Madeline
Genre: Animation/Family
Director: Steve Martino
Writer: Jacob Jones
Based on the book series by Ludwig Bemelmans
Voice Cast: Miriam Spumpkin, Meryl Streep, Hugh Bonneville, Ariel Winter, Shiloh Bearman, Quinn Copeland, Malachi Barton, Hayley Faith Negrin, Aria Kane, Thea Eddey, Hadley Belle Miller, Venus Omega Schultheis, Mariel Sheets, Kensington Tallman, Emma Watson
Plot: The sun slowly sets in Paris, France as a boarding school stands bright and tall, prepared for another day. A narrator (Emma Watson) proceeds to explain a typical day for the girls inside.
“In an old house in Paris, all covered with vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines, they break their bread, brush their teeth and went to bed.”
…Or so, the narrator says. Nona (Venus Omega Schultheis) opens an eye and spots Lulu (Thea Eddy) fast asleep. She whispers to Monique (Mariel Sheets) and Sylvie (Hadley Belle Miller), making sure they’re ready. The four plan to start a pillow fight when Yvette (Haley Faith Negrin) wakes up, demanding whoever is talking stop as they’re disrupting her beauty sleep.
The next day, the twelve girls get into two straight lines and walk down the stairs, their teacher and caretaker Miss Clavel (Meryl Streep) leading the way.
During their walk, the girls come across a clown handing out balloons for only one coin, and a police officer chasing after a thief. When they spot a young man on crutches, they are sympathetic. Chloe (Ariel Winter) even hands him a balloon.
“They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines, through rain or shine. Such good little girls in two straight lines. The smallest one was Madeline.”
As the day goes on, the twelve little girls walk the streets of Paris, even as it begins to rain. Once the rain stops however, Miss Clavel does a headcount of the girls and notices that Madeline (Miriam Spumkin) has gone missing. Thankfully, they don’t have to search for long as Madeline is splashing by a stray puddle. Miss Clavel can’t help but smile at her playfulness.
Sometime later, the girls and Miss Clavel are, at the zoo when they hear a loud scream. The group run up to a trembling Danielle (Quinn Copeland), spot a menacing tiger and hide behind Miss Clavel, except for an amused Madeline.
“Poo poo!” Madeline exclaims, surprising the tiger. Madeline giggles, saying that he’s friendly.
On the way home, Miss Clavel again notices that Madeline is missing. This time, she finds Madeline walking on the arches of the bridge, pretending she’s a tightrope walker. Alarmed, Miss Clavel picks her up and warns her not to do such a thing. Anne (Aria Kane) mutters to herself that it’s most unladylike. Madeline, not wanting to scare Miss Clavel, promises not to do such a thing again.
The next day, Madeline wakes up feeling a slight pain in her stomach. She isn’t sure what it is, but feels it’s nothing. Despite this, Madeline is not herself all throughout, something that does not go unnoticed by her best friends Danielle, Chloe and Nicole (Shiloh Bearman). The three try to cheer their friend up by playing some of her favorite games. However, Madeline doesn’t feel much better.
That evening, after Miss Clavel tucks everyone in and shuts the door, Madeline opens her eyes and eyes Nona and Monique. Madeline picks up her pillow, ready to ignite a pillow fight only to clutch her stomach in pain.
“In the middle of the night, Miss Clavel woke up and said…”
“Something is not right!” Miss Clavel ponders out loud and picks up a lantern, rushing towards the girls’ bedroom. She opens the door to find the little girls crowded toward Madeline’s bed, clamoring in concern. On the bed, Madeline sees Miss Clavel in sheer pain and asks what’s happening to her.
A doctor soon arrives at the house to check on Madeline. He tells Miss Clavel that Madeline’s appendix has ruptured and that she must go to the hospital for treatment. The youngest, Lulu, asks Miss Clavel if Madeline is going to be okay. Miss Clavel assures her that everything will be alright.
Mistaking it for Madeline returning the following morning, Nicole, Chloe and Danielle are disappointed to find that she is still in the hospital. The three banter about what an appendix is when Ellie tells them it’s an organ in the stomach.
The next day during school lessons, Chloe raises her hand, asking when Madeline will be back. Miss Clavel admits that she isn’t sure, but that they will come to visit when the time is right. After class wraps up, Miss Clavel returns to her room to write a letter when the phone rings. On the line is Lord Cucuface (Hugh Bonneville), head of the board of trustees and landlord of the old house.
Cucuface asks Miss Clavel how everything is. Clavel is pleased to report that all is well outside of Madeline's appendix. Cucuface briefly extends his sympathies before revealing that the monthly inspection is in a few weeks. As Cucuface holds the old house in such high regard, he expects Clavel and the girls to be on their very best. The two quickly go over the house rules, the most important of which? No animals. With that, Lord Cucuface bids Miss Clavel a good day.
One week later, Miss Clavel decides to take the girls to the hospital to visit Madeline. Excited to see her again, Nicole, Monique and Lulu go over ideas for gifts to give Madeline.
