Cruella, the movie about the rebellious earlier years of one of Disney’s favourite and most stylish villains, Cruella De Vil is quite far from the movie I’d hoped for.
I enjoyed some well-executed set pieces, visually stunning cinematic moments, and director Craig Gillespie’s film gets a tad better towards the end. Yet, my overall feeling through to the end was one of disappointment.
For me, Cruella has a certain air of silliness that I wish it didn’t. A quality that I imagine isn’t helped by Emma Stone and Paul Walter Hauser’s over-the-top British accents. Walter Hauser and Stone are sadly not the only accent offenders. Estella/Cruella’s boss at Liberty of London also did his part to bring home my realisation that so many of the people in the film play like caricatures.
Given that the ‘this is so disappointing’ reality of the movie hit me soon after the film started, I couldn’t wait for Emma Thompson’s The Baroness character to show up and help proceedings. Thompson did a superb job, as she always does. Yet, unfortunately, my growing distaste for Gillespie’s film remained.
The story edit felt rushed throughout. The early camera work inside Liberty of London proved unnecessarily dizzying. The way the movie deals with mental illness leaves plenty to be desired. And, what nonsense to expect the audience to believe that for a very long time, thanks to different clothes and makeup, none of the characters could see that Cruella is clearly Estella. I know, I know… a very similar thing happens in the Superman/Clark Kent movies. But those movies are actually good.
I’m sure it’s crystal clear by now, but I did not enjoy Cruella. My disappointment led to the very whiny thought: ‘But when will another Disney movie delight and move me the way Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella did? WHEN?!’
I wanted Cruella to be more grounded than it is. A big part of the issue is that the film never decided whether it was going to be for kids or adults. It went for both in a way that resulted in a movie that I feel failed more than it succeeded.
Have you seen Cruella yet? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Happy Film Loving
G
The Movie My Life 
Thanks for the warning, Gia. It’s everyone’s loss when the people in power can’t decide which way to take it and so it becomes a mess 😦
Isn’t that the truth! And you’re very welcome. 🤓
Interesting! My 26-year-old daughter is seeing it tonight with her friend. It will be interesting to hear her review of the movie.
My sister’s friend watched it and also enjoyed it. Hopefully your daughter and her friend will have fun because it looks like some people do rather like it. Espeially where the costume design is concerned. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🤓
What a shame, I was really hoping this would be good as I love Cruella and Emma Stone. Cruella can’t exist in a world of silliness, she’s too evil!
A big shame for sure. Maybe one day in the future, a less silly version of Cruella’s story will be told. Knowing how studios love returning to established stories, we can almost bet on it. 🤓
Haven’t seen it yet but definitely want to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome! 🤓 And I hope you find more to love than I did.
I sympathize we you here. Cruella is CLeArly Estella, right🦹🏽♀️ lol That just says it all. Silly. Go Superman! But good to point out the gorgeous set designs. That’s a redeemer for sure.
The set design is indeed the main positive my creative friends mention when they talk about the movie.
For me, Cruella is another reminder of the reality that making a great movie is very difficult. Thankfully in this case, it could have been much worse.
Making a great movie IS very difficult😌 We have been blessed with many great ones over the years. And I’m definitely coming to appreciate them more and more. Nice review!