... OH I just realised that in the 1998 version they’re playing Bustopher Jones as having very poor eyesight. He isn’t just being supercilious, they really DO have to get up that close in his face and smile at him for him to focus and acknowledge them - he really DOES need Mistoffelees to show him where the line of ‘inspection-ready’ cats is standing - and Mistoffelees’ and Munkustrap’s anxious attention and repeated grabbing at him isn’t about the fat guy being clumsy but because he genuinely can’t see when he’s about to run into / off something.
well what do you know. he isn’t just a character who is respected and esteemed (and desirable, for some ladies) despite being fat - he is also, from a cat’s POV, significantly disabled. And the fact that they keep having to swoop in to stop him from hurting himself doesn’t make them venerate him any less.
