CruellaThis is probably the best origin story for a children's movie since the time "Saving Mr Banks" made its premiere in 2013. Interestingly enough, Emma Thompson had a role in both "Saving Mr Banks" and this origin story of "Cruella". "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" is a movie that I have never seen, nor wish to have seen throughout my childhood, teenaged years or adulthood. But, Cruella has certainly incited me enough to at least want to see the Disney movie. Either the cartoon version from 1961 or whatever that live-action movie that featured Glenn Close.
2021's "Cruella" speaks of a story about a young girl (Estella) who lives a rough upbringing with her mother. Because of Estella's hair showing two different colours, Estella gets teased throughout her childhood to a point where whatever retaliation she has for the bullies only gets punished by the headmaster of her school. It takes the intervention of Estella's mother to try and remove Estella from her cruel surroundings and start afresh in London.
Upon visiting an estate, Estella's mother tries to get support from a baroness in some kind of show of a subtle shakedown. The mischievous and inquisitive nature of Estella leads to some mayhem at the Baroness' party, in which a chase by the Baroness' dogs manage to lead Estella's mother to her death. Estella has to run away by herself and find her way to London. When Estella reaches London, in her grief, she forms some sort of relationship with two other homeless children (Jasper and Horace). Her thievery in pickpocketing and petty thefts of items leads Estella to develop her skills in making new outfits. It is her role as outfit maker that leads the desire for Estella to work in a fashion shop as a cleaner -- and not designing clothes as Estella had hoped.
Estella gets terminated from one fashion store after a drunken night designing a new outfit and sleeping in the display window with it. The expected arrival of the Baroness to the fashion store meant that the owner had to fire Estella at the time of the Baroness' arrival. The Baroness, finding out that Estella is unemployed, offers Estella a job to work for the Baroness. Over time, the Baroness shows what a complete narcissist she is with her role of head of London fashion. Estella acts as a type of secretary and designer with the most talent for the Baroness. The Baroness recognises the talent and work ethic of Estella.
One afternoon, Estella notices the necklace, that once belonged to her mother, being worn by the Baroness. It is then revealed to Estella that her mother (Catherine) tried to blackmail the Baroness in exchange for Catherine's silence (about something). More importantly, Estella realises that the reason for her mother's death was because the Baroness had called for her dalmatians to attack Catherine and force her over a cliff face near the estate. This leads Estella to begin her quest for revenge against the Baroness -- and the alter ego of "Cruella" begins.
Cruella, with the help of Jasper and Horace, makes upstaging appearances at the Baroness' fashion shows. Soon, Cruella is the talk of London with the mysterious appearances and fashion leading people to take more interest in Cruella than the Baroness. Mistakes by Jasper and Horace lead the Baroness to locate Estella back to her apartment, where the Baroness tries to get Estella killed in a fire and her friends set up for the murder. Only the intervention of one of the Baroness' employees saves Estella from death. The next day, Estella finds out her real heritage. With the help of a few others, Estella establishes a plan to not only get revenge on the Baroness, but have Estella's rightful heritage reclaimed.
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Emma Stone plays a very good role as Estella Miller/Cruella de Vil. Although Estella's character is the counterbalance to Emma Thompson's Baroness von Hellman, Emma Stone's portrayal of her character seems like a very credible origin to the Cruella story in "101 Dalmatians". There was not a scene in the movie that did not flow from one scene to the next. And you did feel sorry for Estella. Although, at times, there was a bit of a see-saw effect as to who was the greater villain of the movie. Had it not been for the fact of the circumstances of Estella's mother dying, you would probably not "root" for either villain. A very well put together movie. And a movie that actually surprised me pleasantly.
Rating: B