MADELINE


France/US, 1998, 88 minutes, Colour.
Frances Mc Dormand, Nigel Hawthorne, Hatty Jones, Ben Daniels, Stephane Audran, Chantal Neuwirth.
Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer.

I saw Madeline with about 500 nine and under girls and their parents. They didn't fidget. At the end, they applauded.

It's very much a girl's story, a school in Paris (run by a nun called Miss Clavell but in a very old-style habit!, Frances Mc Dormand). There is a crusty old Lord (Nigel Hawthorne) who decides to close the school but the feisty Madeline (Hatty Jones) gets up to all sorts of mischief, but she foils the kidnapping of the Spanish ambassador's son. So, there's plenty going on, and it's all set in Paris.

1. A popular film children, girls, their parents?

2. The popularity of the books? The character of Madeline, British style, adventures? Miss Clavell?

3. The Paris settings, the period, the landmarks, the river Seine, Notre Dame, the school, the old style building, lavish interiors, dining room, kitchen, dormitory? The musical score?

4. Miss Clavell, a nun of the period, her habit, manner, seemingly not belonging to a religious congregation, her piety, her, prayer, her devotion to the children, care, exasperation, participating in the adventures?

5. The nature of the school, the girls, Madeline not having parents, the other girls, their age, classes, excursions, friendship amongst themselves, some rivalries, the Spanish embassy next door, the noise, the boy, clashes, the party, going to the circus, the abduction?

6. Lady Covington, gracious, welcoming the school, with Miss Clavell, very ill, the children’s visit, her death? Lord Covington, his grief, wanting to sell the school, the clashes with Miss Clavell, with the girls, his bringing the different ambassadors, the tour of the school, the behaviour of the girls, the noise next door, the ambassadors not buying? The final visit, the Lady Ambassador, the plea, her decision not to buy the school?

7. Lord Covington, his manner, snobbery, challenged by Madeline, telling the truth about his grief, sharing with him, his acknowledging the truth, his agreeing not to sell?

8. The Spanish ambassador and his wife, the tutor, the boy, the suspicious tutor? His explaining his qualifications? Going to the circus, his friends, the abduction, the escape, the foolishness, literally clowns, allowing for the children to get on the bike, to escape, the chase, their finishing up in the water, the arrest?

9. The character of Madeline, precocious young girl, young girls identifying with her, discipline, spirit of adventure, of challenge?

10. Miss Clavell, interesting character, in charge of the girls, the school, with the children, with Lord Covington, the final chase?

11. A pleasant family entertainment?