Bibliographic Information:
Title: Cruella
Director: Craig Gillespie
Screenplay: Dana Fox and Tony McNamara
Production Company: Walt Disney Pictures
Streaming Service: Disney+
Release date: 2021
Genre: Historical fiction, thriller
Format: Film
Awards or Honors: 2022 Academy Award for Best Costume design, 2021 People’s Choice Awards for Drama Movie
Interest Level: Rated PG-13
Plot Summary: Young Estella has a naughty streak and a fascination for fashion design. When her mother dies in a tragic accident, she creates a chosen family of riff raff on the streets of London. When she grows up, she snags a coveted spot working for the famed fashion designer the Baroness von Hellman, who is as exacting as she is talented. One day, however, Estella sees her wearing a necklace taken from her long-dead mother, and hatches a plan to get it back, starting a game of one-upmanship that threatens them both. Which of these two brilliant women will come out on top? And what secrets will be revealed?
Director Background: Craig Gillespie was born in Sydney, Australia, and moved to New York to attend School of Visual Arts. He has created many award-winning commercials (who knew that was even a thing!) as well as a number of critically acclaimed films such as Lars and the Real Girl and I, Tonya (Wikipedia, n.d.). He is also set to direct a sequel to Cruella.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: This dark origin story for 101 Dalmations’ Cruella DeVille doesn’t disappoint, and even explains how someone as devilish as Cruella came to be. While the source material is a classic children’s animated film, this film is aimed at an older audience, with stunning visuals, fabulous costume design, a pounding 1970s soundtrack, and clever plot twists. All of the characters from the cartoon make a showing in this film as younger, edgier versions of themselves (and a multi-racial cast is an improvement) but familiarity with Perdita and Pongo is not a requirement to enjoy it.
Creative Use for a Library Program: Calling all fashionistas! Host a fashion design party, with materials for collage (including fashion magazines), craft supplies, and scrap fabrics to let imaginations go wild. Including Fashion Plates or Crayola Creations (stencil kits aimed at younger kids) might allow nostalgic teens to remember the fun of mixing and matching outfits from their childhoods.
Speed-Round Book Talk: We all remember Cruella De Vil, but why did she turn out that way. This villain backstory will have you howling, gasping, and chewing your nails to the quick.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: Um, it’s a Disney movie. It will be fine. (Mildly scandalous that it’s a Disney movie that’s PG-13, but teen parents shouldn’t mind.)
Reason for Inclusion: Sometimes teens need to enjoy their childhoods a bit more. This grown-up movie is a little more sophisticated than your average Disney fare, but still allows young adults to indulge their nostalgic side.
Want more? Here’s the official trailer
References
Bradshaw, P. (May 26, 2021). De Vil wears prada in outrageous punk prequel. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/26/cruella-review-emma-stone-emma-thompson-disney-101-dalmatians
imdb.com (n.d.) Cruella [film]. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3228774/
Wikipedia (n.d.) Craig Gillespie. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Gillespie
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