My next musical moment from a 2022 film comes from Matilda the Musical, Netflix’s adaptation of the hit Broadway show.
I’ve never seen the stage show and I’m only passingly familiar with the beloved Danny DeVito-directed original film (let alone the Roald Dahl book), so this was my first real exposure to this story. I ended up liking it quite a bit.
The musical contains plenty of good songs, including ‘Revolting Children’ from the scene that went viral because of the insane choreography by a slew of little kids.
But the moment that moved me most was ‘My House,’ performed by Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, Matilda’s teacher and future guardian. In this scene, Miss Honey reveals her tragic backstory but tells Matilda that she has nevertheless made a modest life for herself that keeps her happy.
I’m used to watching Lashana Lynch kick ass — both literally and figuratively — in The Woman King, No Time to Die and Captain Marvel, but I’d never seen her as vulnerable and tender as she is here.
And the woman has a beautiful voice, too. Is there anything she can’t do?
This roof keeps me dry when the rain falls
This door helps to keep cold at bay
On this floor, I can stand on my own two feet
On this chair, I can write my lessons
On this pillow, I can dream my nights away
And this table, as you can see
Well, it’s perfect for tea
[Chorus]
It isn’t much, but it is enough for me
It isn’t much, but it is enough
[Verse 2]
On these walls I hang wonderful pictures
Through this window, I can watch the seasons change
By this lamp I can read
And I am set free
And when it’s cold outside, I feel no fear
Even in the winter storms, I am warmed
By a small, but stubborn fire
And there is nowhere I would rather be
[Chorus]
It isn’t much, but it is enough for me
For this is my house
This is my house
It isn’t much, but it is еnough for me
This is my house
This is my house
It isn’t much, but it is еnough
[Verse 3: Lashana Lynch, Carl Spencer]
(Don’t cry) And when it’s cold and bleak
(Please don’t cry) I feel no fear, even in the fiercest storms
(Please don’t cry) I am warmed
(Let me wipe away your tears) By this small and stubborn fire
(Forgive me) Even when outside it’s freezing
(I didn’t mean to desert you) I don’t pay much heed
(I know that I hurt you) I know that everything I need is in here
[Outro]
It isn’t much, but it is enough for me
It isn’t much, but it is enough for me
Meet Me In Montauk 
No, there’s nothing she can’t do. In fact, she started out as an aspiring singer songwriter I learned after going down a rabbit hole of admiration and awe when we watched this film over the holidays.
Our clan is quite familiar with all the source material. Big fans of the book and film, we were excited to see the Broadway musical and completely blown away by it. Ron never saw musicals, so his stunned and delighted reaction is one I’ll never forget.
Because the show is an all-time fave, and Ms. Trunchbull is always portrayed by a man, I was hesitant to see the Netflix adaptation with Emma Thompson going full Nanny McPhee to take on the part. It was Lynch’s presence as Honey that lured me in. We ended up adoring the film, too.
Side note… that’s surprise Best Actress nominee Andrea Riseborough as Matilda’s biological mother. 🙂
The musical numbers were astounding on stage, but I enjoyed their cinematic counterparts, too, and today’s SOTD was certainly a standout.
Lynch deserved Oscar consideration for The Woman King alone, but even more so when you include her performance in Matilda.
We saw the theater production in London and thought it was wonderful. Need to see this version as it seems to be great.
So much love for Lashana Lynch and what she was able to do with this role!! I knew this was going to be an emotional moment – seeing this play out on stage certainly brought me to tears.
Overall, I was so so impressed with the way that one of my favorite stories was brought to life on film once again. It’s always a tricky tasks to adapt a musical to film, and I think this was one of the most successful endeavors.