Review of Judy (2019) by Markhreviews — 16 Oct 2019

It’s ironic that a movie about Judy Garland, notorious for her recklessness and on-the-edge behavior, plays it so safe. The script’s major downfall is its by-the-numbers approach. We have the obligatory flashbacks to establish childhood trauma. We see the ongoing ravages of drug and alcohol abuse. We conclude with a big, moving finale.

This lack of structural creativity, though, certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go along for the ride. As Garland, Renee Zellweger is fantastic. After reportedly working with a vocal coach for over a year, Zellweger sings all of her own songs – no lip-synching, no “amalgamation” of voices (we’re looking at you, “Bohemian Rhapsody”) – just honest, unadulterated excellence. As an actress, Zellweger is equally adept, persuasively capturing Garland’s unique mixture of bravado, insecurity and performance genius.

“Judy” covers the period early in 1969 when Garland had a six-week run of shows at the Talk of the Town Theater in London (it’s now the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square). From press reports at the time, Garland was consistently late to go on stage and her performances were erratic. Those close to her said she was terrified to face these live audiences, but ironically would often arrive so late that all the goodwill in the room had already dissipated. Just another chapter in her epic of self-destruction.

Toward the end of the film, Director Robert Goold (“True Story”) and Screenwriter Tom Edge (“The Crown,” “CB Strike”) redeem themselves by suggesting compellingly that Garland’s greatest love-hate relationship, and perhaps her greatest addiction, was with fame itself. There’s also the ironic suggestion that, while her close relationships were generally disasters (she was married five times), her relationships with audiences were much more fully requited.

Like Garland herself, this film is far from perfect. But also like Garland herself, the redemptive moments – particularly with Zellweger belting onstage – make it easy to forgive and forget what came before and what follows.