Cruella is an American crime comedy prequel to Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel and 1961 Disney Film – ‘One Hundred and One Dalmatians’. The family-friendly heist movie features imperious performances from Emma Stone (La La Land, The Help) and Emma Thompson (Love Actually, Saving Mr. Banks) and a terrible English accent to rival that of Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins) or Don Cheadle (Ocean’s Eleven) from Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell, Cobra Kai) as Horace. I’m a big fan of Hauser – he was brilliant in Richard Jewell and he even acted this role very well – but I was left somewhat distracted by his accent throughout the film.
The film is a live action prequel or origin story for everyone’s favourite character from ‘One Hundred and One Dalmatians’ – no not Pongo, Cruella herself. The film was obvious, but enjoyable, stupid, but entertaining and about half an hour too long. It incorporated a number of nods to the original film with characters called Anita and Roger and the classic scene where the dogs look like their owners – I have found myself playing along with this concept in real life ever since I first watched the film about 25 years ago – No I don’t mean I own a dopey-looking great Dane, I still look out for dogs that look like their owners.
The costumes were incredible, enabled by the storyline of two rival fashion designers briefly battling it out – the Baroness (Emma Thompson) and Cruella de Vil (Emma Stone). The soundtrack turned out tune after tune, including the likes of the Bee Gees, Rolling Stones and The Doors. However, my personal favourite ‘Time Of The Season’ by the Zombies was expertly juxtaposed with Cruella’s early fashion foray as a cleaner at Liberty department store. The film wasn’t exactly free-flowing but the set pieces were at least successful – hopefully this is similar to England at Euro 2020, which starts this weekend.
It is over-the-top, brainless, but fun – sometimes you just want to take your brain out and watch a film. It was easy to watch, although slightly too long. If you can ignore the half-hearted commentary on nature versus nurture and good versus evil and get past Hauser’s accent you will probably enjoy it. Australian director Craig Gillespie, most famous for his work on ‘I, Tonya’ will have already heard the rumours of a sequel, with his eyes lighting up with dollar signs (USD or AUD – either fine). However, spoiler alert – It’s not needed.
Clingfilm – That’s a wrap!
ClingFilm 