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.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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

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

I remember seeing this when I used to go to a children's club, we always had a film time, and I guess I just I wanted to watch it again to remember how lame and kiddie it was. Basically Miss Clavel (Fargo's Frances McDormand) is the head-mistress nun who looks after twelve children at the orphanage in France, and the youngest, smallest and at many times most troublesome is red-headed, parent-less and fantastic problem solver Madeline (introducing Hatty Jones). Every moment of this film sees Madeline getting into quite a few situations, and she proves that she has hardly any fear, and she can stand up for herself in front of the grown-ups, especially Lord Covington, aka Lord Cuckoohead (The Madness of King George's Nigel Hawthorne), who is trying to sell the school/orphanage. Also starring Ben Daniels as Leopold the Tutor and Stéphane Audran as Lady Covington. Think Annie (which I absolutely detest) meets Home Alone (a very good family comedy), and that is pretty much the film in a nut-shell, Jones is cuter than Aileen Quinn was, but I suppose the most watchable character for adults is McDormand, a good once-in-a-while (or just once, period) family film. Okay!

The reviews of Madeline range from superb to rubbish, the villain is believable or hopeless, the children charming or irritating, the story gripping or arduous, loved by kids or hated by kids. But one comment cuts to the nub, the children loved the cartoon but not the film.For the MTV generation Madeline is a disappointment, just a well made film, well acted and superbly filmed. No explosions, car chases (well a battered van chase - but not really the same thing), incredible gadgets or over the top villains. Just a good story, low key comedy and if you don't have a tear in your eye at the end then stick to Arnie and Sly.Yes, Paris isn't really like this, and Uzbekistan wasn't independent at the time, but so what. My daughter failed to be appalled at the lack of realism, but watches it over and over again. Perhaps if Spike Lee had made it, the film would have had more gritty realism, but that is to miss the point. If you want a film that younger children will adore, be entertained by and you can let them watch without any qualms then Madeline is it.