Lady and the Tramp Parent Guide

Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) is a cocker spaniel who lives comfortably with her owners, Jim Dear and Darling (played by Thomas Mann and Kiersey Clemons). When a new baby arrives, Lady’s world is turned upside down. She meets a stray dog named Tramp (voiced by Justin Theroux) and they embark on an adventure where they both learn about loyalty, love, and family.

As is the case with most 90s kids, I grew up with a bookshelf full of Disney VHS tapes. The original 1955 Lady and the Tramp was one of those movies, but it was never a favorite for my siblings and I, which means that it doesn’t strum the same nostalgia cord in me that it might for some. It’s been well over a decade since I last saw it, so I went into this remake with only a vague remembrance of the original. Some parts of this film stirred long forgotten memories of bits of dialogue or plot points. I think it’s very similar to the original, though I couldn’t say exactly how much is a carbon copy. I do know that they cut out the racist cat song, so that’s something.

I’m going to start with the positive, because it won’t take long. Casting Sam Elliott as Trusty the bloodhound was the best choice made in this production because he steals any scene he’s in. Ken Jeong shows up for about 60 seconds, which is also a highlight.

And now for the long part: the negatives. This film is a period piece in the most obnoxious way possible. Every shot hits you over the head yelling, “It! Is! Nine! Teen! Ten!” Because maybe if you’re distracted by Victorian wallpaper and Ford Model Ts you won’t notice how creepy the talking dogs are. Some of the animals are less unsettling than others. Tramp looks believably life like, at least to a point where I could watch him without feeling uncomfortable. Lady is a different story. There’s something about the way her face moves as she speaks that made my ancient monkey brain feel like I needed to climb a tree in order to feel safe again. The cats are even worse. Seriously, when will movie studios learn? Cartoon talking animals are fine, realistic talking animals are not. The narrative overall feels lazy and charmless; musical numbers come out of nowhere and feel out of place, the pacing is uneven, the dog romance feels forced and emotionless. I spent the first half of the movie just waiting for the iconic spaghetti scene and then the remainder checking my watch.

All that said, is it the most terrible children’s movie I’ve ever seen? No. Is it a bland, heartless remake designed to capitalize on nostalgia? Yes. But if you just need something safe you can throw on for kids without having to worry about content, this will do the job.

Quotes from my three-year-old: “Dogs don’t talk!” “Look, Mom! They’re eating pasketti!”