‘Judy’ delivers with heart, brains and courage

BY Ron and Leigh

Somewhere over the rainbow a young girl became one of the brightest, most tragic movie stars in Hollywood’s Golden Era. Judy Garland, whose warmth and spirit, along with her lush and elegant voice, kept audiences entertained for decades with delightful musicals, but carried a lifelong love-hate relationship with the studios and herself.

Similar to Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (Johnny Cash) or Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” (Winston Churchill), the 48-year old Renee Zellweger delivers the performance of her life, portraying Judy Garland, who died at the age of 47 from an overdose of barbiturates. We know the dreadful outcome, but can’t help but watch the train wreck.

Zellweger, who was born in 1969, the same year Garland died, receives the requisite make-up, prosthetics, wig and costumes before fully immersing herself into the role, far beyond the expected caricature. She channels the legendary singer’s talent, spirit, and heartbreak. This is a riveting interpretation worthy of Academy recognition.

Based on the stage play by Peter Quilter, this is not the typical biopic. Other than a number of flashbacks, it primarily focuses on the last few months of her life. When the superstar should be sitting on top of the world, she is broke, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and facing a losing custody battle for her children. Understandably, she is frail, agitated and frightful as she leaves for London to perform once again.

It would be too easy to deliver this role fully over the top, but Zellweger measures each scene and applies an exacting amount of nuance and flair to convince the audience they are watching a recreation of the final days of this troubled artist. This is a one-woman show that could easily fall flat, but rises to the occasion due exclusively to Zellweger.

The acting is magnificent, but Zellweger surprisingly refused to lip-sync the songs. Instead, she spent a year with a vocal coach to deliver the tunes herself. Arguably, she might not fully equal that legendary voice, but her soulful ballads come close enough to make the performance even more credible than mouthing decades old recordings.

When asked what she takes for depression, Garland responds, “Four husbands; it didn’t work.” Later, she offers, “I just want what everybody wants. I seem to have a harder time getting it.” With all her talent and backing, the real life Frances Gumm realizes “I’m only Judy Garland for one hour a night.” Therefore, she always feels to be at a disadvantage. Knowing “the show must go on,” Judy is willing, but not always ready nor able.

Director Rupert Goold (“True Story”) deliberately conveys an expectedly dark, weepy and heartbreaking tone. The screenplay, by Tom Edge, doesn’t strictly follow Garland’s life in chronological order, but this is not a PBS special. It strongly hints, but does not dwell on her homosexual father, bisexual husband or other connections, which generated the term “Friend of Dorothy” as code words for the LBGT community.

We have not always been fans of Zellweger, but with this performance, a star is born, again. She has also released her first album, a soundtrack of the movie, covering some of Garland’s most memorable songs. “Over the Rainbow” has been covered by well over a hundred artists, but Zellweger’s version is worth the price of admission alone.

“Judy” is one hour fifty-eight minutes and rated PG-13 for substance abuse, thematic content, strong language and smoking. This picture provides a touching and moving portrait of a very troubled woman. Judy Garland could be the poster child for stars that never should have been in show business in the first place. There is no question that she had the talent, but not the emotional makeup to survive in that world.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman” seemed to have revived the musical biopic, but this is a throwback to another era. It’s fascinating, compelling and will leave you feeling like an emotional wreck, but in a good way. It’s difficult for anyone to map out their future, but sometimes it takes more than just following a yellow brick road.

Ron’s Rating: B+ 
Leigh’s Rating: B+