Summary
- Dench, who played Old Deuteronomy in the film, said she had never watched the final cut, despite the film’s hostile critical reception.
- “I never saw the final cut so I can’t judge.” Despite the film’s poor reception, Dench defended those involved in its production, including co-stars Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and Ian McKellen.
- Dench said films could fail despite the good intentions of those making them, citing factors such as timing and whether the cast worked well together.
British actress Judi Dench has described the 2019 film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats as “a waste of all that goodwill and talent” in her forthcoming memoir.
Dench, who played Old Deuteronomy in the film, said she had never watched the final cut, despite the film’s hostile critical reception.
“Oh God, I can’t bear it — and [Lloyd Webber] had waited so long for it to be made,” she wrote, reflecting on the adaptation of the composer’s long-running stage musical.
“What a waste of all that goodwill and talent. I understand the critics were rather hostile to the film,” she added. “I never saw the final cut so I can’t judge.”
Despite the film’s poor reception, Dench defended those involved in its production, including co-stars Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and Ian McKellen.
“All I’ll say is 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,” she wrote.
Dench said films could fail despite the good intentions of those making them, citing factors such as timing and whether the cast worked well together.
“But people’s intentions are mostly honourable. There were no villains in the making of Cats. And if something isn’t a success, then there are always things you can say you’ve learnt,” she wrote.
The film, directed by Tom Hooper, was widely criticised following its release in 2019. Dench was nominated for worst supporting actress at the 2020 Golden Raspberry Awards, which recognise the year’s least successful films and performances.
When told about the nomination during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row in March 2020, Dench responded: “Oh, am I? That would be good. As far as I know, that’s a first!”
Dench’s memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, is due to be published in November.
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