Features

Estella and Cruella, dual personalities driven by unstable emotions

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/3

By Tharishi Hewavithanagamage

Everyone knows her and simply hearing her name is more than enough to send shivers down the spine. Cruella de Vil was first introduced in the novel ‘The Hundred and One Dalmatians’ by Dodie Smith. The story and the character were later reintroduced as animated renditions in Disney’s 1961 movie. The 1996 live action adaptation of the 101 Dalmatians starred Glenn Close as Cruella and she delivered a truly unhinged performance which drew on the traits of the animated film. The latest film, directed by Craig Gillespie, is the newest addition to the line-up of Disney’s journey to give origin stories to some of their most iconic villains. Comedy-drama ‘Cruella’ marks the third live action film in the 101 Dalmatians franchise. The eponymous role is portrayed by Emma Stone, alongside Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong.

Set in London in the 1970s during the emergence of the punk scene, the film follows a young Estella, an aspiring fashion designer. The film unfolds as it explores her childhood and adulthood, everything from the tragedies to the delights that come together to form the final product, Cruella De Vil. Born with the classic black and white ombré hairdo, Estella was extraordinary, intelligent and her love for fashion was clear from the get-go. Her strongest traits were often seen as ‘rebellious’ and much of her younger years are marked by her mother Catherine, a kind and gentle woman, constantly encouraging Estella to try and ‘fit in’ with everyone else around. Following a series of unfortunate events, Estella and her trusty companion Buddy (a dog, yes surprisingly she likes dogs) arrive in London, get into a life of thieving with co-conspirators Jasper and Horace who become her family of sorts. Her career as a fashion designer begins as an apprentice under the tutelage of Baroness von Hellman, of the House of Baroness. As she explores the world of fashion, new revelations of her past force her to embrace and unleash the bold, confident and cruel alter-ego in her.

Unlike Glenn Close’s rendition of Cruella, which focused more on the puppy-skinning villain angle, Emma Stone’s version is more grounded and rebellious than villainous. Close’s version of Cruella was relentless and malevolent whereas Stone’s version is one created from scratch, meaning she has the potential to edge further and tap into her more scary traits. The origin story gives Cruella the chance to tell her story in her own perspective and on her own terms. Her progress from being the timid Estella, to embracing the Cruella within her isn’t forced or rushed as the story paces quite well and each scene unravels the story with great execution. The all too common ‘bad-parenting’ narrative gives Estella/Cruella the necessary foundation to grow. But the highs and the lows of the characters are seamlessly intertwined with dark humour and strong camp aesthetics, while the witty comebacks, petty revenge schemes, mean one-liners and classic soundtracks all scream ‘it’s more fun being bad’.

However, apart from the enthralling performances of the cast, audiences are drawn to the iconic and flamboyant high fashion of the ‘70s. Fashion is the highlight of the film, because Cruella, although evil, is a brilliant fashion designer. Fashion enthusiasts will see that the Baroness’s aesthetic was loosely inspired by Dior. Emma Thompson’s Baroness has a very snobbish wardrobe, which tells audiences that she is a brilliant but rather old-fashioned designer. The changing character arc of the titular character is evident in her fashion choices. Estella opted to wear clothes that allowed her to fit in and keep her out of trouble, but Cruella’s designs were more bold and striking, and became sharper and more tailored as the character grew. Her clothes speak volumes about her personality and her brilliance as a designer. Cruella’s character also taps into the more modern practice of reusing clothes to make new clothing.

Unfortunately the positive aspects of the film are hindered by bad CGI. In addition, there is also the matter of Cruella’s puppy-killer attribute which doesn’t make an appearance in the film. The original Cruella is portrayed as a puppy-killing monster, but strangely Stone’s Cruella doesn’t actually hate dogs. Many audiences assumed that (SPOILER ALERT) it would be odd for Cruella to have a lifelong grudge against the Dalmatians who killed her mother. The Dalmatians appear throughout the film, and one would think the animals were either testing Cruella’s patience or simply giving her ideas to pursue in the future. However, she has no interest in killing (yet), although she does entertain the idea of making pelts out of the Baroness’s dogs. Perhaps it was Disney’s intent to create a villain people could empathize with or root for. Giving Estella/Cruella a dog for a close companion makes her somewhat likeable, but the growing detachment to those close to her possibly hints at her veering off track and truly embracing the original character that more adult audiences grew up disliking.

Emma Stone as Estella and Cruella is simply enthralling to watch. She completely owns her role and immerses and seamlessly fluctuates herself between the dual personalities driven by unstable emotions. She brings depth to both characters, with one trying hard to fit in and accomplish her dreams while the other is bold, intelligent and is the perfect mask to hide her unbearable pain. Emma Stone plays out Estella’s descent into madness exceptionally. Emma Thompson proves to be a very stylish and brilliant antagonist as well. She is wildly reminiscent of and radiates Meryl Streep’s energy in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. Stone and Thompson’s on-screen dynamic is simply ecstatic and riveting to watch as the two icons battle it out fashionably. Joel Fry’s Jasper and Paul Walter Hauser’s Horace bring in the comedy (and sanity) element to the film. From Hauser’s Horace always wanting to know everyone’s ‘angle’, to Jasper grounding Cruella’s thoughts reminding her of their odd-ball family, they add a slightly different touch to the film. They aren’t just her henchmen or a couple of sidekicks, to Cruella in the very depths of her mind, they are her only family.

