Date: Fri 28-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Illustration: C

Location: A14

Quick Words:

Playing-101-Dalmatians-Close

Full Text:

(rev "101 Dalmatians" for Now Playing, 3/28/97)

Now Playing-

Close's Villainess Saves `Dalmatians'

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Early in 101 Dalmatians , in Newtown's Edmond Town Hall for the second of its

two-week run, Roger (Jeff Daniels), a struggling video game programmer, takes

his latest concoction to a prospective buyer, optimistic for a big deal. But

his hopes are dashed when a bespectacled little tyke, the one calling the

shots, tells him to try again because his villain just doesn't cut it. It's

all in the bad guys, he advises Roger, and this maxim might as well apply to

the essence of this film, which boasts a scene-stealingly boisterous turn by

Glenn Close that does for this film what Jack Nicholson did for Batman .

As the dastardly Cruella De Vil, Close provides 101 Dalmatians with a

deliciously campy, unencumbered performance that acts as a springboard from

which the rest of the film may soar. You see, 101 Dalmatians features enough

canine and animal antics to rival Babe (sans voice-overs), and without Close's

queen of mean doing her sneering shtick, the film would come dangerously close

to overdosing on its own sweetness.

The sugary sentiment begins early when Roger and his faithful dalmatian

companion, Pongo, cross paths with fashion sketch-artist Anita (Joely

Richardson) and her spotted pooch, Perdy. It's love at first sight - for the

dogs, that is. It is the first of many sequences that treats the four-legged

contingent of this flick as silent-film stars, emoting passionately and

acutely without the use of dialogue. Effectively used at least once before by

director Stephen Herek ( Mr Holland's Opus ), this clever style keeps the film

from seeming as if it were pandering to the lowest common denominator in the

audience.

Roger and Anita soon follow suit of their adorable pets' puppy-love example,

and before you know it, a bonafide family has formed. But as marital bliss and

happiness blossom at home, diabolical scheming erupts at Anita's workplace as

fashion boss De Vil does not take too kindly to having the loyalties of her

star employee divided. But fur fiend De Vil does take a shining to Roger and

Anita's dogs, who are soon expecting pups. What heinous plans could Cruella be

hatching?

Typically, I'm the first to cry foul when a film arrives with all pomp and

little plot. (Those of you who have heard me rail about Twister know what I

mean.) To be sure, the complexities of 101 Dalmatians will not be mistaken for

the labyrinthine narrative of, say The Usual Suspects . But whatever this

movie lacks in depth, it makes up for with style, occasional flashes of wit,

and the aforementioned Close.

It goes without saying that the movie's "Awww..." factor is nearly off the

charts. How could you not have audiences cooing at the screen when flashes of

white and black spots keep mugging at the camera? Yet the range of the

four-footers and their proficiency at conveying a broad scope of feelings is

often astounding. Plus, the film features a number of extended, dialogue-less

sequences in which horses, sheep, pigs, raccoons and other members of the

animal kingdom literally carry the narrative along. It's a marvel to watch,

not to mention just plain fun.

Herek and crew also were wise to place the setting in London, instead of

moving it to New York or LA. This may seem like a minor detail, but because of

it the film exudes a richer, more polished look, and also benefits from the

presence of British character actors (particularly Hugh Laurie and Mark

Williams, who play Cruella's bumbling cronies).

Still, 101 Dalmatians , rated G, a fun romp with many pleasures, can mainly

cite one Close call for its lasting, indelible impression.