In Paris, twelve girls study in a school owned and sponsored by Lady Covington (Stéphane Audran) and managed by a sister, Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). The youngest and orphan is the six years old Madeline (Hatty Jones). Their neighbor is the Ambassador of Spain, his wife and his son Pepito. When Lady Covington dies, her husband decided to sell the house. Meanwhile, some bad guys plan to kidnap Pepito. This average comedy is very predictable. However, the little, sweet and adorable Hatty Jones makes the difference. This was the last movie I watched in 2003 and I do not regret, since it is a nice family entertainment. My vote is six.
46 Reviews
Accurate, but at what price?
aalmhs12 February 1999
I was fortunate enough to see "Madeline" on a plane trip. Through babysitting, I had viewed the cartoon series and even read a book. I'm happy to say that I quite enjoy Madeline's adventures and was pleased to see it turned into a movie. I was saddened, however, when the movie, though accurate, did not turn out to be as adventurous as I had imagined. Full credit to the cast - it was not their acting but rather the pathetic state of the staging where three storylines were written rather stiltedly. It was mild entertainment but I'd only recommend it to fans of the series/books and younger children. Better luck next time...
wonderful family movie
mamawhoban16 September 2019
Madeline, the movie, is as charming as it's heroine
inkblot115 July 2003
Taken from the classic books by Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeline is the darling story of 12 little girls who live in a boarding school. The woman in charge of the home is a nun, Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). Red-headed Madeline is the smallest of the girls but is, nevertheless, fearless and curious. The film follows Madeline's escapades as she has her appendix out, clashes with Pepito (the boy next door), falls in the river and more. There is a subplot concerning the approaching sale of the school and what it will mean to the girls who live there. Is it possible to have a happy ending?
This extremely watchable movie for children is a wonderful addition to the repertoire of good children's films. Hatty Jones is a delight as Madeline and the other little girls are fun and expressive. The leap from book to movie is smooth and successful; the film includes many of the books' key elements and will thus be appreciated by Bemelmans' fans. There is more than enough action and humor to keep children interested from start to finish. Adults will be charmed by the film as well. Recommended for families who are looking for quality alternatives to Disney, Beethoven the dog, Charlotte's Web, etc.
This extremely watchable movie for children is a wonderful addition to the repertoire of good children's films. Hatty Jones is a delight as Madeline and the other little girls are fun and expressive. The leap from book to movie is smooth and successful; the film includes many of the books' key elements and will thus be appreciated by Bemelmans' fans. There is more than enough action and humor to keep children interested from start to finish. Adults will be charmed by the film as well. Recommended for families who are looking for quality alternatives to Disney, Beethoven the dog, Charlotte's Web, etc.
Irresistible And Charming. A Definite Must For Young Children
johnstonjames29 July 2010
i hated to give this likable little movie only a seven, it's really very good, only i did'nt think it was about much except to be nice, congenial entertainment. the 'Madeline' books themselves, though lovely children's classics, are not really about much. they're not supposed to be. they are simple, and nice, and don't burden the child reader with too much message. that's good, since not every message suits every person.
i remember reading the 'Madeline' books as a small child in second grade. i have'nt picked up a 'Madeline' book since then, but i seem to vividly remember them for some strange reason because they really are simple stories. but i remember all the characters and they are all here. Pepito, Genevieve the dog, the circus performers, i remember them all very fondly.
it was a very cute little movie but as an adult, the selling point for me was the incredible Frances McDormand. she is such a great actress who never gives a bad performance. even when i think the movie is bad, she is always really good. this might not be one of her more demanding roles, but the performance is strong, smart, and sure. playing a nun is a fairly complicated thing to do, and she brings it off like a regular Debbie Reynolds. her performance is respectful, restraint, and never crass. i mean come'on folks, religious denominations are a touchy subject. but not here in this film.
this film is perfect for all children and contains nothing offensive except for the word 'Damn'. and if you can't handle that, get the heck out of the kitchen dopey. the main thing that should be cautioned is the irresponsible use of fire crackers. sure, i thought the scene was hilarious, but throwing fire crackers under a person's feet can do serious harm, and parents should definitely talk to their kids about that one.