In the end, ‘Cruella’ does make a refreshing origin story, although Disney has largely stuck with the format of the original character and only made slight tweaks. While exploring the world of fashion, the film also touches on themes of family, togetherness and identity, which no one expects when they hear ‘Cruella De Vil’. The film brings in a fresh perspective of the notorious villainess and allows her to justify herself and her identity as a brilliant but crazy fashion designer. ‘Cruella’ makes a strong and powerful entry in the latest film and it’s unlikely she’ll be going away anytime soon. A sequel may be brewing so audiences can expect to see more of ‘Cruella De Vil’ in the future.

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Features

The hard challenge of clinching a political settlement in the Middle East

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bruised hearts: Displaced Palestinian civilians in the Gaza.(Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite some sections of the Trump administration persisting with the view that the possibility could not be entirely ruled out of there being a diplomatic solution to the current US-Iran hostilities in West Asia, the skeptic could not be blamed for thinking otherwise. The intensity, scale and frequency of the tit-for-tat strikes by the antagonists over the past few days against selected military targets and civilian infrastructure in particular in West Asia make the adoption of this stance excusable.

The continuing hostilities render the mentioning of the MOU signed between the warring parties in mid-June a laughable matter. While it could very well be that the foes are wishing privately for a cessation of hostilities before long, what seems to be uppermost on their minds right now is to negotiate with each other from a position of strength. This strategy compels them to incapacitate each other militarily to the extent possible, lest they have to concede too much to each other during negotiations. Hence the stepped-up hostilities.

However, even on the question of there being a negotiated political settlement in the West Asian theatre in the longer term, the skeptic could come to be seen as scoring over the optimist. Developments on the ground account for this.

At the time of writing Israel’s Netanyahu government is going ahead in fairly care-free fashion with the establishment of more Jewish settlements in the Gaza and the West Bank, and it’s all happening under the apparently complacent gaze of the US. In fact, some quarters estimate that Israel is in control of some 65% of the Gaza Strip. Ethnic cleansing, that is, is being drastically stepped-up.

Accordingly, in terms of the power relations of West Asia, the world is almost back to the status quo of the late forties of the last century when the state of Israel was established and the Palestinians were reduced to a microscopic minority in the land they came to inhabit. Therefore, even the impartial observer would be compelled to ask: ‘Will a negotiated peace be ever possible in the Middle East?’

The humanist in the observer would prefer to answer this question in the affirmative and it is indeed the ideal stance to adopt considering the staggering human and material costs of the conflict. But the way ahead to peace could be expected to be highly hazardous and arduous. Among other odds, it would also prove an uphill endeavour to win minds and hearts.

The US’ Trump administration would need to be counted out in this pursuit. This is on account of the fact that it has been far too wayward in its management of West Asian affairs in particular over the past couple of years. Given its unpredictable character it is a matter for conjecture whether it could be counted on to live up to its commitments.

Moreover, Israel could be expected to ‘go it alone’ in the Middle East regardless of whether US help is coming or otherwise. It has indicated as much in recent times and Israel could be doubted on this score only at the doubter’s peril. Because time and again Israel has demonstrated that it could steadfastly defend its interests even single-handedly in the Middle East. History bears this out.

However, a durable alliance with the US would stand Israel in good stead. On the matter of military and intelligence assistance, for example, the US’s help proved invaluable for Israel in the past and going forward this is bound to be so as well. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Trump administration would give up on Israel, considering that a strong Israel is crucial for the furtherance of the US’ strategic and economic interests in West Asia.

But whether the above factors would have a considerable bearing on the question of working out a durable solution to the West Asian tangle is an entirely different matter. Israel, as in the case of the Palestinian enclaves, is acutely security conscious and would need to satisfy itself fully that it could live in a security environment that would guarantee its complete safety, going forward.

The Middle East is badly in need of another peace effort on the lines of the Oslo Accords of the mid-nineties that brought the key actors together and helped hammer out a solution that addressed some of their notable concerns. To be sure, that process did not prove to be the ideal answer to the tangle, but it yielded some respite to the region and drove home that one-time sworn foes could indeed negotiate with a degree of success. The West Bank authority, although falling short of fulfilling some key Palestinian aspirations, is testimony that a degree of success is possible if the intent is right.

Given the current realities of West Asia, peace-making is bound to be an uphill challenge. The violence faced in recent times by the Palestinian community, in particular, has been nothing less than mind-numbing. Merciless has been the violence visited on them by the Israeli side. In such circumstances, durable peace in the region could smack of an idealist’s dream.

