We made it to the last film before the big Disney Renaissance! There's a string of bonafide classics coming up, but for now, we're swapping one big city for another with the radical retelling of a Dickens classic...
Oliver & Company (1988)
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| 'So when do we get to watch The Little Mermaid?' |
As far as I can remember, this is the second time I've ever seen this film, and on this viewing, I may understand why it didn't make it into my childhood rotation. A loose rehash of Oliver Twist, this movie feels — more strikingly than most — a real product of its time. This is a celebration of the '80s, in the music, fashion, humour, choice of voice artists, and just about every element. As a '90s kid, it seems I was born too late to truly appreciate its atmosphere at the time, or look on it nostalgically as an adult. But it's not without its joyful charms.
The contemporary New York setting is the beating heart of the film and is in large part what roots it to the decade. Unlike The Great Mouse Detective or The Black Cauldron, which reach back into tried-and-tested Disney tropes of fairytales and turn of the century cosiness, Oliver & Company is a big brash, city caper. With a backdrop of traffic and a cast of street-wise canines, this one moves to the rhythm of a new age.
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| Wow, the Beatles really ripped off this scene... |
Unlike the more famous musical version of this story, Disney's rendition swaps out a traditional, Broadway-style score for a style that was everything at the time — the pop music video. From the opening scene-setting number, 'Once Upon A Time In New York City' — performed by '80s icon Huey Lewis — the pop sensibility announces itself. The sound-mixing means that you can still hear the cityscape underneath the musical numbers, but the vocals and the band are clearly laid over the top 'from the studio' afterwards — a classic '80s move.
While Oliver, the wide-eyed kitty, is the official protagonist, the city-slicking pooch Dodger is the poster boy for this strutting, modern-day musical. Voiced by Billy Joel, Dodger is the ring-leader of Fagin's ragtag group of mongrels, treating the city like his playground. From a modern point-of-view, he's a bit of a walking cliché of 'hip dude,' with his 'savoir faire' demeanor, neckerchief, and even wearing shades at one point. You can see where The Simpsons' Poochie got his inspo from, is all I'm saying.
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| How are you doing, fellow groovy dudes? |
Completing Fagin's gang of streetwise doggos is Tito, the Latino, womanizing Chihuahua, Einstein, the ironically dim Great Dane, Francis, a randomly posh British Bull Dog, and Rita, the token
As with Dickens' tale, though, Oliver finds himself in more prosperous company as the story progresses — in this case, into the home of Jenny, a sweet little girl whose parents are very conveniently out of town for the duration of the film. Jenny, who is, let's say, not dissimilar to The Rescuers' Penny (in colouring, demeanor, age, and of course, that nearly-name) immediately takes a shine to the lost kitty and the pair form a very sweet bond, enjoying playing in the park and practising piano together.
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| The only way to greet people nowadays *sanitizes hands* |
This is much to the dismay of the scene-stealing Georgette, the spoilt, showgirl-inspired poodle voiced by Bette Midler, who craves undivided attention. Her song, 'Perfect Isn't Easy,' harks back to Hollywood musicals of the 1950s, where 'dames' were covered in perfume and rolling their eyes over their mobster husbands. With a twinkle of Vegas drag queen thrown in. It's all a little out-of-place, but she's so fabulous, she gets away with it.
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| That post-weekly hairbrush feeling |
These competing new families set up the emotional crux of the film, where Oliver has to choose whose path to follow. Luckily, a string of kidnappings helps clear up the situation. After Fagin attempts to get some cash out of stealing Oliver from Jenny, the ever-menacing Bill Sykes is much more successful in double-crossing Fagin to hold Jenny for a ransom (did I hear plot twist?) while her butler Winston is distracted by watching a wrestling match. It's down to the animals to band together and save the little girl from near-death. Nothing like a terrifying hostage situation to test where a cat's true loyalties lie, eh?
All in all, Oliver & Company is a little too rooted to the period which has aged it more than other 'pets save the day' films like The Aristocats and Lady and the Tramp, but it does have some genuinely funny moments, a tender heart, a rollicking pace, and really expressive character design that gives it a lot of flair. Someone does need to fire that butler though.
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| 'I know it's Monday, please bring wine' |
Villain Rating: 8/10 — Disney's version of Bill Sykes doesn't pull back the punches. He's a physically imposing, fear-inducing mobster, casting a very real shadow over Fagin, Oliver, and Jenny. Kidnapping a small child for a ransom and threatening to feed your enemies to vicious dogs is pretty dark stuff. However, I do have to dock a couple of points for lack of campiness, which for me is the mark of a well-rounded Disney villain.
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| Entering the Zoom chat at the end of a long week |
Best Song: 'Why Should I Worry' by Dodger and the gang, mainly because it's the only song I can still recall after watching the film. It also seems to epitomise the tone of the whole story, blaring saxophones and all.
Disney Detail: Other than Oliver presenting more than a passing resemblance to Simba, and his Aristocats-style piano playing, we can definitely glimpse Roger and Pongo navigating the busy streets of Manhattan, while Fagin's Mickey Mouse watch gives a playful nod to the '80s era of commercialism. Add Tito's rendition of 'Heigh Ho' when he gets frisky, and it's a who's who of Disney references.
Why it's a Classic: This one does seem a little incongruous in the catalogue, with a less nostalgic storytelling style to previous and future films. To its credit though, it's a well-paced adventure with some Disney touchstones that keep it in line with our expectations. An adorable lead, believable friendships, humour, and real peril. Oh, and of course, talking cats and dogs.
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