all in all this was not a great film or a deep one. but it was awfully sweet and cute.
i remember reading the 'Madeline' books as a small child in second grade. i have'nt picked up a 'Madeline' book since then, but i seem to vividly remember them for some strange reason because they really are simple stories. but i remember all the characters and they are all here. Pepito, Genevieve the dog, the circus performers, i remember them all very fondly.
it was a very cute little movie but as an adult, the selling point for me was the incredible Frances McDormand. she is such a great actress who never gives a bad performance. even when i think the movie is bad, she is always really good. this might not be one of her more demanding roles, but the performance is strong, smart, and sure. playing a nun is a fairly complicated thing to do, and she brings it off like a regular Debbie Reynolds. her performance is respectful, restraint, and never crass. i mean come'on folks, religious denominations are a touchy subject. but not here in this film.
this film is perfect for all children and contains nothing offensive except for the word 'Damn'. and if you can't handle that, get the heck out of the kitchen dopey. the main thing that should be cautioned is the irresponsible use of fire crackers. sure, i thought the scene was hilarious, but throwing fire crackers under a person's feet can do serious harm, and parents should definitely talk to their kids about that one.
all in all this was not a great film or a deep one. but it was awfully sweet and cute.
Formulaic but still entertaining enough to write it off
Aleta_Nook26 March 2017
Madeline is a clever movie about a brave and smart little girl and how she stands up to Pepito and Lord Covington. It can be syrupy and corny sometimes but it's got some entertaining moments, too.
Hattie Jones is a pretty decent actor for her first role. She may not have had the acting chops to play Madeline, but she still did pretty good for her age. Her anger, her fearlessness, her mischief, her sadness, her precociousness was enjoyable to watch and this was my movie as a kid. Most of the other actors also did well for their roles and personalities but I didn't like Vicki. It's too bad I couldn't get to see more of Hattie. Some people may have problems with her having a British accent instead of a French accent, though.
Madeline doesn't act much like a real kid because of her acting too mature for her age but she's a unique character and her bravery, friendliness, and fierce personality are good qualities in a little girl. Pepito is a good character because he changes from a troublesome little boy, to a friendly and helpful boy. Lord Covington is a sympathetic and relatable antagonist because he wants to close down the school because of his sadness for the death of his wife.
Now my real problems are:
They picked a little Asian girl to be one of the girls, I don't think this was used in the book? I haven't read much of it.
I've never liked the trouble Madeline and the girls cause. Yes, I know they're children, but they shouldn't be influencing girls to act like them. And also, yes it's a movie, but I never liked seeing kids misbehaving a lot. And the kids cry over an appendix, while it's faithful to the book, I think that them crying over something like getting their appendix out is weird.
I still remember fondly watching this movie as a kid and over the Summer and Fall in 2015. It's not one of the best movies to watch, in fact, it might be forgettable because of its formulaic writing, storytelling, characters and directing but this mostly lies in the writing and directing, though it's certainly better than the Madeline cartoons that were out in the 80s and 90s and always had been to me, being 11 years old and watching the movie, I was too old for the cartoons. I didn't care much for them.
Hattie Jones is a pretty decent actor for her first role. She may not have had the acting chops to play Madeline, but she still did pretty good for her age. Her anger, her fearlessness, her mischief, her sadness, her precociousness was enjoyable to watch and this was my movie as a kid. Most of the other actors also did well for their roles and personalities but I didn't like Vicki. It's too bad I couldn't get to see more of Hattie. Some people may have problems with her having a British accent instead of a French accent, though.
Madeline doesn't act much like a real kid because of her acting too mature for her age but she's a unique character and her bravery, friendliness, and fierce personality are good qualities in a little girl. Pepito is a good character because he changes from a troublesome little boy, to a friendly and helpful boy. Lord Covington is a sympathetic and relatable antagonist because he wants to close down the school because of his sadness for the death of his wife.
Now my real problems are:
They picked a little Asian girl to be one of the girls, I don't think this was used in the book? I haven't read much of it.
