Judy

Judy is an interesting movie. The film focuses on the tail end of Judy Garland’s career and her struggles over the custody battle of her kids. It follows her to London where she attempts to revive her career in order to obtain a residence for her children to live in. Renee Zellweger plays the titular role.

 Renee Zellweger is fantastic. She completely transformers into Garland to the point where you forget your watching a movie. She nails both her mannerisms and her voice. She portrays Garland as a lonely aging star who feels alienated.  Zellweger perfectly captures the longingness Garland has for her kids and her ultimate need to be loved. Darci Shaw plays the naive teenage Judy who doesn’t quite understand what she’s sacrificing for a life of showbiz. She wonderfully conveys Judy’s discomfort and disillusionment with her early career.  

Judy is bitter sweet. The movie gives a glimpse into the final years of Garland’s life. Director Robert Goold uses quick little flash backs to show Judy’s terrible showbiz childhood and how it correlates with her hatred of having to perform. He shows the sad irony that Garland hates being a performer yet feels most alive when she’s signing on stage. She’s been doing it since she was a kid and it’s the best way she knows how to connect with people. This film is a fascinating character study of a broken star who fears of being forgotten. 

4 out of 5 stars

2019 PG-13, 1h 58min