Nevertheless, there needs to be urgently, a meeting of minds over the divides. The US would need to be counted out as an honest broker in bringing the sides together but the rest of the West would do well to step up to the challenge.

In this exercise the onus would be on the world’s democracies to take the initiative and doggedly stay the course. An acceptable combination would be the EU and the UN. Given their credentials, the main sides in West Asia ought to find them the least controversial.

Even if the relevant institutional and political arrangements could be shored up to take a reconciliation process forward, winning hearts and minds for the peace drive would prove a grueling challenge. Over the past few years in particular tens of thousands of hearts and minds on both sides of the divide have been bruised badly in the runaway murderous violence that has come to define the Middle East.

These badly scarred personalities would need to experience healing without much delay. It is therefore a multi-faceted challenge that is at hand. Since wide-ranging expertise would be needed in the healing process, people’s participation in peace-making, ranging over the divides, would need to be made a durable reality. It will be a time for enthroning humanity and ensuring the rejection of all forms of violence and coercion.

Features

Amazing Thailand …right here in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

For many Sri Lankans, Thailand is the go-to holiday — beaches, temples, food, and that famous warm hospitality.

In fact, I’ve been to Amazing Thailand 24 times myself, and was honoured with the Friends of Thailand International Media Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for promoting Thai tourism.

The good news I have for you today is that you don’t even need a passport to get a taste of Amazing Thailand.

The Royal Thai Embassy, in Colombo, is bringing a vibrant slice of Thailand, to the city of Colombo, with Thai Festival 2026 — a cultural experience like never before.

Whether you are an avid enthusiast of Thai culture, a total novice, or simply just interested in exploring foreign cultures, Thai Festival 2026 is going to be the perfect opportunity for you to get more than just a glimpse into one of the most celebrated cultural heritages in South East Asia. And ENTRANCE IS FREE.

The festival will be held on the 1st and 2nd of August, 2026, at Siam Nivasa, 43, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7, and the East Parking Area, of the Colombo Municipal Council, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Both days will be full of live entertainment, and dispersed throughout with Thai cultural displays, including exhilarating traditional dance performances and breathtaking Muay Thai demonstrations.

Exploring art and craft specific to Thailand, tasting irresistible authentic Thai cuisine, and playing arcade games, are just a few more fun-filled events available for visitors at the festival premises.

An array of Thai products will also be available for purchase.

While at the festival, you will find Sri Lankan Alumni from Thai universities sharing their experiences with you and willing to answer any questions you might have, related to studying abroad in Thailand.

You can also register for the Muay Thai workshop that will be happening on the 7th and 8th of August, 2026, in Colombo.

Irresistible authentic Thai cuisine

Visitors can also stand a chance to win traditional Thai souvenirs, get exclusive photo opportunities, and, the big one — to enter the raffle draw, at the end of each day, for the grand prize of an all-inclusive round trip to Thailand.

Be sure to avail yourself of this exceptional opportunity and add a cultural spin to your weekend.

To keep up with the latest updates on Thai Festival 2026, head over to the Thai Festival official social media pages.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo official webpage:

https://colombo.thaiembassy.org

Official social media:

Facebook: @RTEColombo

Instagram: @thaiembassysrilanka

Thai Festival official social media:

Facebook: Thai Festival in Colombo

Instagram: @thaifestival_colombo

TikTok: @thaifestival.incolombo

Features

Thicker, stronger hair …

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hair fall, in this heat, can be so frustrating, and noticing a thin patch is even more worrying. The good news is … yes, with a little care and kitchen ingredients, you can nourish your scalp and support healthy regrowth.

Try these four easy home remedies … even our grandmothers trusted:

* Coconut Oil and Curry Leaves Tonic:

Warm 04 tablespoons of coconut oil, with a handful of curry leaves, till the leaves turn black. Cool, strain, and massage into scalp 02-03 times a week. Leave for 01 hour, or overnight.

Why:

Coconut oil deeply nourishes, while curry leaves help strengthen roots and add shine.

* Onion Juice for Spot Treatment:

With cotton, dab the juice of 01 small onion, directly on the thin/bald patches. Leave for 20-30 minutes, and then wash with a mild shampoo. Use twice a week.

Why:

Rich in sulfur, onion juice helps boost blood circulation to the scalp.

* Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Mask:

Mix 02 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 tablespoon castor oil and apply to the scalp, focusing on thinning areas. Leave for 45 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

Why:

Aloe vera soothes the scalp, while castor oil coats hair to make it look thicker.

* Fenugreek and Curd Strengthening Pack:

You will need 02 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, soaked overnight, and 02 tablespoons plain curd.

Grind to a paste, apply to scalp for 30 minutes, and then wash.

Why:

Fenugreek strengthens strands and reduces breakage.

Extra Tips for Healthy Hair:

Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.

Eat iron and protein rich foods: greens, dhal, eggs, fish.

Use lukewarm water, not hot.

Be gentle when brushing and drying.