I've never liked the trouble Madeline and the girls cause. Yes, I know they're children, but they shouldn't be influencing girls to act like them. And also, yes it's a movie, but I never liked seeing kids misbehaving a lot. And the kids cry over an appendix, while it's faithful to the book, I think that them crying over something like getting their appendix out is weird.
I still remember fondly watching this movie as a kid and over the Summer and Fall in 2015. It's not one of the best movies to watch, in fact, it might be forgettable because of its formulaic writing, storytelling, characters and directing but this mostly lies in the writing and directing, though it's certainly better than the Madeline cartoons that were out in the 80s and 90s and always had been to me, being 11 years old and watching the movie, I was too old for the cartoons. I didn't care much for them.
Not even my kids liked it
DonB-51 January 1999
My kids watch the cartoon so I figured they'd like the movie. By the 1/2 point they were bored and wanted to do something else. My wife liked it best, giving a 7. Perhaps girls will go for this more than my boys did. I found it a big bore.
Great for the target audience, and tolerable for the rest of us
blott2319-127 April 2020
Madeline is a pleasant little film based on the children's books written by Ludwig Bemelmans. The story is about a school for young girls that is at risk of being shut down. This is particularly frightening for little Madeline who doesn't have any parents to take care of her if the school is closed. We see the girls get into a number of silly situations along the way, mostly prompted by the actions of Madeline. I wouldn't necessarily describe her as a trouble-maker, but she is a bit precocious at times. Hatty Jones was simply adorable in the role, and I never found her obnoxious or annoying. I liked how this film shows the relationships between the young kids, because it all felt authentic based on the way children that age will treat one another. Casting Frances McDormand for the role of the nun/teacher Miss Clavel was a great choice, because she nails that mix of stern and compassionate. The film is quite juvenile and silly, so it's not exactly made for me, but I think those qualities are perfect for the target audience. It does a wonderful job of finding the right tone for a kids' movie without being aggressively juvenile or condescending, and I will probably end up recommending it to some of my friends with young ones.
Oops, there's Notre Dame!
lee_eisenberg8 May 2019
While watching "Madeline", it was a shock to see the Notre Dame, now that the famous cathedral has had a fire that burned out an entire section (miraculously, most of the building remained unharmed).
The movie itself is nothing special. It's all about little Maddy getting into and out of mischief to the chagrin of her ward. Like the books, it'll be entertaining to people below the age of ten. It apparently takes place in the '50s, but all sorts of things don't match up with that. Typical family flick that cares more about being "cute" than about a complex story. The tykes will enjoy the movie, everyone else will roll their eyes at it.
The movie itself is nothing special. It's all about little Maddy getting into and out of mischief to the chagrin of her ward. Like the books, it'll be entertaining to people below the age of ten. It apparently takes place in the '50s, but all sorts of things don't match up with that. Typical family flick that cares more about being "cute" than about a complex story. The tykes will enjoy the movie, everyone else will roll their eyes at it.
it gets better
SnoopyStyle5 December 2019
Precocious young Madeline is an English orphan, one of twelve girls under the care of school mistress Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand) in Paris. She hates their neighbor, the arrogant Spanish ambassador's son Pepito. She falls into the river and is rescued by a stray dog which is given the name Genevieve. Lord Covington attempts to sell the school and there is the evil Leopold, the tutor.
I don't know much about the source material. The movie needs to get going a lot sooner. The girls meeting Pepito needs to be earlier. The hospital section leads to the touching reveal at the end but it could be done with a lot less time. It doesn't need to go to the hospital. It just needs the portrait. Once they have the mice fight, Pepito and Madeline can get into a prank war which would serve as filler in the middle. It takes awhile but this gets better.
I don't know much about the source material. The movie needs to get going a lot sooner. The girls meeting Pepito needs to be earlier. The hospital section leads to the touching reveal at the end but it could be done with a lot less time. It doesn't need to go to the hospital. It just needs the portrait. Once they have the mice fight, Pepito and Madeline can get into a prank war which would serve as filler in the middle. It takes awhile but this gets better.
