A One Mann’s Movies review of “Cruella” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Estrella is a feisty but highly creative child with a 50:50 shock of white and black hair. While trying to be good for her mother (Emily Beecham), she can’t help periodically switching to her mischievous side, which her mother has termed “Cruella”. When tragedy strikes, Estrella has to grow up as a street-urchin in London, with the help of her companions Horace (Paul Walter Hauser) and Jasper (Joel Fry).
But her creative side is always drawing her towards her dream of fashion design, via a job at the Liberty department store. When one day Estrella (now Emma Stone) crosses paths with the fashion designer “The Baroness” (Emma Thompson), her life changes forever.
Taking out the trash. Emma Stone as Cruella in a memorable dress. (Source: Disney).
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry, Mark Strong, John McCrea, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste
Directed by: Craig Gillespie.
Written by: Dana Fox and Tony McNamara. (From a story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel and Steve Zissis).
The Baroness on the red carpet. Emma Thompson chewing up all the scenery. (Source: Disney).
“Cruella” Review:
Positives:
- The battle of the Emmas! It’s really difficult to say who wins, since both Emma Thompson and Emma Stone give such fabulous performances here. You might think that Thompson steals a scene at one minute, only for Stone to come surfing in on a garbage truck and outdo her! I think it would be a surprise if both were not nominated for Actress and Supporting Actress Oscars for this.
- The supporting cast is also very strong. Paul Walter Hauser picks up the ‘comedy villain’ role as Horace Badun, and is so entertaining I could just about forgive his ‘gor-blimey-guvnor’ cockney accent: one that gives Dick Van Dyke a run for his money. Joel Fry – most recognisable to me as the useless roadie from “Yesterday” – plays the straight man in the duo, and does it very well. Mark Strong, cast against type as an evil henchman (#humour) is as good as always. And Kirby Howell-Baptiste and John McCrea round off the strong ensemble cast. But a particular shout-out I think should go to young Tipper Seifert-Cleveland who plays the young Estrella: she’s way down the cast list, but I thought she gave a knock-out performance to ground the dramatic opening scenes of the movie.
- Technically, the film is marvellous and surely in line for a slew of technical Oscars next awards season. In fact, I think – even at this early point in the year – you would be a VERY brave person to bet against Cruella picking up the awards for Hair and Makeup (Nadia Stacey), Costume (Jenny Beavan and Tom Davies) and Production Design (Fiona Crombie). It’s a stunning technical achievement – a real attack on the senses.
- The cinematography (Nicholas Karakatsanis) is also spectacular. A ‘single-take’ fly-through of the Liberty store from top to bottom is a tour-de-force, worthy of “1917“-style applause.
- And we should also add to this list a truly banging soundtrack from Nicholas Britell. Many of the tracks chosen – although regular visitors to the cinema screen – catch the mood of the movie brilliantly and add to what is a joy-ride of a flick.
- The script is deliciously dark in places for a Disney film. Definitely NOT one for young children. Perhaps – given that it went down some of the roads it did, it could have been made EVEN BLACKER in places (e.g. with THAT coat!) But some of the twists are delightful, especially ‘mothageddon’ which made me howl with laughter (even though I rather saw a variation of it coming).
Horace, Cruella and Jasper after a night out on the town. (Source: Disney).
Negatives:
- At 134 minutes, I felt the movie was a bit too long. There’s a point (at about 100 minutes, where Emma Stone does her “I am Cruella” speech) which felt to me like the perfect end to a (first) film. I was delighted, happy and very content with the movie, thank-you very much. But then we dived back into the third reel. And, don’t get me wrong, the ending was really entertaining. But, given that I suspect Disney KNEW that this was likely to be a big hit, I think a shorter film teasing for the sequel would have worked better.
- I overheard a comment at the cinema from a lady livid that Cruella seems to LIKE Dalmatians! Even giving them away to friends (well, kind-of) as puppies. Perhaps the reasons for a change of heart are still to come in film #2!
The “I am Cruella” speech (which I thought would have made a good ending for the first film). (Source: Disney).
Additional Notes:
- It’s 12A certificate for a reason. Although a Disney, this is the dark-side of Disney and is not suitable for younger children.
- The movie does have a “monkey” – and for once its worth staying for: an introduction to two of the stars of the original cartoon that we haven’t met yet, and for a rendition of a well-known tune (a TERRIBLE ear-worm that I’ve been quietly humming to myself ever since!).
Part of the strong supporting cast. Kirby Howell-Baptiste plays journalist Anita Darling. (Source: Disney).
Summary Thoughts on “Cruella”:
The cinema summer’s still young, but it’s already had some tricks up its sleeve. First “Nobody” came out of nowhere to delight me. And now, what a surprise! “Cruella” is a blisteringly funny, gloriously colourful and hugely entertaining blockbuster.
You’ll know I’m not a fan of these Disney live-action re-imaginings of classic cartoons (although of course this one has previously had the Glenn Close treatment in two previous films in 1996 and 2000). But this is an origin story I really thought I didn’t want… but now feel that I was wrong.
I’ve seen it described as “Devil Wears Prada meets Joker”. The Prada analogy is well-deserved. But I’m not sure I agree with the Joker analogy. In Joker, our anti-hero was an everyman (albeit a disturbed one) driven to madness and anarchy by others. In Cruella, it’s all inbred and that makes it perhaps even more deliciously dark. The fact that Disney released this – forewarned by a distinctly sombre and stormy castle logo at the start – is a minor miracle, and hopefully signs of more spice and adventure to come.
If you haven’t caught it yet, it’s highly recommended. As well as being in cinemas, its also available to buy on Disney+ streaming for a ludicrously expensive £19.99 …. but it will be available on the channel for free in late August.
Trailer:
The teaser TV trailer for “Cruella” is here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmRKv7n2If8 .
