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Original poster

to think 14 is too old to be obsessed with Matilda?

176 replies

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:34

Just want to say, I've never said this to her but just asking if 14 seems a bit old to be obsessed with the new Matilda movie? Was watched twice yesterday and it's already back on again this morning?

It is good and I liked it, so I'm not saying it can't be enjoyed by an older audience, but to be obsessed?

OP posts:
Original poster
SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 11:22

@PuttingDownRoots there's no way most of those kids are any older than 10. Definitely not seen a teenager

OP posts:
whatabeautifulwedding · 29/07/2023 11:23

Nagado · 29/07/2023 10:40

If Matilda is what she’s obsessed with, I think you should be thanking your lucky stars that it’s something so innocent and harmless. There are many, many more dangerous things for a 14 year old girl to be interested in.

This

AleynEivlys · 29/07/2023 11:24

I was obsessed with The Addams Family at around 13 because I had a huge crush-like thing on Morticia. Not a sexual thing particularly I don't think, I just thought she was awesome. Same with Pink (the singer) - I thought she was so cool and wanted to be just like her.

By 14, I had graduated to binge-watching Ace Ventura and then Edward Scissorhands. Proper crushes at that point, though clearly I had very odd taste. 😂

Your daughter probably admires one of the characters. It doesn't matter if they're a little younger than she is - I think lots of teens probably get like this when they identify someone who displays qualities they aspire to possess themselves.

MixedTocopherols · 29/07/2023 11:25

What do you think could theoretically be worrying about this behaviour OP? Like, why does it matter to you? I'm not being arsey, I just don't understand.

The fact that the kid stars are younger than your DD doesn't seem like a reason to worry, IMO.

melj1213 · 29/07/2023 11:26

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:56

@watcherintherye I think the cast is considerably younger, but she definitely loves the singing and dancing!

She's shy, so as much as she loves the idea of musical theatre, she isn't keen on actually doing it.

The cast are not considerably younger - they're all around 12-15 so exactly the same age as your DD.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving a musical - When I was your DDs age my obsession was Newsies (it came out in 1992 with a teenage Christian Bale) and I saw it randomly on TV one day when I was about 8 and fell in love with it. I was so obsessed with talking about it my dad got me the video when he was in the US for work and saw it in a shop. I wore that video out as I watched it so much, which was a big deal when it wasn't available in the UK (it was a bit of a Disney flop at the time of release but turned into a cult classic later on) and I had to wait for my aunt in the USA to send me a new copy for my birthday.

I'm 37 now and have just come back from a trip to London to see Newsies at Wembley Park theatre and have listened to the Broadway soundtrack (and watched the proshot when it went on Disney+) countless times since its release in 2011 ... There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a love for a specific musical!

Incidentally on my trip to London I also saw Operation Mincemeat and loved it - I've listened to the soundtrack about 20 times on Spotify since I came back a few weeks ago, it's no different to rewatching a film repeatedly, it's comforting, fun and you pick up new things every single time.

Crumbcatcher · 29/07/2023 11:26

The red beret girl was 14 when it was filmed a couple of years ago, her dance was viral on tiktok.

askmeonemoretime · 29/07/2023 11:27

Why should OP be pleased she is obsessed about something innocent.
Thinking about boys or girls and sex is normal as you grow up.
Why do you want teenagers to be unnocent.

MelonsOnSaleAgain · 29/07/2023 11:28

Not at all. At 14 I still watches films in loop. It gave me a sense of security at an otherwise challenging time of lots of change. I still go back to my old favourites now, at the age of 41, at times of stress and challenge. I don’t see why you’d have a problem with it.

ChesterAndRaoul · 29/07/2023 11:29

You really should support her in whatever she likes, whether you think it's 'normal' or not. (Obviously as long as it is not illegal or unhealthy, which this is not)

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 29/07/2023 11:29

What concerns you about it?

EarthlyNightshade · 29/07/2023 11:31

askmeonemoretime · 29/07/2023 11:27

Why should OP be pleased she is obsessed about something innocent.
Thinking about boys or girls and sex is normal as you grow up.
Why do you want teenagers to be unnocent.

