101 Dalmations (1996)

The live-action remake of the Disney classic. Directed By:  Stephen Herek Starring:  Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, and Joan Plowright Length:  1 hour, 43 minutes Content Filters:  None

A movie for children who you are certain won't be scared by an exaggerated and obnoxious villainess. In this sometimes light and sometimes heavy story about dogs and people, there are moments of tenderness, moments of comedy, moments of a despicable plot, and moments of a wretched villainess. The story line and screen visuals range from outstanding to outrageous. Yet in the on-going contest producers seem to be having to produce outrageous films, I suppose this was rather mild.

The plot bothered me. We don't even have dogs around our place and I don't go around marching for animal rights, but the very idea of plotting to capture pets, especially puppies, kill them, and use their black and white spotted fur for a fur coat really bothers me. Okay, it didn't happen. But the idea was disgusting. I was surprised the young children watching the show with us were not more upset and scared than they were at the cruelty of the Cruella character, to say nothing of her exaggerated voice, obnoxious make-up, costuming, and attitudes. And I wonder how many nightmares this film has already triggered--and how many more it will cause. There was also a most inappropriate profane use of the name of deity.

Yet in the same film was some absolutely wonderful cinematography--especially of the beautiful Dalmation dogs, Pongo and Perdita, and their precious puppies. Other animal scenes were also delightful and well done. I'm sure there was plenty of this good footage to have made a great picture for kids that families could have really enjoyed together. But the character of the villainess would have needed to be completely redone. I don't know--but if this is the best Disney can do for youngsters, I'm really discouraged. As you noticed, these comments are here and not on our off-line list of movies that cross the line of decency. And, well ... this one didn't quite. But seemingly minutes after meeting Roger (Pongo's owner, played by Jeff Daniels), Anita (Perdita's owner, played by Joely Richardson) had to dry out her clothes at Roger's apartment and they were saying yes to each other about marriage. Maybe they waited for the fast-moving frames that dissolved into the church wedding. I hope so. But this sequence doesn't set a very good guideline about getting to know each other for a reasonable, respectable period of courting before jumping into marriage. So--this movie is better than some on the block right now, but that's not saying much. I don't think old Walt would have liked what his successors at Disney have been doing lately.

Reviewed By:  Glen Griffin
Screenplay Writer:  John Hughes
Author of Book:  Dodie Smith
Production Studio:  Walt Disney Pictures
Musical Score:  Michael Kamen