Judi Dench has shared her candid thoughts on the widely panned Cats movie, and the veteran actor has little reason to celebrate its legacy. Hollywood has seen its fair share of ambitious projects that fail to land, but few have become quite as infamous as Tom Hooper’s 2019 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit stage musical.

With an ensemble featuring Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, and James Corden, the film had star power to spare. Unfortunately, its uncanny CGI cat transformations became a distraction of their own, turning what should have been a theatrical spectacle into a cinematic curiosity.

For Dench, who played Old Deuteronomy, the film’s disappointing reception was about more than its unfortunate digital fur. 

In her forthcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, Judi Dench reflects on the experience of making Cats and the disappointment surrounding its release. The actress recalled how long Lloyd Webber had waited for the musical to be adapted for cinema.

“Oh God, I can’t bear it – and [Lloyd Webber] had waited so long for it to be made. What a waste of all that goodwill and talent,” Dench wrote.

Despite acknowledging that critics had been hostile toward the film, Dench clarified that she had never seen the final cut and therefore could not judge the finished product herself. She also defended the people involved, stressing that nobody sets out to make a bad film. 

“It’s a miracle that anything is ever made – films, plays, TV – let alone turn out to be a success,” she added, pointing to the many moving parts involved in bringing a production to life.

"Don't go to the theatre"- Judi Dench Adds Her Voice To The Chorus Of Actors Opposing Trigger Warnings

But Dench has also been outspoken about another debate surrounding how audiences experience entertainment today.

Judi Dench questioned the growing use of trigger warnings in films and theatre, arguing that some advisories reveal too much about a production before audiences experience it while speaking to Brendan O’Hea for her memoir.

“I think they have gone too far. It’s mollycoddling. If you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater,” she said.

While such advisories can help viewers prepare for distressing material, Dench believes there should be limits to how much a production reveals in advance.

Whether discussing a film that missed the mark or warnings that might give too much away, Dench remains unafraid to speak her mind. And if Cats taught Hollywood anything, it is that even the most talented cast cannot guarantee a standing ovation.

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