She can be pleased or not, but I would be delighted.

The world of boys, drugs, vaping, drinking, etc is a lot more tricky to manage, both as 14 year old and as the parent.

OhNoOhNo · 29/07/2023 11:31

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 11:22

@PuttingDownRoots there's no way most of those kids are any older than 10. Definitely not seen a teenager

You really aren’t taking in anything people are saying, are you?

itsgettingweird · 29/07/2023 11:32

When I was about this age my watch over and over again film was Free Willy 🫣🤣

Lots of teens do it. It's comforting.

My ds used to watch Harry Potter from beginning to end every school holiday over the weekend before going back.

WomblingTree86 · 29/07/2023 11:32

I find it quite funny that you think watching something three times equals being obsessed. My DDs could manage a lot more than that with several musicals if they had the time. 😂

IAmMerfacus · 29/07/2023 11:34

AnnaMagnani · 29/07/2023 10:46

Around 14, my friends and I would get completely obsessed with films and watch them over and over. I feel sorry for my parents who would get treated to Amadeus at any possible opportunity.

This, 13/14 was definitely the age for obsessions.

But then even as an adult I like to rewatch things, especially when going through difficult times.

Joey2323 · 29/07/2023 11:34

I’m a lot older than 14 and I love matilda 😂 and I often rewatch childish things. They’re comforting!

melj1213 · 29/07/2023 11:34

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 11:22

@PuttingDownRoots there's no way most of those kids are any older than 10. Definitely not seen a teenager

I mean Alisha Weir who played Matilda is 13 so you're factually incorrect already before you even get into the rest of the supporting child cast ...

coconutpie · 29/07/2023 11:35

It's a bit sad that to be asking if a 14yo is too old to be watching Matilda a few times over the course of a couple of days Sad She's just a kid!!! Of course she's not too old!!! Matilda is a great movie!

Weflewinstyle · 29/07/2023 11:36

Who needs enemies when you have a mother that starts a thread canvassing opinion on you

Plonkydonkey · 29/07/2023 11:38

My daughter had les mis on for 6 months in a loop..... As you can imagine... I can not stand it now. I could probably work in the stage production as I have memorised the parts.... I'd love Matilda. But the original

Wintersgirl · 29/07/2023 11:39

Why do you have to be too old for anything? I'm in my forties and I love Spongebob Squarepants!

KateJohns · 29/07/2023 11:40

I'm 43 and in obsessed with
Bluey
Hilda on Netflix
My Little Pony
Stardew Valley
Disney Films

If anyone ever said I was too old to enjoy things I enjoy, I'd slap them with a kipper and if I didn't have a kipper, I'd say ttfn..
Go to the local bus stop.
Get a bus into town.
Go to the fish monger.
Buy a kipper.
Get back on the bus home.
Knock on the person's door.
And then slap them with a kipper.

Let people like what they like and be who they want to be as kind as they're not infringing other rights or hurting anyone.

oakleaffy · 29/07/2023 11:42

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:34

Just want to say, I've never said this to her but just asking if 14 seems a bit old to be obsessed with the new Matilda movie? Was watched twice yesterday and it's already back on again this morning?

It is good and I liked it, so I'm not saying it can't be enjoyed by an older audience, but to be obsessed?

It's ok. It's not harming her.

Jobalob · 29/07/2023 11:42

My 17 year old and her best friend watch Peppa Pig whenever they’re together. I think Matilda is fine, I’m sure that the young cast really draws them in if they like singing and dancing. It’s a fabulous movie.

my sisters watched grease and dirty dancing at least 200 times and I’m not exaggerating, when they were rhat age

oakleaffy · 29/07/2023 11:43

Jobalob · 29/07/2023 11:42

My 17 year old and her best friend watch Peppa Pig whenever they’re together. I think Matilda is fine, I’m sure that the young cast really draws them in if they like singing and dancing. It’s a fabulous movie.

my sisters watched grease and dirty dancing at least 200 times and I’m not exaggerating, when they were rhat age

My son watched AC/DC ''fly on the wall'' over and over as a 10 yr old - And many other vids.