Craig Gillespie’s 2021 film ‘Cruella’ is a fresh and stylish (in more ways than one) take on an origins story for the villain with a penchant for fur coats from Dodie Smith’s 1956 children’s novel and the classic Disney film ‘101 Dalmatians’.
Emma Stone brings wit, sass, and intelligence to the titular role of Estella/Cruella, and it is clear throughout the film that she enjoys playing with the many different aspects of the character. The story follows young Estella, who is naturally endowed with black and white hair, and encouraged by her mother to ‘follow the pattern’ and curb the more rebellious, lively side of her personality, whom she refers to as Cruella.
When her mother is killed in a chain of events involving a stranger, an extravagant party, and a pack of Dalmatians, Estella/Cruella becomes an orphan, and heads to London, where she meets and forms a gang with loveable rogues Horace and Jasper, played by Paul Walter Hauser and Joel Fry. The trio grow up together operating as con artists, with Horace and Jasper recognising Estella’s talents as an aspiring fashion designer, and eventually conspiring to get her job at the famous Liberty department store.
In a fabulous scene in which Estella places her own stamp on the Liberty window display, she is talent spotted by the formidable Baroness, played with panache and steel by Emma Thompson. The Baroness is the head of a high-end couture fashion house, and Estella goes to work for her in a scenario reminiscent of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (the Baroness would certainly be a worthy rival for Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly). However, when she unwittingly makes a discovery about her new boss, Estella hatches a plan to ruin the Baroness and sabotage her empire by presenting herself as a rival, punk-inspired fashionista through her alter-ego, Cruella. Cue plenty of capers and action sequences, sharp, witty dialogue, and visually stunning sets.
For me, the cornerstone of the film is Emma Stone’s central performance as Estella/Cruella, and the multi-dimensional, more complex version of the character we meet in ‘Cruella’. Like most relatable characters, both the Estella/Cruella alter egos have shades of light and dark in their personalities. Estella is bright and talented, and has a genuine friendship with Horace and Jasper, but she is by no means a spotless character; she has established a life as a con artist, and has an ambitious, determined side to her personality. At the other end of the spectrum, the Cruella we see in this film is very different to the maniacal, outright villainous character in the classic Disney film, and Glen Close’s memorable, demonic portrayal in the 1996 remake. She is excessive and outrageous, but she has moments of vulnerability and regret, and there are some particularly great interaction scenes between Cruella and Jasper.
Another striking feature of ‘Cruella’ is the soundtrack, featuring an array of big hitting anthems designed to evoke the 1960s/1970s era in which the film is set, including Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’, Blondie’s ‘One Way Or Another’, and The Clash’ ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’. In a memorable scene in the Liberty department store, Emma Stone also provides a fabulous rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Are Made for Walking’. A suitably haunting, original song, ‘Call Me Cruella’, is provided by Florence and the Machine, and is reminiscent of the famous ‘Cruella de Vil’ song from the original Disney film.
It is also impossible to talk about ‘Cruella’ without mentioning the costumes, which genuinely make every scene a visual feast for the eye, from the sculptured, sharply cut dresses worn by the Baroness, to the leather and lace ensembles worn by Estella. For me, a particular highlight is the red fishtail dress worn by Cruella when she makes a colourful entrance at the Baroness’ black and white ball. I also felt that the costumes were brilliantly used to convey the emerging punk rock style of the era, and Estella/Cruella’s more rebellious, inventive approach to fashion.
A devilishly enjoyable film, ‘Cruella’ will keep both younger and older audiences engrossed and entertained.
As a postscript, for those who are partial to the original ‘101 Dalmatians’ story, keep on watching to the end of the credits.
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