MovieChat Forums > Matilda (1996) Discussion > 'Would your parents believe you?'

'Would your parents believe you?'

posted 10 years ago by aprilkepner
31 replies | jump to latest

Um, yes. Yes they would. The idea that Ms. Trunchbull got away with everything she was doing to ALL of those children is ridiculous. Sure, it does sound too far-fetched to be true, but eventually, someone would take a child with those claims seriously. Also, what about all the other teachers that worked there? We know Ms. Honey was weak as hell and couldn't stand up for herself, but how come none of the other teachers did anything about the psycho, abusive principal? Sorry to question the validity of a movie about a 6 year old with magic powers, but watching this beloved childhood film as an adult is a totally different experience. So unrealistic.

[–] novastar_6 10 years ago

No they wouldn't, no parent is going to believe a principal would throw kids out of the window, or lock them in an Iron Maiden closet with broken glass. Especially parents like Matilda's who don't even care about her or pay attention to her, and there are a lot of those out there.

[–] rebmarch 10 years ago

Harry didn't believe her that she got held after school for 5 hours for detention, all he was worried about was that Matilda wasn't at home to bring in the packages.

[–] aprilkepner 10 years ago

Yes, I'm aware that Matilda's parents wouldn't and obviously didn't believe her, but she's more like an exception to the rule. I don't know any parents, myself included, that wouldn't at least be curious as to WHY a child is claiming these things. There's no way it would go on for that long, happening to that many children.

[–] HorrorFanatic24 8 years ago

Mine would.

[–] novastar_6 10 years ago

Again, they wouldn't believe the truth, so they probably wrote it off as some playground mishap, 'kids will be kids' or 'boys will be boys'. That's what they say when one kid beats another and they wind up in a coma and die, 'well they didn't mean it, they were just playing'.

[–] raecheer 10 years ago

Sorry to question the validity of a movie about a 6 year old with magic powers, but watching this beloved childhood film as an adult is a totally different experience. So unrealistic.

With kid movies (movies in general) there has to be a suspension of belief. But yes, if a couple of kids were talking to their parents, even if they doubted the kids, all the parents/authorities have to do is go to the school and see the chokey and ta-da there's physical evidence supporting the kids stories. Plus, not a single teacher ever standing up and saying a word, a kid got thrown out of the window and it was implied that he probably broke some bones (the mention of "he lived, if that's what you mean').

[–] tyshimah3 10 years ago

The chokey could have easily been covered up, just like Ms. Honey did with her classroom.

"Do you even remember what you came here to find?"

[–] PopSixSquish 10 years ago

I think the parents all assumed that the kids were coming up with the wildest, most horrible stories possible to try and get out of going to school. And even if one parent did listen to a particularly trustworthy child who seemed extremely serious about it, they could go in to check it out, but the Trunchbull wouldn't have let them find any evidence that they could take to the police.

"My Little Throny! I used to wonder what bloodshed could be..."

[–] Having_a_Bowie_Moment 9 years ago

Probably. Unless one of the parents actually saw something happen, I doubt the police would do anything. And Trunchbull was crazy enough that noone would beleive their kid when they said something.

[–] thereseuphemiaabernathy 9 years ago

^ That.

[–] ckmsaxophone 9 years ago

In reality, Ms. Trunchbull and that entire school would be a lawsuit (or 10) waiting to happen. But it's a whimsical, fantasy movie. If Ms. Trunchbull hadn't done those horribly outrageous things, the idea that she was a crazy psycho who hated children wouldn't have come across (even though it was exaggerated and very far-fetched). It's comedy. As an adult, of course it's so unrealistic that Ms. Trunchbull got away with abusing children. But to the intended audience (kids) watching this movie, the idea of a lawsuit or worse probably wouldn't cross their minds.

"I must express myself." - Delia Deetz

[–] ExplorerDS6789 9 years ago

Oh come now, you know parents NEVER believe what their children say.

[–] GreenGoblinsOckVenom86 9 years ago

This movie takes place in the 60s. So back then nobody would've believed the kids' stories.

Green Goblin is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L4ZuaVvaw

[–] ExplorerDS6789 9 years ago

This movie takes place in the 60s.

Where did you get that idea?

[–] Kel_Vernsen 9 years ago

It certainly didn't look like the 60s. Maybe late 80s to early 90s. Plus the VHS tape came out in the 70s. Which was used in the movie.

[–] GreenGoblinsOckVenom86 9 years ago

I hadn't seen it in a while. Don't remember the VHS tape. But a lot of the cars certainly don't look like cars from the 90s.

Green Goblin is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L4ZuaVvaw

[–] Kel_Vernsen 9 years ago

When Matilda stole the tape from the camcorder that the two FBI guys had. They were snopping around her dad's garage. Also around early to mid 80s was when that camcorder with the VHS format came out.

[–] crazydude1989 9 years ago

The book was published in 1988. I don't remember if it had a specific time. I always thought it took place the same year it came out--1996. Their TV looked like a standard 90s model too.
And today, Miss Honey would probably set up a hidden camera, or use a hidden camera app on her iPhone, lol. Since every kid today has one, I'm sure the teacher would tell them to secretly start videoing, unless the Trunch has eyes in the back of her head and would immediately find the hidden cameras. My cousin's boyfriend set up a hidden iPad camera when workers came to their place and they weren't home, and it caught them fooling around with their stuff and barely getting any work done. Video AND audio.

#pennygetyourownwifi

[–] sadiecatclaws 8 years ago

The Trunch wears a shirt that says 1972 Olympic games, so it can't be the 60s, that's for sure.

[–] ShizaMinelli 8 years ago

So you think they used a 60s style handheld camcorder with vhs tapes that weren't invented yet? And Trunchbulls shirt referencing the 1972 Olympics were a...strong prediction? And what decade did parents magically decide that children could be trustworthy btw?

When you're 17 a cow can seem dangerous and forbidden...am I alone here?

[–] jefgg 9 years ago

My parents never believed anything I said even though I had no history of lying.

[–] Victoriousn09 9 years ago

My mother would DEFINITELY believe me. She doesn't think twice about things like that.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

That made no sense. The kid who ate M&Ms and got thrown out the window supposedly survived but was likely ingured very badly. So why would they NOT believe him after seeing injuries?

But then again........Matilda's parents are arrogant and unintelligent :(