Judy

Name: Judy
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Music
Released: September 27, 2019
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Andy Nyman, Bella Ramsey, Daniel Cerqueira, Darci Shaw, Diana Alexandra Pocol

2019

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Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings

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Judy

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: September 27, 2019 | PG-13

Starring: Andy Nyman, Bella Ramsey, Daniel Cerqueira, Darci Shaw, Diana Alexandra Pocol, Fenella Woolgar, Finn Wittrock, Gaia Weiss, Gemma-Leah Devereux, Jessie Buckley, John Dagleish, Lewin Lloyd, Lucy Russell, Michael Gambon, Phil Dunster, Philippe Spall, Renée Zellweger, Richard Cordery, Royce Pierreson, Rufus Sewell, Zina Esepciuc

Summary: Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger) arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. As she prepares for the show, battles withWinter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger) arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of love seem undimmed as she embarks on a whirlwind romance with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. [Roadside Attractions]… Expand

Director: Rupert Goold

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Romance, Music, Musical

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Alan Ng

Sep 26, 2019

If there was ever a film that screamed Best Actress Oscar-bait, it’s Judy. But damn, Renée Zellweger is absolutely fantastic in this role, and absolutely deserves Best Actress honors. Yes, I know the year’s not over yet, but the bar is set high. Read full review

Kate Stables

Oct 4, 2019

Zellweger knocks it out of the park, lighting up this punchy and moving late-life biopic with big-hearted, big-voiced panache. Read full review

Josh Larsen

Jan 25, 2020

[Zellweger’s] unrecognizable, in appearance and level of conviction. Even with the gaps I have in her filmography, I feel safe saying this is a career-best performance. Read full review

Peter Travers

Sep 24, 2019

You’ll want to see this for Zellweger’s bravura turn alone. It’s one of the best performances of the year. Read full review

Caroline Siede

Sep 10, 2019

It’s an intriguing idea that results in a painfully by-the-books biopic. That being said, a gusty, heartbreaking turn from Renée Zellweger makes the exercise worth sitting through. Read full review

Brian Truitt

Sep 24, 2019

Without Zellweger’s remarkable Oscar-worthy performance, it’s standard-issue biopic fare – with her, the cultural icon comes to life again, warts and all. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Sep 1, 2019

Zellweger inhabits the role of the jaded, soul-searching musical icon reasonably well within a dreary and unremarkable saga that finds her grappling with her past, contending with pill-popping addictions and a broken family. It’s a familiar story that Judy struggles to freshen up, at least until Zellweger takes the mic. Read full review

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User Reviews

Thatkat09

Sep 27, 2019

A respectful and heartfelt portrait on Judy's last tour. We see her go through terrible things but it never devolves into making her a victim. She was as strong fabulous lady with terrible circumstances who tried to make the most of them, and i'm glad this film went along those lines. ReneeA respectful and heartfelt portrait on Judy's last tour. We see her go through terrible things but it never devolves into making her a victim. She was as strong fabulous lady with terrible circumstances who tried to make the most of them, and i'm glad this film went along those lines. Renee is also fantastic. Her singing doesn't sound like Judy, but its not bad at all.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Panchogul

Apr 19, 2020

Judy (2019)

Sinopsis: Treinta años después de haber protagonizado "El mago de Oz", la actriz y cantante Judy Garland llega a Londres para ofrecer una actuación en un club. Mientras está allí, la estrella de Hollywood recuerda su vida y conoce al que será su quinto esposo. Opinión: QuizásJudy (2019)

Sinopsis:

Treinta años después de haber protagonizado "El mago de Oz", la actriz y cantante Judy Garland llega a Londres para ofrecer una actuación en un club. Mientras está allí, la estrella de Hollywood recuerda su vida y conoce al que será su quinto esposo.

Opinión:

Quizás a algunas personas les pueda parecer relativamente aburrida porque el ritmo general de esta película es muy pasivo en todos los sentidos, pero quien se la echa al hombro y la carga hasta el final es precisamente su protagonista Renée Zellweger que también ganó el Premio de la Academia interpretando a Judy Garland ofreciendo una interpretación pintoresca, refinada y llena de contrastes sumado a un excelente desarrollo de su personaje, es maravillosa.

