Matilda (1996)

The titular character of Matilda is a precocious little girl who contends against corrupt, neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal. Directed by Danny DeVito and based on the 1988 book by beloved children's author Roald Dahl, Matilda was a box office disappointment that gradually became a cult classic through home video and TV broadcasts (a popular subject for this podcast). Ryan is joined by Sarah and Toby for this episode. They talk about why Matilda connected so deeply with Sarah when she was the same age as the protagonist. They go into detail about the movie's infamous chocolate cake scene. The post-child star career of lead actress Mara Wilson is talked about, as is the directorial approach of DeVito. The discussion then turns to how Matilda is an adolescent wish-fulfillment fantasy for young girls; parallels are drawn between Matilda Wormwood and comparable figures such as Lisa Simpson and Daria Morgendorffer. Toby also gives a pitch for Matilda II, a sequel that will set up a Roald Dahl cinematic universe.