Madeline
jboothmillard7 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I remember seeing this when I used to go to a children's club, we always had a film time, and I guess I just I wanted to watch it again to remember how lame and kiddie it was. Basically Miss Clavel (Fargo's Frances McDormand) is the head-mistress nun who looks after twelve children at the orphanage in France, and the youngest, smallest and at many times most troublesome is red-headed, parent-less and fantastic problem solver Madeline (introducing Hatty Jones). Every moment of this film sees Madeline getting into quite a few situations, and she proves that she has hardly any fear, and she can stand up for herself in front of the grown-ups, especially Lord Covington, aka Lord Cuckoohead (The Madness of King George's Nigel Hawthorne), who is trying to sell the school/orphanage. Also starring Ben Daniels as Leopold the Tutor and Stéphane Audran as Lady Covington. Think Annie (which I absolutely detest) meets Home Alone (a very good family comedy), and that is pretty much the film in a nut-shell, Jones is cuter than Aileen Quinn was, but I suppose the most watchable character for adults is McDormand, a good once-in-a-while (or just once, period) family film. Okay!
Good girl
Boyo-230 July 1998
Sitting through "Madeline" was like a cool breeze on a hot day. Hatty Jones is talented enough to carry the movie, Frances McDormand makes a hell of a nun, and the supporting cast was fine also. I would rather sit through this movie again than ever see most of the summertime garbage we are 'treated' to. The opening and closing credits were beautiful, too. Being a thirtysomething guy, I was unfamiliar with the "Madeline" books, but I have a feeling the movie captured the spirit of the books. A job well done; I loved every minute of it.
Sweet Madeline!!
elo-equipamentos12 June 2017
When l'm upset for something l used to pick up movies like this, after watching Madeline refresh my brain at once, l feel better telling an auspicious story about a orphan child who change everything around her, Hatty Jones is great in the role as Madeline very convincing acting, Francis Mcdormand is quite good as gentle Miss Clavel and also Nigel Hawtorne as cold Lord Convicton, the book l have must confess that l'd never read, but seeing this movie l can imagine how good it is, l'm already an adult but l enjoy this kind of picture, make us believing in a better world, even just for two hours long, fantastic!!
Resume:
First watch: 2017 / How Many: 1 / Source: Netflix / Rating: 7
Resume:
First watch: 2017 / How Many: 1 / Source: Netflix / Rating: 7
Watch the TV-serie: it's 20 times better than that!
jraf16 February 2002
As the cartoon ("Madeline", 1990) is intelligent and funny, as the film is a disaster! The scenario is very poor and déjà-vu and contains lots of mistakes or illogic and unbelievable things. (For example Uzbekistan was independent only after the fragmentation of the USSR thus had no ambassador when the film takes place!) But the most disastrous is the vision of France by Americans who seem to know nothing! Even if the story takes place in the 50s, many things are cliché. You will tell me: " yes but it is a movie for children, we don't care! " It is exactly where the problem is! Young Americans will believe that France is always like that and it won't help either France for its image or the USA for their knowledge of the world! The worst is to see that the movie wants to show that you should not judge people's appearances (I speak about characters of Pepito and Lord Covington) but on the other side it judges the customs and the life of the non-English-speaking countries (not only France) too fast! And what to say about the absurd mixture of the French and English languages? That adds a little bit of ridiculous to the movie, that's all! As a Frenchman, that even made me smile often by imagining first of all that Americans who look at the movie don't understand anything and then that some "bilingual" situations would be a little bit stupid in the true life! In fact it is maybe the only thing which made me laugh in the film! I don't understand how some Frenchmen agreed to co-produce this movie!
Otherwise the actors are mostly very bad: only France McDormand appears to be a little bit better (but we wonder why she was in this film so far from the spirit of the Coen brothers!), the French actress Chantal Neuwirth is rather good also (but the film won't allow her to go out of the anonymity in her country!) and the young Hatty Jones is only one more child who will certainly never play a leading role again even if her performance remains correct!
To finish let's speak about some positive points: the film manages to have a few feelings and the ending song is a good lively song for a film for children. Conclusion: 4/10 even if I admit that the children can spend a good moment!...
PS: I have nothing against Americans, I just have pity for them when I see that a lot of Americans know just their own country or their own state!
