'Judy' - A Movie Review

Somewhere over the rainbow, dreams really do come true.

Judy is a 2019 biopic about the struggling final years of the famous actress and singer, Judy Garland. Struggling to raise her children along with taking care of herself, Garland makes a deal to perform in sold-out concerts in London. While audiences endlessly applaud, offstage Garland’s life continues to decline.

Since I was a little girl, I loved Judy Garland, especially after seeing her most famous role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz . It wasn’t until I learned about Garland’s dark life offscreen that I started to research more about her. Judy is an eye-opening, entertaining and deep film that recognizes the side of Judy Garland that many may not know about.

Renée Zellweger captured a genuine performance of Judy Garland. Everything from her love for her children, entertaining performances, and even noting Garland’s nervous facial ticks (which I never knew about), nobody else could have carried out such a difficult role like Zellweger. Moments where she is just clinging to her own sanity, while holding back tears of guilt and regret, as she keeps a smile on her face (specifically in scenes with her children), were absolutely powerful.

I was very impressed with Zellweger’s singing! Of course, it’s not Judy Garland, but Zellweger made it her own performance while not upstaging Garland. Expect a number of terrific songs including "Come Rain and Come Shine," "The Trolley Song," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

There are a number of memorable performances in Judy. Jessie Buckley stars as Judy’s assistant, Rosalyn Wilder, a woman who can express so much emotion. She is only trying to do her job, but feels incredible guilt for Garland’s situation. She never gives up on Garland, giving her endless support and most importantly, a friend.

Garland was known for having four unsuccessful marriages. Judy incorporates her final marriage with Mickey Deans performed by Finn Wittrock. Hitting a hope spot after spending time in witty and deep conversation with Deans, the results of this relationship hit Garland on more emotional turmoils.

Get ready for one of the strongest performances by newcomer Darci Shaw. Playing as the teen counterpart of Judy Garland in flashbacks, Shaw was incredible, encasing the raw moments of Garland’s bitter emotion, the trapped rebel, and pleadings that are ignored by the overpowering people in charge of her ever-changing career showing how the nightmares of her addictions all began.

The story was very moving. I especially loved the scene where Garland spends an evening with a gay couple, Stan and Dan (Andy Nyman and Daniel Cerqueira) who idolizes her. Garland made a positive mark on those who didn’t feel a part of the world. This scene is crucial to the film and had a very big impact that I will never forget.

One complaint that I have is that Garland’s oldest daughter, Liza Minelli (Gemma-Leah Devereux), should have been in the film more. Judy gave Garland’s youngest children, Lorna and Joey (Bella Ramsey and Lewin Lloyd) a chance in the limelight, but I think there should have been more scenes involving Minelli instead of forgetting about her.

Judy opened my mind about the life of Judy Garland. It made me appreciate her even more especially after all the cruel hardships she faced in her early teen life. Garland treasured the world with her gifted voice giving us her songs that will last forever.

Go see Judy while it is on the big screen. I felt this big smile on my face and even tears listening to the famous songs, especially ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. It’s quite the experience.