I gave up on writing reviews a long time ago. Being a critic didn’t sit well with me, I never really felt qualified. After all, we all have opinions. I know some are more informed than others, but we are all entitled to our opinions.
With that in mind, people have been asking my opinion all morning about the movie I saw last night- JUDY. Although I would much prefer having a give and take, real conversation with each of you after we have all seen the movie, I know that that isn’t possible, so here goes.
I will first say that whatever accolades Renee Zellweger receives for this performance will be well deserved. There were times that I was sure that it was Judy Garland rather than Zellweger on the screen. The tip of her head to a certain angle combined with the mannerisms she engaged, made the likeness uncanny. Most of the time her speaking voice was spot on and although her singing voice could never match the unique and amazing Judy Garland, she holds her own in the musical numbers.
The movie is centered around a short time period a few months before her death, when she goes to London for a much needed singing engagement. Her career in shambles, she sees this as a chance to earn some money and maybe reignite her career. Much happens during this time in London, not all exactly accurate as far as the time line and with some characters thrown in that I am not so sure actually existed (although I wasn’t there so they could have??)
None of that matters. What struck me were the occasional flashbacks that told the story of a young girl who was used and abused by a studio mogul and the beginnings of a lifetime of depression, anorexia and substance abuse. Although they never really show any physical abuse (they imply it strongly one time in particular) the mental abuse was obvious and unrelenting.
Where a character like the JOKER, another movie that is out now and eclipsing the small budget JUDY, shows a side of mental illness and bullying that turns a person to violence against others, JUDY shows where those same themes can make a person hurt themselves instead. (Disclaimer- I have not and will not see JOKER. I am old enough to know what my sensibilities can and can not handle!)
Looking for love and acceptance, trying to be everyone’s ideal and facing the push and pull of wanting, no- needing to perform with the fear of imperfection and failure made Zellweger’s portrayal very real and emotional for me.
Most performers I know feel that desire to be on stage while wanting to hide at the same time. This movie really hit home with the emotions felt when you crave the warmth of the stage lights and yet you just can’t pull yourself out there. Or on the flip side, you want to walk away from the spotlight but just can’t seem to let it go.
For those who have never felt those opposing desires, who have never put yourself in harm’s way to try to please others, who have never felt the exhilaration of being on stage or the terror of facing an audience, I don’t know if you will have the same reactions I did to this film.
I do think it was a film worth seeing. It has music, drama, and a really outstanding performance all while telling a story that while everyone might not be able to relate to it personally, has underlying themes that anyone can connect to- the greed of the studio, the desire to find love, the love of a mother for her children, mental illness, addiction and stardom.
It all adds up to a movie that started out a bit disjointed for me, but ended up telling a story that will break your heart.