Otherwise the actors are mostly very bad: only France McDormand appears to be a little bit better (but we wonder why she was in this film so far from the spirit of the Coen brothers!), the French actress Chantal Neuwirth is rather good also (but the film won't allow her to go out of the anonymity in her country!) and the young Hatty Jones is only one more child who will certainly never play a leading role again even if her performance remains correct!
To finish let's speak about some positive points: the film manages to have a few feelings and the ending song is a good lively song for a film for children. Conclusion: 4/10 even if I admit that the children can spend a good moment!...
PS: I have nothing against Americans, I just have pity for them when I see that a lot of Americans know just their own country or their own state!
Cute But Tame
Steve-17624 January 1999
In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.
If you don't know and love those lines, and if your children don't either, then none of you are likely to enjoy Madeline very much.
Ludwig Bemelans wrote those opening words for the first Madeline book published in 1939. Admirers of Bemelans cite his charming, economical use of words and images. He also illustrated his stories. Madeline the film is by all accounts a faithful homage to this man's notable children's literature.
It's possible that some parents have schooled their children to appreciate the Madeline tales but if they haven't it's likely that Madeline will be considered a little too tame by all but the real littlelees. There's just none of the brash, relatively violent noise of most children's film fare here.
However the film does star Frances McDormand (Fargo) and Nigel Hawthorne (Yes Minister, The Madness Of King George) and they do what they can with a film that some will find charming.
Hawthorne in particular is particularly touching in one of the final scenes. And young Hatty Jones is appropriately determined and fearless.
If you don't know and love those lines, and if your children don't either, then none of you are likely to enjoy Madeline very much.
Ludwig Bemelans wrote those opening words for the first Madeline book published in 1939. Admirers of Bemelans cite his charming, economical use of words and images. He also illustrated his stories. Madeline the film is by all accounts a faithful homage to this man's notable children's literature.
It's possible that some parents have schooled their children to appreciate the Madeline tales but if they haven't it's likely that Madeline will be considered a little too tame by all but the real littlelees. There's just none of the brash, relatively violent noise of most children's film fare here.
However the film does star Frances McDormand (Fargo) and Nigel Hawthorne (Yes Minister, The Madness Of King George) and they do what they can with a film that some will find charming.
Hawthorne in particular is particularly touching in one of the final scenes. And young Hatty Jones is appropriately determined and fearless.
Sweet, yet fiesty. That's the director's take of Madaline!
naomielsanders27 July 2013
This is an interesting take on a classic TV series of a young girl in a French school. It's interesting to take this as they expanded all the characters, like the the girls at the school having all different personalities. I do like Hatty Jones' take on Madaline (she does have a cute voice) as well as Nigel Hawthorne as Lord Covington, especially since he's played parts ranging from King George (in the Madness of King George) to Professor Porter (in Tarzan).
I'm not going to give anything away (if you're looking at these reviews, wondering if you should watch this, I would recommend it for girls 10 upwards) but it is lovely. Good actors, good script, combining some of the elements of the original series with the new parts that they put in.
Serioulsy, I would recommend it. It's sweet, but also gripping at times (not telling you when! That's cheating). However bad and girly you think it is, watch it. Then, if you still think the same... well, you can think what you think, I still like it!
I'm not going to give anything away (if you're looking at these reviews, wondering if you should watch this, I would recommend it for girls 10 upwards) but it is lovely. Good actors, good script, combining some of the elements of the original series with the new parts that they put in.
Serioulsy, I would recommend it. It's sweet, but also gripping at times (not telling you when! That's cheating). However bad and girly you think it is, watch it. Then, if you still think the same... well, you can think what you think, I still like it!
One of the worst movies I have seen in my entire life!
gasy_addi17 March 2002
This is one of the worst movies I have seen in my entire life!!! This film is really sad because it's so awful. I really like Frances McDormand in a lot of films but why did she agree to make this one. I kept waiting for the story to start and in my opinion, there was no story. I could make a better movie using a cucumber, 3 grade 1's, and a cardboard box. This movie makes "2001: A Space Travesty" look like "Gladiator". Please don't see it. You will have more fun watching paint dry. Sorry I'm dissing this movie, but it's truly awful. Your kids won't like it.
