“I’m smart you're dumb. I’m big you're little. I’m right you're wrong, and there’s NOTHING you can do about it!”
If you read that quote in a voice other than Danny DeVito’s and didn't feel your blood pressure sky rocket then stop whatever you are doing, watch "Matilda," and reevaluate life.
"Matilda" is so underrated, but most of this generation’s young women grew up with the girl-genius who could move objects with her eyes and outsmart adults like a badass. It’s one of those movies that I used to watch over and over again and now creates the ultimate nostalgic feels. "Send Me on My Way" by Rusted Roots still makes me crave pancakes like no other.
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The whole movie is a timeless favorite, and these are some of the most significant parts of life that "Matilda"made me see differently.
Chocolate cake
I love and hate the scene when evil school principle, Ms. Trunchbull, forces young Bruce to consume an entire chocolate cake in front of his entire school. It made me wary of chocolate cake for a while, but shows how anything is possible with the support of friends. Bruce really inspires you to finish what you start AND lick the plate. #squadgoals
Education
We all complain about homework, but all Matilda wanted was to go to school and she made nerds seem cool. A four year old would walk blocks to the library to read Charles Dickens, yet it’s painful for college students to get past the first page of course material we instantly get from the internet. She could solve 13 x 379 without a calculator, I challenge you to try that.
Punishment
When Matilda’s dad gets angry for her being “smart” with her epic math skills, he specifically says “when a PERSON is bad, that PERSON has to be taught a lesson,” and inspires her to go scare the crap out of Ms. Trunchbull. I wholeheartedly support this notion that adults aren’t necessarily more mature thanchildren, and what better way to get revenge than a prank?
Magic
I used to think that if I stared intently enough at an object I could compel it do what I wanted. Matilda used her powers to get revenge on the sinister adults in her life, and gave me the impression I shouldn’t have to feed myself or carry my own books. The lazy girl’s dream.
Time-out
The chokey makes any other kind of punishment seem tame. I count my blessings that my time out was just a corner in the living room and not Ms. Trunchbull’s cold solitary confinement. Pretty sure Trunchbull was the inspiration behind the trouble with fraternity hazing.
Pigtails
Braid your hair with caution because some people reeeally hate pigtails and sporting them could get you thrown over a fence like Amanda. That scene also taught me what the word “twit” meant.
Salespeople
Matilda’s dad sold broken, overpriced cars and the "boat salesmen" always parked across the street from her house turned out to be FBI agents, so the moral of the story is don’t trust salespeople. Ever.
Newts
I’m not a huge fan of amphibians, but "Matilda" made me feel like an expert for giving me the ability to distinguish newts from salamanders and lizards. They've earned a special place in my heart apart from the other nasty creatures for helping bring down Trunchbull.
Teachers
Ms. Honey shows the immense power that teachers have to change their students’ lives. Many children, like Matilda, come from bad families and could benefit so much from having a teacher who cares about them and reminds them of their value.
Hope
Even though Matilda had a rough start, her happy ending taught me the meaning of karma for the first time. Even though a lot of people suffer longer than six years, there’s always hope that Trunchbulls of life will get what's coming to them and that happiness is not so far out of reach for those who deserve it.
