The 2019 film adaptation of the beloved musical Cats remains a fascinating topic of discussion across the entertainment industry. While critics and audiences largely rejected the movie upon release, few reactions have been as consistently entertaining as that of the musical’s original composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Years after the film hit theaters, Webber continues to voice his profound disappointment with the cinematic interpretation of his stage masterpiece.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Hated Cats So Much, He Did This
To truly understand the depth of Webber’s frustration, you only need to look at his recent pet acquisition. The composer openly admitted that viewing the movie proved so traumatic that he felt compelled to buy a dog for the first time in seven decades. He purchased a Havanese puppy specifically to serve as a therapy animal to help him process the “appalling” cinematic experience.
The story takes an even more amusing turn when the composer travels. Webber explained that when commercial airlines ask why he needs to bring a therapy dog on board the aircraft, he simply writes “the Cats movie” on the required application forms. According to the composer, the airlines universally approve his request without ever demanding a formal doctor’s note. The film’s disastrous reputation clearly serves as a universally understood excuse for emotional distress.
Specific Criticisms of the Adaptation Process
When interviewers ask Webber to detail his specific grievances with the film, he often jokes that the list would take entirely too long to recite. However, his core frustration stems directly from the production’s creative leadership and their refusal to collaborate.
He specifically points to the decisions made by the film’s director, Tom Hooper. According to Webber, Hooper decided to exclude anyone who had been involved with the original stage production from participating in the cinematic adaptation. The original stage show debuted in London in 1981 and became a massive global phenomenon, running for decades on Broadway and the West End.
“The problem with the film was that [director] Tom Hooper decided, as he had with [Les Misérables] that he didn’t want anybody involved in it who was involved in the original show.”
By completely isolating the movie from the creators who built that enduring success, the film production lost the fundamental essence of the musical. Webber summarized the entire endeavor as simply “ridiculous,” expressing his dismay at watching filmmakers completely misunderstand his life’s work.
A Universal Box Office Disappointment
Webber certainly does not stand alone in his incredibly harsh assessment of the film. Despite boasting an Academy Award-winning director and a star-studded cast featuring Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, and Taylor Swift, the movie completely collapsed at the global box office.
Film critics universally panned the project from the moment the first trailer dropped. The movie earned a dismal 19 percent approval rating on aggregate review platforms. Reviewers heavily criticized the unsettling visual effects, uneven tone, and bizarre creative choices regarding character design. Ultimately, the film swept the infamous Razzie Awards, cementing its status as one of the most memorable cinematic failures of the decade.
The Enduring Legacy of the Stage Show
Adapting a beloved stage production for the silver screen always carries significant creative risk. In the case of Cats, ignoring the original creators led to a spectacular misfire that the composer still laments today. However, the stage show itself remains highly resilient and beloved by theater fans. With new iterations like Cats: The Jellicle Ball currently finding success on Broadway, the core musical continues to captivate audiences in its proper theatrical setting. If you want to experience the true magic of Cats, sticking to the live stage performance remains your absolute best option.
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