Madeline Needs Better Schooling in Screenplays.
anaconda-4065829 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Madeline (1998): Dir: Daisy Von Scherler Mayer / Cast: Hatty Jones, Frances McDormand, Nigel Hawthorne, Ben Daniels, Kristian De La Osa: Not nearly as complex or detailed as Harriet the Spy. Madeline is an orphan in a boarding school in France. Francis McDormand plays the headmistress who loves the girls but struggles to maintain discipline. The routine story regards the school owner's plan to sell the school. Along the way Madeline is saved from drowning by a dog, she sabotages potential buyers, and is kidnapped by circus jugglers. Directing by Daisy Von Scherler Mayer is fine with beautiful locations but the screenplay is shallow. As Madeline Hatty Jones is irresistibly charming but the chaos she is thrown into as the conclusion draws is ridiculous. McDormand in great form in what could be a standard issue role but elevates with care for the girls and the school. This coming off her Academy Award win and proving to be just as solid in this simplistic material. Supporting roles are typical family film cardboard cut-outs the function for convenience only. Nigel Hawthorne plays stereotypical strict owner who will predictably have a change of heart regarding the school's fate. Well made film that will mainly appeal to young girls but little material is objectionable for parents. Theme regards one's sense of well being, belonging and development. Score: 5 / 10
Lively, endearing and sweet; what a Children's film SHOULD BE!
Jill-3617 April 1999
Whether or not this film was critically acclaimed by the "so-called" experts or not, is irrelevant. The REAL experts are the children who watch, are captivated and endeared by Madeline's well casted characters. Every child I know (including my own) that has seen this film loved it and has begged for it on video.
Parents may not see this as a daring, frolicking action adventure; but rather as a sweet and funny children's film, which is after all, what is was designed to be.
There are so few films that really MEET a parent's expectations for what they WANT their children to see and can TRUST to not be "profane" (many older children's films that were "G-rated" are being remade now as "PG" under the guises that parents will "want" to watch them to; but do the kids really need the addition of bad language and sexual innuendo?).
Madeline, the movie, is true to the author's original story-line and keeps its poetical, lyrical style and flavor. The children and adults in the cast are true to what the author's characterizations were intended to be.. rather than a so-called "modern version" of it.
It is childhood at its best and its worst, with "realistic" villains (instead of the monstrous or far-fetched) and more of the genuine fun and whimsy that childhood is supposed to possess.
Children everywhere adore this film! As an adult, I appreciate it and APPLAUD it. I wish filmakers would TAKE NOTE and produce MORE films like this... TRULY for Children and SOLIDLY "G-rated". After all... children are the best experts on what they like.. and they LOVE THIS... so do I.
Parents may not see this as a daring, frolicking action adventure; but rather as a sweet and funny children's film, which is after all, what is was designed to be.
There are so few films that really MEET a parent's expectations for what they WANT their children to see and can TRUST to not be "profane" (many older children's films that were "G-rated" are being remade now as "PG" under the guises that parents will "want" to watch them to; but do the kids really need the addition of bad language and sexual innuendo?).
Madeline, the movie, is true to the author's original story-line and keeps its poetical, lyrical style and flavor. The children and adults in the cast are true to what the author's characterizations were intended to be.. rather than a so-called "modern version" of it.
It is childhood at its best and its worst, with "realistic" villains (instead of the monstrous or far-fetched) and more of the genuine fun and whimsy that childhood is supposed to possess.
Children everywhere adore this film! As an adult, I appreciate it and APPLAUD it. I wish filmakers would TAKE NOTE and produce MORE films like this... TRULY for Children and SOLIDLY "G-rated". After all... children are the best experts on what they like.. and they LOVE THIS... so do I.
Delightful movie for children AND adults
hbarannik14 March 2005
I just loved this version of Madeline, with the inimitable Frances McDormand and Nigel Hawthorne. Funny, attractive movie that is lively enough for adults to enjoy. I highly recommend it. Nothing offensive in it at all. The cinematography, the acting, the costuming was of the highest quality.
