Cruella

There has been a continuing trend these days in television and movies to make prequels. Cruella is the latest movie to take an old favorite, in this case, 101 Dalmatians, and attempt to give us the back story. I did not hold out high hopes for a live action prequel to one of the lesser Disney animated movies. So, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Well done to all concerned! Emma Stone is excellent as Estella, a problem causing girl, who was born with two-toned hair and a rather dark side to her personality that she nicknames Cruella. She causes enough difficulties that she and her mother have to head for London – with a stop where her mother hopes for help from a mysterious potential benefactor. Estella manages to get into trouble – again!- and the dogs are set on her. She is eventually orphaned! The story follows Estella as she makes her way to London, where she is befriended by two lovable (and slightly clueless) street urchins a la Oliver Twist. Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser play these lovable petty criminals as a kind of Laurel and Hardy. After some clever and comic grifting, Emma, who with her friends is no longer a kid, moves on to pursue a career in fashion, something that was always in her dreams. Estella starts out as a janitor at an upscale clothiers, and is noticed by “THE Barroness,” a very haughty, influential clothing designer. She catches the Baroness’s eye, and favor, and works her way up to assistant before finally branching out to create her own designing company. And she’s ready to take on this Baroness. Enter Cruella! The duels between the two are lively and fierce. Emma Thompson has a field day playing the supremely arrogant and overbearing fashion designer Baroness; who eventually is revealed to be an individual much more cruel than Cruella herself as her rivalry with Estella intensifies. Rounding out the cast is Mark Strong who seems to be a henchman to the Baroness, but turns out to be something else. I wouldn’t be surprised if both Emmas were nominated for awards, their acting is just that good and so captivating! Throw in a great soundtrack, gorgeous costumes, bold effects, two cute dogs and some twists and turns and you have quite a thrilling ride. I strongly urge you to NOT watch this movie on Apple Plus. This is one of those movies that is too big for a mere TV screen. Do yoourself a favor and see this one on a big screen. You won’t be sorry.