Madeline (1998)

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Lets go back to 1999. I was 5 years old, and even though I was a boy into "boy things" that didn't like "girl things," I enjoyed Madeline a lot even though it was "girly." There was a lot of fun adventure, great characters, and stories that were simple enough for me to follow. I absolutely loved the cartoon that aired on Toon Disney. That year in Kindergarten we watched this movie, and it was great because it was just like the cartoons I watched on Toon Disney. It captured the imagination very well, even if it was a little scary.And that's it's single flaw, the "PG edge." I watched it recently, and this movie doesn't really do anything for me outside of nostalgia. I can see how it's great for young children, but not really beyond that. I'm kind of board as a young adult, would have been board as a teen, and would have been board as an 8 year old. The 2 swear words, Pepeto's animal room, and the kidnapping plot (main contributors to the PG I suspect), don't really do anything to make the movie "more appealing for older audiences." All I can see these doing is make it less appealing for parents and guardians to put this on for their young children. While all the plots are handled realistically, they laid them on a tad thick, considering that the TV-Y cartoon could pull them off without being too scary.I recommend this for the target audience of young children, and don't be too turned off by the PG rating. This isn't Goonies PG, this isn't Star Wars PG, this is Frozen and Moana level PG.

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

I saw it when I was 8 or so, more than once I believe since I remember it perfectly (around 10 years ago) and I can say that this was a great movie, with a great message, movies like that are missing these days. Sometimes I'm just sorry for some films supposedly "for children" but with plots or a storyline that I think are an insult to their intelligence."Madeline" was an innocent, simple and funny movie that I really enjoyed and highly recommend to families, reminded me of "Matilda". I can't wait to see it again when I have kids....I didn't see that little girl (Hatty Jones) in any other movie which I think is very sad for child actors, but Frances MacDormand is very funny.

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.