Valoración:

4.5 ⭐ de 5 ⭐… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

moviemitch96

Sep 28, 2019

While I've never been the biggest Judy Garland fan, nor Renee Zellweger fan, I've always acknowledged just how talented Garland was, especially as a singer, and so I was interested to see just how well Zellweger would be able to not only embody her, but also how well she could sing, and I'mWhile I've never been the biggest Judy Garland fan, nor Renee Zellweger fan, I've always acknowledged just how talented Garland was, especially as a singer, and so I was interested to see just how well Zellweger would be able to not only embody her, but also how well she could sing, and I'm happy to report that she knocks it out of the park in this film! She was nearly unrecognizable to me, and I truly felt as though I was watching Judy Garland come back to life. Furthermore, this film helped me gain a whole new respect for Garland and the immense struggles and pressure she went through in Hollywood and her fame. Overall, despite it predictably following the standard biopic formula a number of times, Zellweger more than makes up for this and carries the film with her amazing performance! She will be nominated at the Oscars for this film, mark my words! And I can almost guarantee the final 5 minutes are bound to choke quite a few people up. I know I can vouch for that.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

MarkHReviews

Oct 16, 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 andIt’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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Sep 27, 2019

Renee Zellweger does an excellent job as Judy Garland but, using her own voice, shows that there was only one Judy Garland! Judy Davis, in 2001, did a 4 hour TV story called "Life With Judy Garland: Me & My Shadow", winning an Emmy, but lip-synced Judy's voice and was more effective.

In "IRenee Zellweger does an excellent job as Judy Garland but, using her own voice, shows that there was only one Judy Garland! Judy Davis, in 2001, did a 4 hour TV story called "Life With Judy Garland: Me & My Shadow", winning an Emmy, but lip-synced Judy's voice and was more effective.

In "I Could Go On Singing", Garland's last movie, the screenplay did a much better job about a world famous singer showing the love for her children then this screenplay by Tom Edge based on a play by Peter Quilter. The flashbacks to Judy's start and her treatment by the studio, especially during "The Wizard of Oz", along with 'appearances' by actors such as Mickey Rooney, doesn't add anything new.

More time spent with Judy's ex husband, Sid Luft (Rufus Sewell) and Jessie Buckley, as Judy's last assistant, Rosalie, would have added more to the story about her last days. Finn Wittrock, as Micky Deans, her last husband, for less than a year and rumored to be gay is given less attention but then another husband Vincent Minnelli, father of Liza and also gay, isn't even mentioned. Darci Shawn, as young Judy, would make perfect casting as a young Liz Taylor.

"Judy" delivers one fine performance and a tearful last 5 minutes but instead of recommending seeing this I would recommend you seeing Judy Garland in "I Could Go On Singing" and Judy Davis in "Life With Judy Garland: Me & My Shadow".… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

foxgrove

Oct 7, 2019

The first thing to be said about 'Judy' is that Renee Zellweger gives a very good performance. Whether or not it is a good characterisation of Judy Garland is another matter altogether. All too often one can see the familiar inflections of Zellweger behind the mask. However, she is still theThe first thing to be said about 'Judy' is that Renee Zellweger gives a very good performance. Whether or not it is a good characterisation of Judy Garland is another matter altogether. All too often one can see the familiar inflections of Zellweger behind the mask. However, she is still the best thing about a film that is wildly uneven in nearly every aspect. Some scenes ignite, whilst others count for little. The backstory and screenplay are just not worthy of the central performance and the film ultimately seems like a series of vignettes of varying quality. A lot has been commented on about Zellweger's lack of a singing voice to be compared with that of Garland. This may well be true but, for me who is not a Garland aficionado, she seemed absolutely fine. Of course this brings me back to my first point and hinges on whether or not you are comparing her to Garland (which ultimately we are being asked to do)or just enjoying a consummate performance of someone who could be playing anyone. So what works: Well, a scene of two devout fans meeting her at the stage door and taking her home for a late night supper is beautifully played, as are most of the staged musical numbers (appreciation of the voice not withstanding). Flashbacks to Garland as a young girl are also pointedly compelling. Costumes are evocative and the make-up is generally very convincing. However, even here at certain angles, the real Zellweger shines through to remind us of the artifice. The last twenty minutes packs an undeniable emotional punch with Zellweger emoting 'Over The Rainbow' to moving effect, despite some rather jarring, not to mention manipulative, direction from Rupert Goold. Overall not bad but, it should, and could have been so much better.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JumpCut_Online

Oct 20, 2019

It is slightly regretful that Zellweger is considered a lock for Best Actress (people were saying this two months before the film was released and at least six months before the ceremony itself) because my hope would be that the performance would come from a better-written and moreIt is slightly regretful that Zellweger is considered a lock for Best Actress (people were saying this two months before the film was released and at least six months before the ceremony itself) because my hope would be that the performance would come from a better-written and more interesting film than this. This is not to fault Zellweger per se – she does a wonderful job in what is a standard biopic role – but there is nothing about this film that is particularly memorable or special (other than the opening and closing scenes – for ALL the wrong reasons). Judy is better directed than it is written, it has a good supporting turn from Wittrock, Gambon and Buckley are unfortunately largely wasted, but this is ultimately The Renee Show. I think I would rather watch the scenery-chewing high camp of Zellweger’s femme fatale in the Netflix show What/If – which at least knows it’s ridiculous – than ever watch this again. A shame.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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