WHAT a difference a week makes. All cinemas closed, all major releases postponed. And this at a time when the world needs the escapist pleasures of a good film more than ever.

Of course, the cinematic landscape of 2020 spans far greater distances than the big screen alone. Aside from your old DVD - dare I say VHS too? - collection, digital streaming services have never thrived so. Indeed, anticipating a viewing boom by virtue of social isolation, Netflix has even been forced to lower their video quality to allow servers to cope. Self-isolation has a saviour herein.

It is not, however, a Netflix release that is the concern of this week’s column but one to be found on the new kid in town: Disney+. Boasting an enviable back catalogue of animated favourites, Marvel flicks, Star Wars epics and Fox classics, Disney+ would have plenty on offer if it had chosen to rest on its laurels. It did not. As such, this week sees the release of Lady and the Tramp: yet another live action remake for the House of Mouse.

An iconic tale of puppy love, Lady and the Tramp has proved a fan favourite for over half a century. The story, originally based on Ward Greene’s Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog, tells of a pedigree Cocker Spaniel and the homeless, street smart Schnauzer mutt she falls for after being forced into a kennel for alleged bad behaviour. One or two, generally adroit, tweaks have been made for the live action take but the essence remains true.

Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux lend winning vocal performances to the titular spaghetti crossed lovers, with neat work too from Sam Elliot, Ashley Jenson and Janelle Monáe. The visuals are strong, if more frugally budgeted than Disney’s big screen efforts with The Lion King and Jungle Book of recent years.

Behind the lens, Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) directs with a sturdy eye, of never quite capturing the original magic. That said, in times as these, it’s hard not to be wooed by the charm of adorable dogs and the hope that true love will always find a way.

Watch too, in the coming weeks, for further significant releases on digital platforms. Universal will soon, for instance, allow families to rent Trolls: World Tour from the Sky Store for £15.99 and 48 hours.