I cannot think of a film I was less concerned about seeing this year than another live action Disney remake…or in this case a prequel. Not only have I not really cared for this new Disney Cash Cow policy of live action remakes (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, etc). But 101 Dalmatians already had two live action films that were up to very little.
That said. I had to eat my apathetic words as Cruella is not only a rather enjoyable watch, but is an objectively good film. It boasted amazing talent, great (if perhaps overused) soundtrack, cool set designs and a story that was actually pretty new and unique despite being based on a long existing character.
Not only that but Craig Gillespie was able to swing a number of risks in this film. For one it’s much longer than the average children’s film (although notably doesn’t feel it).
While I was fully expecting a safe, by the numbers Disney film, the audience is treated to some spectacles that might prove controversial in a more pious parent’s home. There are some heavy handed references to murder, mental illness and corruption that might make some of the target audience uncomfortable.
Well probably not in this day and age…but the point is valid.
However I can’t shake the feeling that one small albeit dark and somewhat immoral change might have elevated Cruella from Disney film to what the more pretentious of us here at film school would call “Cinema”.
Careful now, we’re getting into spoiler territory!
There is a major plot hole that Cruella has left if it intends to remain equally canon to its 101 Dalmatians origins.
In Cruella we learned all about the troubled beginnings that would create the Machiavellian villain we have gotten to know over the years. We learn about her counter culture personality and outsider status that alienates her from the more polite areas of society and how she utilises that to be a dominating figure in the fashion industry. We even see a personality shift from pleasant if slightly mischievous to a diva of Ellen DeGeneres proportions. (Allegedly).
But at no point do we see her become someone who is totally on board to kill some dogs!
That’s a bloody character shift if there ever was one and it’s due to happen in the amount of time it’ll take Pongo and Perdita to reach mating season. I don’t know who goes from massive aficionado of dogs to skinner woman in such a short amount of time. Albeit I don’t know anyone who dislikes Dogs. Probably because I’m British and dogs are held in higher esteem in this country than royalty and any given religious deity.
But her hatred of the spotty breed is teased. Watching your mother being pushed to her death by a gang of poorly CGI’D dalmatians would probably lower anyone’s opinions of dogs. But Emma Stone is best friends with those dogs by the time the credits roll.
So would this change have made the film better?
There is a brief moment while Cruella parades in spotted apparel to “I wanna be your dog” where the audience is lead to think “Holy crap she went through with it” and “Maybe this is too much for a kid’s film”.
I suppose Disney drew the line at wearing somebody’s pets, but it would have completed her evil arc and set up her future, on top of that it would have been a daring move!
I cannot make this any clearer I don’t like to be the one advocating for Puppycide. But maybe…JUST MAYBE! It would have been the big risk that could have changed the rules of Disney films for a long time to come and could have created a far more controversial and talked about film.
On the flip side though…
My flatmate pointed out two potential flaws in my interpretation. One being that perhaps evil Cruella will be a thing of the past and they’re now going for flawed and misunderstood Cruella who like Maleficent, just isn’t as bad previous portrayals made her out to be.
The other being that 101 Dalmatians is told from the dog’s point of view and dogs are occasionally known to be unreliable narrators.
If I’m being entirely honest with myself. I’d have enjoyed the film much less if Cruella went full evil, I grew attached to those football watching hounds and I’m glad she did to.
(Oh no! I reached the end of the article without talking about how she should have gone from hating cigarettes to being a chain smoker throughout the course of the film).
Further Reading…
https://www.vox.com/culture/22451883/cruella-review-disney-emma-stone-101-dalmatians-de-vil
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/cruella-sympathetic-villain-origin-story/
https://screenrant.com/cruella-movie-dalmatians-dogs-mother-death-use-bad/
https://screenrant.com/cruella-movie-101-dalmatians-character-not-kill-problem/
T H E N A I V E F I L M M A K E R 