Judi Dench on Cats I Can’t Bear It
The world of cinema often casts a long shadow, especially when a production faces widespread critical indifference. For Dame Judi Dench, the experience of a colossal flop offers a unique lens through which to view the complexities of filmmaking and public expectation.
The subject in question is the 2019 film Cats, a production that arrived with massive fanfare but quickly became a widely panned cinematic event. Starring Dench alongside a constellation of other celebrated talents, the film quickly became a touchstone for critical and commercial disappointment.
The reaction to the movie was anything but gentle. Critics were notoriously hostile, and the film’s reception was so stark that it generated memorable, if biting, commentary. Film critic Ed Douglas famously summed up the controversy with a quote that has entered the cultural lexicon: “Cats” is the worst thing to happen to cats since dogs, a remark that later found a popular echo in Ricky Gervais’s Golden Globes routine.
Despite the widespread mockery, Dench reflects that there were no malicious intentions behind the film’s creation. When looking back, she suggests that the outcome was simply a consequence of the process, rather than a deliberate attempt to fail.
In her forthcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?, Dench shares her perspective on the experience, acknowledging the disappointment while emphasizing the pursuit of artistic expression. She reflects that while the final cut was viewed negatively, the process itself offered valuable lessons.
“I never saw the final cut so I can’t judge,” she noted, highlighting the difficulty of retrospective critique. However, she maintains that the core spirit of creation remains important: “Nobody sets out to give a poor performance or make a bad film. You do your best, offer something up and hope that people will get on board and join the party.”
This sentiment points toward an acceptance that success is rarely guaranteed, but the willingness to contribute your best effort is paramount. Dench suggests that even failures offer a chance for growth: “And if something isn’t a success, then there are always things you can say you’ve learnt.”
The memoir, which delves into these complex experiences of ambition, talent, and reception, is set to hit bookstalls in early November, offering readers an intimate look at the journey behind the spotlight.
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