Dame Judi Dench has shared fresh reflections on her involvement in the widely criticized 2019 film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, addressing the project in her forthcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?
Dench, who portrayed the wise feline Old Deuteronomy in the movie directed by Tom Hooper, previously joked that the heavy orange fur coat she wore resembled multiple foxes on her back. In her upcoming book, she offers a more somber assessment of the troubled production, writing that the outcome felt like a missed opportunity for all involved.
Reflecting on the reaction to the picture, the celebrated actor notes that the composer had waited decades for the screen version to materialize, calling the final result a disappointment regarding the collective goodwill and talent poured into the venture. While acknowledging that reviewers were harsh, Dench notes that she never watched the final cut herself and maintains that performers always approach their work hoping for a positive reception.
The cinematic adaptation faced widespread derision upon its release, particularly due to its jarring computer-generated imagery, which famously left a human hand complete with a wedding ring visible on Dench's character. Despite the widespread backlash, Dench insists there were no malicious actors during production, explaining that sometimes projects simply fail to gel when the timing or elements do not align properly.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has also been vocal about his displeasure with the film, previously stating that the director ignored those familiar with the original stage production and describing the adaptation as profoundly misguided. Lloyd Webber humorously recounted that the experience left him so distressed that he acquired a Havanese puppy to serve as an emotional support animal after declaring to an airline representative that the movie was reason enough for the exception.