Judy

— I wasn’t sure what to expect given the mixed feelings people have over Zellweger’s “Judy.” It helps to know you’re looking at an impression of a relatively short period in Garland’s life, and a period where life had already taken it’s toll. Zellweger’s talents shine and, instead of “becoming” Garland in the sense that some actor’s might, she assumes many of her attributes—her frailties, her demeanor, her edginess, and her charisma—allowing the viewer to believe they’re seeing someone other than Zellweger, someone embodying Garland’s soul. Of course, Zellweger’s singing voice doesn’t have the range of Garland’s, but she does a good job of infusing the emotion and tenor of Garland into the songs. I found the film a little slow moving at first, when flashbacks of Garland’s childhood emphasize the damage done under the iron hand of Louis B. Mayer and the studio system, probably resulting in Garland always being “on stage,” even later in life, instead of finding a way to share her public persona with a private one away from the spotlight. It’s not a perfect film and Garland aficionados may find fault, but in the end it took hold of my heart.

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[2019. 118 min. Directed by Rupert Goold. Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, and Finn Wittrock.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/judy-movie-review-2019