Once they enter the hospital, the girls are amazed to find all the toys, including a dollhouse from her father. Near the end of the visit, Madeline reveals that she got a scar from the surgery. Despite some of the girls being grossed out, Madeline sees it as a symbol of her bravery. Miss Clavel gathers the girls to head off and they say goodbye. On the way home, a jealous Yvette hatches out a plan with Monique and Nona.
That night, Miss Clavel again wakes up, claiming that something is not right. She rushes to the girls’ bedroom where she hears Yvette, Monique and Nona all moaning and clutching their stomachs. Miss Clavel tries to see what the matter is, but Ellie is quick to point out that they’re faking. When pressed on this, Yvette tries to worm her way out only to break into tears, exclaiming that she wants to have her appendix out too.
A few days later, Madeline returns home and is welcomed by the overjoyed girls. Chloe excitedly tells her that they’re getting a new neighbor soon, having seen a car and a moving van. Intrigued, Madeline asks Miss Clavel for permission to see the new neighbors. Miss Clavel accepts.
Miss Clavel and the girls walk towards the new house, enamored when they find the Spanish ambassador, his wife and a young boy wearing a peculiar hat. As Miss Clavel goes to introduce herself, they learn that the boy’s name is Pepito (Malachi Barton). It’s there they are invited to the house for brunch, an invitation Miss Clavel accepts. The girls leave soon after. Madeline stays behind however, noticing Pepito trying to get the attention of his parents and butlers. Madeline skips up to Pepito, saying how nice it is to meet him.
Pepito looks at Madeline and notices her hat. With a mischievous grin, he grabs his slingshot and flings a small stone. Madeline ducks, her hands on her hat. Pepito chuckles, asking if she was impressed. Madeline is not. Pepito then expresses how excited he is to be his new neighbor, claiming that they’ll have more fun tomorrow. Madeline leaves, unnerved at his sinister tone.
The next day, Miss Clavel and the girls return to the ambassador’s house for brunch. While on the way, Madeline quietly warns the girls about Pepito being a ‘bad hat’. After they eat, Pepito lets the girls inside his room, Madeline leading the way just in case. Upon entering, they are greeted by a cacophony of animals, including frogs, birds, bugs and bats. Pepito explains that he captures animals and brings them into his house.
The group of animals, upon spotting the girls, Madeline in particular begin to huddle around them. Madeline gingerly puts a hand on a frog. He immediately hops on the hats of every girl before several animals chase them out of the room. Pepito cackles, stating that his training has worked out perfectly. Madeline tells him that it’s enough and that none of them are interested in his menagerie (outside of Nona).
Upon leaving the ambassador’s house, the girls go about their day as normal, though Madeline remains stuck on Pepito and his menagerie. The next day, before their walk, Nicole asks Madeline if Pepito might be misunderstood. He seemed quite lonely before their visit. Madeline doesn’t answer.
During the walk, the girls try to ask Madeline the same question. Eventually, Madeline loses her temper and stands on top of a bridge arch, ranting that Pepito is a bad hat who trains his animals to target others, as shown yesterday. Before Madeline can finish her rant, a biker whizzes by them, causing her hat to fall off her head, Madeline tries to reach it only to lose her balance and fall into the Seine.
In a panic, the girls and Miss Clavel call out for help. A boater tries but is unable to reach Madeline, as do police officers. In the end, it’s a stray brown dog who saves the day, leaping into the Seine just as Madeline is about to drown and carrying her to safety. Shivering cold, Madeline softly apologizes for going against her promise before asking where the dog that saved her is. Janine, the deaf girl, brings the dog over and Madeline embraces them.
The girls soon notice that the dog has no collar and beg Miss Clavel to take her home with them. Miss Clavel isn’t sure at first, being reminded of the annual inspection, but upon being licked by the dog agrees. Upon entering the house, the dog is given the name Genevieve. Throughout the next few days, Genevieve proves to be a smart, obedient dog though the girls have differing ideas on how to care for her.
That evening, Miss Clavel briefly ponders whether or not she did the right thing letting the girls keep the dog. She sighs, hoping Lord Cucuface will understand the circumstances. Out on the other side of town, Lord Cucuface observes Paris from outside his window before turning around and observing a picture of the old house, Miss Clavel and himself on the day of its opening. Cucuface quietly proclaims that he trusts Clavel to keep her word and tucks himself to sleep.
One day, during the daily walk, Genevieve absent-mindedly follows a group of dogs out to the countryside. Concerned, Madeline snd the girls follow Genevieve and finds Pepito carrying a cat inside a bag, which the dogs must fight for. Terrified, the cat climbs on top of Pepito, pushing his bad hat aside. The dogs circle him as Pepito fears for his life.
Madeline and Genevieve rush to his aid, picking up the cat and being chased by the dogs. Madeline and Pepito climb up a tree with only Genevieve defending them. Up there, Pepito admits that he only acts the way he does cause he doesn’t have anyone else to talk to. The two agree to put aside their differences to get out of this mess. The rest of the little girls help out, taking the cat to shelter and sending the dogs back to where they came from.
