Judy * * * *
I don't know if this truly reflects the life of Judy Garland, and I very much doubt that some of the events we see in this film actually happened, but it remains a really good drama.
The scenario reminded me of the film, Stan and Ollie, in that a fading American star is now getting whatever work she can in the UK. After a short time in the US, where we get an insight into her situation, and we are introduced to some key characters that will recur, the action moves to London which is where Judy Garland spent her last six months.
She was in her forties, her reputation had gone to rack and ruin due to her heavy drinking and drug use, her ex-husband wants custody of their children. She has lost her house and most of her money and can't even demonstrate that she could give her children a stable and secure home life. She has taken the offer of stage work in London in the hope she can raise the funds to re-establish
herself.
She has checked into the grand suite in a London hotel. The promoters are on a knife edge every night, frightened whether she will actually be able to perform, and indeed there are a few disasters, but for most nights she surprises everyone with her professionalism. She emerges from a fog of barbiturates and alcohol and walks onto the stage like she owns it.. In some of the songs you really get it - Ah! That's what makes her great! But here's the rub: it isn't Judy Garland. It's actress Renee Zellweger doing the singing. and wow, what a voice she has!
The story includes the man who became her fifth and last husband. He had grandiose ideas of revitalizing her career. There are quite a few invented scenes: most touching is the gay couple who have always been besotted with her. She makes their dreams come true. They re-appear to play a key part toward the end in a highly contrived but beautiful scene which you want to be true even if it isn't.
She reveals much about herself in dialogue to others and in interviews. Then there are flashbacks of her childhood and the horrendous hours she was made to work at the bullying studio.
Adapted from the stage play this is a beautifully constructed film. Renee Zellweger plays Judy Garland with absolute brilliance. There is talk of an Oscar. She deserves it!
The scenario reminded me of the film, Stan and Ollie, in that a fading American star is now getting whatever work she can in the UK. After a short time in the US, where we get an insight into her situation, and we are introduced to some key characters that will recur, the action moves to London which is where Judy Garland spent her last six months.
She was in her forties, her reputation had gone to rack and ruin due to her heavy drinking and drug use, her ex-husband wants custody of their children. She has lost her house and most of her money and can't even demonstrate that she could give her children a stable and secure home life. She has taken the offer of stage work in London in the hope she can raise the funds to re-establish
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She has checked into the grand suite in a London hotel. The promoters are on a knife edge every night, frightened whether she will actually be able to perform, and indeed there are a few disasters, but for most nights she surprises everyone with her professionalism. She emerges from a fog of barbiturates and alcohol and walks onto the stage like she owns it.. In some of the songs you really get it - Ah! That's what makes her great! But here's the rub: it isn't Judy Garland. It's actress Renee Zellweger doing the singing. and wow, what a voice she has!
The story includes the man who became her fifth and last husband. He had grandiose ideas of revitalizing her career. There are quite a few invented scenes: most touching is the gay couple who have always been besotted with her. She makes their dreams come true. They re-appear to play a key part toward the end in a highly contrived but beautiful scene which you want to be true even if it isn't.
She reveals much about herself in dialogue to others and in interviews. Then there are flashbacks of her childhood and the horrendous hours she was made to work at the bullying studio.
Adapted from the stage play this is a beautifully constructed film. Renee Zellweger plays Judy Garland with absolute brilliance. There is talk of an Oscar. She deserves it!
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