Ultimately, the reason Cats (2019) didn’t work is that it never took itself seriously.
You may say “well, how could they possibly do that? The premise is ridiculous.”
Yes, the premise is ridiculous. But the show didn’t earn (at one point) the honor of “longest running show on Broadway” by simply being ridiculous.
People singing and dancing, dressed as cats, only works by suspension of disbelief.
You can’t suspend disbelief if the narrative isn’t trying to take itself seriously.
Will everyone enjoy the show, even when done right? No. There is, thus far, nothing everyone enjoys. We’re all different that way.
But this
Is not taking itself seriously.
They look more anatomically accurate and cost much more money to make, but that’s how they come across as less convincing.
Having the physical attributes. The exaggerated features to play off of is INVALUABLE to a Cats performer and their performance.
Cats (2019) doesn’t try too hard for feline mannerisms, but when they do, it doesn’t work. Why? Because there’s nothing actually there to play off of except imagination.
Imagination is a powerful thing, yes, but practical makeup, costumes, and effects are very useful. CGI is more beneficial when trying to create fully fictional or dangerous to film in landscapes. The ocean, an asteroid field, etc.
While humanoid cats aren’t a real thing, they have been created with practical means on stage for decades.
You can stack a cast until they reach the moon. You could have the absolutely most talented singers, dancers, and actors. It will all be meaningless if the overall production is not being taken seriously. Individual actors taking the project entirely seriously (Ian, Judi, etc.) will not make up for others (editing, effects, producers, etc.) not doing the same.
This absolutely goes for anything, with or without a ridiculous premise.
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Vote for your fave, Reblog & mention in the tags if you prefer OG or TV and feel free to give your thoughts as well ☺️☺️
Check out my masterpost for the links to the other polls ☺️ today is the last day to vote in the track 17 poll and tracks 18 & 19 plus the other bonus poll Favorite Taylor remix with another artist are still open ☺️☺️
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Movie: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Throughout the entirety of the film, a simple gold necklace with a dainty heart-shaped pendant is a staple of Margaret "Maggie the Cat" Pollitt (Elizabeth Taylor). The understated glam of the pendant and the simple elegance of her costumes designed by Helen Rose allows Elizabeth's performance to really shine through, especially since she is known for flaunting her legendary jewelry collection.
Her real-life third husband, film producer Mike Todd, had the necklace made for Elizabeth, along with an identical one for his mother, as a Valentine's Day gift. Elizabeth was photographed wearing it on February 12, 1958 during a press trip to Europe and the 1958 Golden Globe Awards.
The sentiment Elizabeth felt for the necklace was clearly attached to the fact that she received it shortly before Mike died in a plane crash on March 22, 1958. She wore the necklace constantly for almost two years after he died, including his funeral, her wedding to Eddie Fisher and as part of her costume in Suddenly, Last Summer (1959). It wasn’t until 1960 when Taylor landed on the set of Cleopatra (1963) in Rome that the necklace became less of a mainstay in her daily jewels.
Not much is known about the necklace's current location, but Elizabeth may have bequeathed it in her will, just as her former mother-in-law passed it down to her granddaughter, Liza Todd, Elizabeth's only daughter with Mike Todd since it is not part of any of the auctions to benefit the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation throughout the years as well as the Christie's live auction, The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels after her passing.
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