Taglines: Hello cruel world.
Cruella Movie Storyline. Before she becomes Cruella de Vil, teenage Estella has a dream. She wishes to become a fashion designer, having been gifted with talent, innovation, and ambition all in equal measures. But life seems intent on making sure her dreams never come true. Having wound up penniless and orphaned in London at 12, 10 years later Estella runs wild through the city streets with her best friends and partners-in-(petty)-crime, Horace and Jasper, two amateur thieves.
When a chance encounter vaults Estella into the world of the young rich and famous, however, she begins to question the existence she’s built for herself in London and wonders whether she might, indeed, be destined for more after all. When an up-and-coming rock star commissions Estella to design him a signature piece, she begins to feel as though she has truly arrived. But what is the cost of keeping up with the fast crowd- and is it a price Estella is willing to pay?
Cruella is a 2021 American crime comedy film based on the character Cruella de Vil from Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie with a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, from a story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve Zissis. It is the third live-action adaptation in the 101 Dalmatians franchise and serves as a reboot to the film series.
Emma Stone stars as the title character, with Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong in supporting roles. Set in London during the punk rock movement of the 1970s, the film revolves around Estella Miller, an aspiring fashion designer, as she explores the path that will lead her to become a notorious up-and-coming fashion designer known as Cruella de Vil.
Walt Disney Pictures announced the film’s development in 2013, with Andrew Gunn as producer. Stone was cast in 2016 and also serves as an executive producer on the film alongside Glenn Close, who portrayed Cruella in the previous live-action adaptations, 101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000). Principal photography took place in England between August and November 2019.
Cruella premiered in Los Angeles on May 18, 2021, the first major red carpet event since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and was released in the United States theatrically and simultaneously available on Disney+ with its Premier Access feature on May 28. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, praising it for Gillespie’s direction, the performances (particularly Stone, Thompson, and Hauser), costume design, production values, and soundtrack, but criticism for its screenplay. It has grossed over $224 million worldwide, making it the seventh highest-grossing film of 2021. A sequel is currently in development, with Stone set to reprise her role.
Film Review for Cruella
Set in the 1970s, director Craig Gillespie captures the essence of that era in ‘Cruella,’ using two powerhouse performers, who share their first names. Both the Emmas are marvelous in their respective roles. Emma Thompson nails it as one of the most vicious Disney villains – the competitive and self-absorbed Baroness, who shows little mercy to her opponents. And standing tall against her is the young and vivacious Emma Stone, who makes Estella a formidable rival.
Rooting for her is easy, as Stone plays a young, punk version of the classic Disney villain – the stylishly wicked Cruella, who lives up to her name. She joyfully carries her character and costumes with all the required sass and irreverence.
The narrative draws its strength from Emma’s performance, who dominates every scene and even manages to outclass the Glenn Close version of Cruella. Between the two Emmas, the rest of the actors get little opportunity to shine. Still, Fry and Hauser provide good laughs as Jasper and Horace, respectively.
This prequel truly reflects the soul of ‘Cruella De Vil,’ and is one of the darker Disney movies. It depicts the harsh realities of today’s world – from body-shaming to cut-throat competitiveness and domination in the fashion world. The screenplay is well strung together with scenes that progressively intensify the face-off between its two leading ladies. In doing so, writers Dana Fox, Tony McNamara and Aline Brosh McKenna, also lay bare the ugly side of the fashion industry.
The ingenious costumes (Jenny Beavan) deserve a special mention as every signature piece of fashion is suitably unconventional and disruptive. Cruella’s dark theme is enhanced by its delectably devilish score. The film also has its share of action – from thrilling car chases on busy London roads to devastating crashes. After ‘I, Tonya,’ director Craig Gillespie proves his versatility with varied genres.
Cruella’s review is incomplete without the mention of the puppies. It’s a treat for every dog lover. What with some really cute pooches featured in the film, especially Cruella’s partner-in-crime Wink, a brown chihuahua and a terrier named Buddy.
Taking off from the characters that remind you of ‘Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘Harley Quinn,’ this origin story of Disney’s enigmatic supervillain is designed to entertain, even if you’re not a fan or a follower of this famed franchise.
Cruella (2021)
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mark Strong, Janet Henfrey, Linette Beaumont, Hannah Stokely, Robert Cawsey
Screenplay by: Dana Fox, Tony McNamara
Production Design by: Fiona Crombie
Cinematography by: Nicolas Karakatsanis
Film Editing by: Tatiana S. Riegel
Costume Design by: Jenny Beavan
Set Decoration by: Alice Felton
Art Direction by: Martin Foley, Lydia Fry
Music by: Nicholas Britell
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements.
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 28, 2021 (United States)
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