As a child I did not really read the Madeline series of books, but I did as an adult, and I found that this screenplay and production bring the book to life. At a time and in a society where there is so much negative entertainment, this was a pleasant offering. It was uplifting. It even had just enough suspense to make it interesting for adults.
As a child I did not really read the Madeline series of books, but I did as an adult, and I found that this screenplay and production bring the book to life. At a time and in a society where there is so much negative entertainment, this was a pleasant offering. It was uplifting. It even had just enough suspense to make it interesting for adults.
Loved this movie!
byhc200323 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Madeline is a cute movie for the whole family -- if you like things when they were more simple! The antics of this young girl, Madeline are somewhat typical, often funny, yet sweet and well-meaning as orphaned child who is lonely and sad. Miss Clavel played by the one and only lovely Frances McDormand has the best facial expressions a nun could have when exasperated, yet, she really loves all the girls, but especially Madeline. And Lord Coo-coo face, well there's just something about him that isn't quite right -- it turns out he's lonely and sad, too just like Madeline. I think this movie was a great way to disappear into a Saturday afternoon and forget all the chaos of the week and bring back fond memories of less rushed times. The entire cast is -- well, they're all a kick!
Charming and sweet
TheLittleSongbird1 April 2010
Not entirely captivating by all means, but very sweet and charming. While the story has some weak spots and the screenplay superficial at times, what saves it is how it is filmed and acted and how it keeps to the spirit of the picture books. I for one loved how it was filmed; I wasn't expecting another Wizard of Oz or Secret Garden, but the film is very nicely shot, with some dark serious tones but I particularly loved the shots of the Parisian skies. The music is beautiful as well and has a certain liveliness to it. The acting is very good; Hattie Jones has a very likable spunk and with her cute appearance the camera clearly loves her. Frances McDormond is perfectly cast as Miss Clavel, staying true to her character. Nigel Hawthorne is given less to do, but he does well with what he is given as Lord Covington(or Lord Cukooface as the girls call him). Overall, this is a charming and I think underrated film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
I'm Not Ashamed to Say I Loved It!
loufalce18 April 2008
If you are looking for crashes, explosions, graphic violence, graphic sex, foul language-look elsewhere.Absolutely captivating children's movie for the whole family. Good screen version of a few of Bemelman's stories well acted by a good cast.Mc Dormond is fine as Miss Clavel ,the nun who runs the house all covered with vines with 12 little girls in two straight lines. Hattie Jones is perfect as the mischievous and adventuresome Madeline, the smallest of the girls.Story has something to do with the school closing, but it does not matter.What is here is well acted, directed and moves at a good pace without any dull stretches. A perfect example of a movie that doesn't "talk down" to its audience. The movie does manage to capture the essence of the characters and they all are fine. Paris never looked so good, even if the time line was changed from the 1930s to the 1950s. The transitions from French to English dialogue can be somewhat confusing, but in the light of the films overall context, they can be overlooked. Film is sweet without being saccharine or overly sugary, and the authority figures do not come across as boobs or idiots, but rather as believable characters.Its a shame that Hattie Jones never made another movie. Her portrayal as Madeline hits all the right notes. She will not disappoint Madeline fans-and there are many, including myself. A charming movie and a treat, Madeline has an overall sense of innocence that seems all too rare in this day and age. Surprisingly intelligent and faithful to its sources, Madeline is a keeper!
What an Adaptation!
callie-522 May 2000
Like so many other girls, I grew up enjoying the adventures of Madeline. I was hesitant when I first heard about the making of this movie. It was like hearing that Tom Hanks would do a serious role, or that Jack Nicholson could play The Joker... I just didn't see it. I was so pleasantly surprised by this movie! The casting of Frances McDormand was impeccable. She had just the right amount of feeling and structure for the role. And the writers didn't revert to the old trick of using the "lead authority figure" as their comedic relief. It would have been a shame to have reduced the figure of Miss Clavell to that of a clown. Several stories from the books have been wonderfully intertwined and makes for great viewing. Young Hattie was a great find for the role of Madeline as well, not precocious, just darn good. This is a great family movie, though not necessarily for the young boys of the family. It was made for girls who know and love Madeline. I highly recommend it!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
