Approved for All Ages
Madeline – Edited
MADELINE brings to the screen Ludwig Bemelmans' classic series of books about a tiny, mischievous schoolgirl and her adventures. Madeline (Hatty Jones) lives in Paris and is the youngest of the girls in her Catholic school. Because she is an orphan, Madeline finds favor with the head nun, Miss Clavell (Frances McDormand). However, when Lady Covington, the school's biggest financial backer dies, her husband Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne), also known to the girls as Lord "Coocoo Face", threatens to close the school. Madeline and the girls become terribly dismayed because they will all be separated and poor Madeline, being the only orphan, will be left with no place to go. Feeling sad, she decides to join the circus, but encounters evil clowns who have kidnapped her friend and neighbor, Pepito. Madeline comes to Pepito's rescue but soon finds herself in trouble. Eventually, the two find their way home and Madeline again tries to persuade Lord Covington to keep the school open. MADELINE remains fairly true to the story books and is a touching and sweet movie. Most children, particularly those who liked the books, will probably love this movie.
