Judy (2019)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judy is a historical and biographical drama which premiered in 2019.

 

It is about the life and career of the famous American actress, dancer, and singer Judy Garland.

 

Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Director: Rupert Goold

** Writer: Tom Edge

** Based on the stage play End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter

** Consultant: Rosalyn Wilder

** Run time: 118 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland (1922-1969)

** Rufus Sewell as Sidney Luft (1915-2005) – Judy’s third husband

** Finn Wittrock as Mickey Deans (1934-2003) – Judy’s fifth husband

** Michael Gambon as Bernard Delfont (1909-1994) – a theatrical impresario

** Jessie Buckley as Rosalyn Wilder – Judy’s personal assistant during the stay in London in 1968

** Darci Shaw as young Judy (seen during flashbacks set in the 1930s)

 

This drama is about Judy Garland, but it does not cover her whole life from the beginning in 1922 to the end in 1969. Most of the story is set in 1968 when Judy travels to London to give several performances at the famous night club The Talk of the Town.

 

In addition, there are some flashbacks to earlier times, including the 1930s, when she is a teenager.

 

Judy Garland was active in the entertainment business almost her entire life, from 1924 to 1969. She was not even 50 when she died. As a teenager, she played an important role in The Wizard of Oz which premiered in 1939.

 

This drama covers the beginning of her career (The Wizard of Oz) as well as the end of her career (The Talk of the Town).

 

What lies between the beginning and the end is not really covered in this drama, but when we see glimpses of her life as a teenager, we can understand how she could become the person we see in London in 1968.

 

What do reviewers say about this drama?

 

Here are the results of three review aggregators:

 

66 percent = Meta

68 percent = IMDb

82 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

85 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

 

On Amazon there are at the moment more than 23,000 ratings of this product, more than 1,400 with reviews.

 

The average rating is 4.3 stars which corresponds to a rating of 86 percent.

 

As you can see, the ratings are quite good. They range from 66 to 86 percent. I understand the numerous positive reviews. I also understand why the ratings do not go all the way to the top.

 

This drama is interesting and informative. But if you ask me, it is not something we can enjoy. Judy had a hard life. It is hard watching her in London in 1968. It is hard watching a person whose life is falling apart.

 

The story of her life deserves to be told and this drama does a good job. But it is a sad story; very sad.

 

In my opinion, the first two ratings (Meta and IMDb) are too low, while the ratings of Rotten Tomatoes and Amazon are more appropriate. This drama deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).

 

PS # 1. Judy Garland was born in 1922 as Frances Ethel Gumm. When she became an artist, she changed her name to Judy Garland. There are different explanations about how and why she changed her name.

 

PS # 2. Judy Garland was married five times. Here are the names of the five spouses:

 

** David Rose, married 1941, divorced 1944

** Vincente Minelli, married 1945, divorced 1951

** Sidney Luft, married 1952, divorced 1965

** Mark Herron, married 1965, divorced 1969

** Mickey Deans, married 1969

 

PS # 3. Judy Garland had three children. Here are the names:

 

** Liza Minelli, born 1946

** Lorna Luft, born 1952

** Joey Luft, born 1955

 

PS # 4. Bernard Delfont was a Russian-born British theatrical impresario who converted the London Hippodrome into the night club The Talk of the Town where he presented American entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Eartha Kitt, and Judy Garland. The famous night club existed 1958-1982.

 

PS # 5. Rosalyn Wilder was Judy Garland’s personal assistant during the stay in London in 1968. She was contacted by the movie-makers who wanted her advice. At first, she declined, but later she accepted. When she said yes, she was hired as a consultant.

 

PS # 6. The following item is available online:

 

Emily Zemler,

“The true story behind Judy - from the woman who worked with Judy Garland,”

Los Angeles Times,

4 October 2019

 

*****

The famous American actress, dancer, and singer

Judy Garland

(1922-1969)

The picture is from 1944 (age 22)

 

*****