Madeline and Genevieve are regarded as heroes for their efforts. Madeline asks Pepito if he’s learned his lesson. Immediately, Pepito vows to never hurt an animal or others again. The two shake on it, burying the hatchet.
That evening, Genevieve sleeps in the girls' bedroom, and becomes the subject of a spat between Yvette, Anne, and Ellie before Madeline points out that because Genevieve saved her life, she should sleep with her. Madeline and Yvette soon agree that there’s only one way to settle this. Madeline throws the first pillow, kicking off what the narrator calls ‘The Great Pillow Fight of 1927. The girls flop and flounder about as feathers fly about and much laughter is had. Madeline finds however that Genevieve has chosen to sleep under her bed.
In Miss Clavel's bedroom, Clavel has a nightmare regarding the inspection, which sees an enraged Lord Cucuface evicting her and the girls, leaving the house condemned and everyone to find new homes. The bad dream ends when Genevieve arrives to lick Miss Clavel's cheeks. Madeline follows suit, serving breakfast in bed before asking if Miss Clavel is alright. Clavel claims that she is before realizing that today is the day of the inspection.
The girls, led by Chloe and Janine, go into overtime to ensure everything is in top shape. By noon, an old car rolls in
and out comes Lord Cucuface. All seems good at first until Cucuface takes a sniff of dog aroma. Cucuface examines the entire house and eventually finds Genevieve sleeping in the girls' room.
Disappointed, Lord Cucuface reminds Miss Clavel that there are to be no animals in the house and that Genevieve must leave. Alarmed, the girls plead with Cucuface to let Genevieve stay. Chloe also mentions that Geevieve saved Madeline's life.
Lord Cucuface remains firm. The dog cannot stay in the premises, regardless of their deeds. He leads the dog out of the house, telling Genevieve to go away and not come back. Lord Cucuface watches Genevieve run off. Before he leaves, Miss Clavel quietly apologizes to Lord Cucuface and says she accepts whatever punishment he hands her. Cucuface decides against one, but notes that he is disappointed in her before heading off.
The girls burst into tears, heartbroken over the loss of Genevieve. The main exception is Madeline, who claims that they can find her if they hurry. Despite her hesitancy, Miss Clavel agrees to the search party. They also enroll Pepito in the hunt. All throughout the day, the girls, Miss Clavel and Pepito search for Genevieve in the streets of France, only for them to return to the old house empty-handed.
That night, Madeline looks out the window, a single tear falling from her eye as she quietly asks where Genevieve could be. She sneaks out of her room and heads to the house next door, tip-toeing into Pepito’s room, accidentally giving him a fright. Madeline and Pepito decide to go in search of Genevieve one last time, believing they haven’t looked everywhere.
With only a flashlight, Madeline and Pepito go in search of Genevieve but have no luck until Madeline finds in the pouring rain a shivering, wet dog. Pepito gently brings Genevieve over, lending her his hat. As the three head back to the old house, Madeline tells Pepito that he’s good after all.
In the middle of the night, Miss Clavel wakes up upon hearing barking noises. She heads outside, finding not only Genevieve but Madeline and Pepito. The girls are overjoyed at first, but when the question of who Genevieve will sleep with tonight occurs, another pillow fight begins.
This time, a stray pillow hits Miss Clavel. Annoyed, Miss Clavel warns that Genevieve will have to leave should there be any more fights about her. Genevieve proceeds to sleep with Miss Clavel for the night.
Early the next morning, Miss Clavel wakes up to find Genevieve missing. Madeline rushes inside her room and leads Miss Clavel to the living room and finds Genevieve gave birth to fourteen puppies, one for each little girl and two more people. Madeline heads outside and tells Pepito the great news, letting him adopt one of the puppies in the process. Nicole asks Madeline what she plans to do with the other puppy.
That afternoon, a blindfolded Lord Cucuface asks what this trick is supposed to be. Madeline takes off the blindfold. Lord Cucuface is horrified upon seeing Genevieve and her thirteen puppies, asking why they have disobeyed his order.
Madeline explains that they love Genevieve, just as much as they love their friends, family and Miss Clavel. They are true companions who are willing to do anything for one another. In fact, Madeline has a puppy just for Cucuface. Madeline hands a small brownish puppy to him, and to her surprise, watches as Lord Cucuface smiles. This puppy reminds him of a dog he once had.
Seeing how much the girls love Genevieve, Lord Cucuface agrees to let the dogs stay, provided they do not interfere with their education. Overjoyed, the girls celebrate with their new doggy companions.
Later that day, Miss Clavel, the girls, Pepito and Lord Cucuface go out for a walk in Paris with their new dogs, taking in all the sights and sounds of France. The group climbs up to the Eiffel Tower, getting the best possible view of France imaginable. Madeline and Geneveive look on, smiling happily as the sun sets.
"Friendship can make your heart soar, and that's all there is, there isn't any more."
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