.
