(A-) I like this film mainly because it brings a lot of surprises. Most people know that "101 Dalmatians" is a children's film, which is very exaggerated and noisy. I think this film is also of this type, but I am shocked to see it all. It is more like a combination of "Joker" (2019) and "The Queen Wearing Prada" (2006). It is both fashionable and eye-catching, but also deeply explores the darkness of human nature and the inner torment of mental patients. In my opinion, this is an adult movie, not very suitable for children, at least teenagers can watch it.
This film does not "whitewash" the villain at all, but only allows the audience to clearly understand the reason for her becoming a mad villain. Emma Stone played the young version of Kuila, no longer just relying on exaggerated acting to present a funny villain, but to show how she went from a girl who chased fashion dreams to become frantic because of her ambitions. This is more like "Joker" focuses not on the madness itself, but on the reasons behind it. We all know that the ending is that the clown is the villain, but still can't help but like this character, because once the villain character digs deeper, there is definitely a side to sympathy.
And what caused this change was another main character in the film: the "Baroness" (Baroness, Emma Thompson) who is also the devil of the fashion world. Kuila wanted to become a talented and powerful and successful designer like the "Baroness", but after finally getting the opportunity to work for the "Baroness", he discovered the designer's arrogance and arrogance. The relationship between the characters here is similar to the relationship between the female boss of the fashion magazine and the subordinates in "The Queen Wearing Prada". However, the "bullying" female subordinate did not stop the loss this time and escaped from the bitter sea. As the prequel to "101 Dalmatians", the ending is obvious. In the end, Kuila became the second "Baroness."
It would be wise to find director Craig Gillespey, because he also portrayed two female characters who were driven to madness by reality in "I, Tonya". Moreover, such female characters have changed their usual image of "good wife and loving mother", but become more self-conscious, working hard to pursue personal goals and achieve personal ambitions, and even become a little crazy. In fact, there are all kinds of women in life, and not every woman is a model. Female characters that go against the world and have subversive significance are indeed more complex and changeable in shaping, and they are always full of surprises. It can also be seen that the two female protagonists are also very enjoyable. Kuila and the baroness wrote more than ten times more interesting than the simple facial villain in "101 Dalmatians".
In particular, the role of Emma Thompson once again demonstrates the arrogance of successful people in the fashion industry. Moreover, this film is more reckless than "The Queen Wearing Prada", and the characterization of such characters is completely non-constricted. For example, after eating, throw the plate out of the car window, just like nothing happens, it is so casual~~
Emma Stone is equivalent to playing two roles, one is Stella, who lost her young mother, and the other is Kuila, who hides her identity at night, and shows the different characteristics of the two roles through the change of costumes. During the day, Stella is a cool girl who wears more black, while the Kuila dress at night is quite exaggerated, pursuing the grand palace style, but still has modern rock and punk elements. The main references are Vivian Westwood and Alexander McQueen. It is the domineering queen fan. I personally like her various trousers.
In recent years, Disney has continuously introduced different types of female characters, breaking conventions and stereotypes, and making efforts to present a diverse range of female screen representatives. The most important thing is that this role presents female ambitions. In the past movies, ambitious women are always villains, which is not good, but why only men can be ambitious, but women can only accept fate? What price do those successful women have to pay? Kuila may have some mental problems, but it is undeniable that she is a talented and intelligent woman. She may eventually become a villain, but at least her potential is not imprisoned.
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