Madeline

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.

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.

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.

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.

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