For Judy Garland fans like me, you have to take this movie as a work of fiction to enjoy it. Judy never cussed out her audience (this change confuses me as it makes the character seem unlikable while also being completely false), Mickey and Judy's relationship was nothing like what was seen on screen, she never took her kids to any conventions but rather they performed with her on the best venues out there and these are only a few of the scenes that where completely made up for this movie. However if you take this as a film and not an accurate account of Judy Garland's life, it is quite good.
Renee Zellweger is incredible in the title role. When people say she is Oscar worthy for this performance I can't argue at all. She brings a powerful sense of both being larger than life as well as being full of human frailty. Judy as presented here is both a complete legend but also fully a human being. Since much of the story is rather depressing, Judy's humorous wit is very much appreciated. Many of her comments made me and other members of the audience laugh out loud adding some much needed levity to the sadder moments. Her performances of the classic songs are great, as long as you don't compare them to the real Judy Garland. The real Judy was a one of kind performer with a one of a kind voice and stage presence. Renee isn't able to capture this completely and there is never a moment during these song numbers when a Judy Garland fan will ever forget they are watching Renee and not Judy on screen. However taken on their own terms with no comparisons to Judy, these song numbers are excellent. Renee has an incredible singing voice and great charisma while performing these songs and these scenes extremely entertaining. Again Judy Garland fans just have to accept that it is a different voice and charisma than that of the real Judy Garland. Darci Shaw also turns in an incredible performance of Judy as a kid in a few flashbacks. With her playing the kid version of a character we mostly see as an adult will make her not receive the praise she deserves but she turns in a truly incredible and human performance.
I am split on the flashback scenes to be honest. This is not because of the scenes themselves which are excellent, but rather because they often feel forced into the film with no real transition. This is sad because they are fantastic scenes and honest highlights of the film, but they also simply don't seem to fit in the movie we are watching. A scene involving two fans that Judy befriends on the other hand could have been left on the cutting room floor. It feels embarrassingly awkward and forced. The dialogue is corny as all get out and for a movie that is supposed to be based off a real life story feels completely false. A later reappearance of the two men is even more corny and forced, if such a thing is possible.
Despite its faults this is a very moving and entertaining movie. However if you want to learn more about Judy Garland as a person, read a biography and know that this film is pure fiction.
-Michael J. Ruhland
No comments:
Post a Comment