Emma Stone is breathtaking as Cruella (review)
Graig Gillespie gives us a prequel to 101 Dalmatians, starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.
W9 will rebroadcast this evening Cruellathe free and live adaptation of 101 Dalmatians by Disney Studios. First recommend it, especially if you like Emma Stone (La La Land) and Emma Thompson (Love Actually).
London, 1970s. Emma Stone takes on the memorable role of Glenn Close, who played Cruella de Vil in 1996 (and who left her long fur coat to become executive producer of this prequel). In the new Cruella of Graig Gillespie, young Estella grows up and evolves in the English capital, in a world of incredible fashion with a party feel. The director immerses us in the beginnings of a life, that of Estella/Cruella De Vil (her name in original version), before she becomes the one we all know: the famous Dalmatian thief. Sublimely supported by a quality casting, the film features two Emmas: Stone, in the title role, and Thompson in that of Baroness von Hellman.
Cruella, a film “very different from Joker”, assures Emma Stone
Cruella is not unlike The devil wears Pradawith an imposing and impressive figure embodied by Emma Thompson, who plays his role to perfection. That of a baroness, haughty and contemptible, obsessed with her own success. She is anything but modest and we can only hate her – a performance at odds with her usual roles – as she so cruelly lacks humanity, from start to finish. Emma Stone, for her part, once again confirms her reputation as a great actress. With this score, she proves that she is indeed a chameleon actress, perfectly embracing the almost schizophrenic character of Cruella. But, accompanied by her two lifelong sidekicks, she also forms a touching trio, which punctuates the film. All in grandiose outfits that demonstrate the thoughtful work of costume designer Jenny Beavan. A detail that is important in a film that takes place in the fashion world.
Based on an original story, quite gripping and not at all childish for a film inspired by the Disney universe, Cruella takes us back quite a bit to the original cartoon, if not the physical appearance of its protagonist – from hairstyle to makeup – or the three unfortunate Dalmatians. We don’t see the 2h14 go by, and we feel that Gillespie had fun directing it, just as the actors took pleasure in playing in it, and even the very young actors – only around ten years old – who endorse the roles of the child protagonists. A successful project, and somewhat surprising for the director, whose last film was the Oscar-winning biopic, Me, Tonyain 2017.
Cruella: Paul Walter Hauser finds criticism of the film “ridiculous”
Gillespie also took liberties with Cruella’s life, as evidenced by the plot, costumes and music. This last point is one of the other great successes of the film: reviewing the 60s, 70s and even 80s, the soundtrack is perfectly chosen and crowns, like a cherry on the cake, this project diabolically carried out from start to finish. A film that no one asked for but which stands out as the essential fun shot of this post-health crisis summer.
Trailer :
Where is Cruella 2 with Emma Stone?
