Judy (2019)

Based on the play 'End of the Rainbow' by Peter Quilter, this film tells the story of screen legend Judy Garland, as she travels to the UK for a series of sold-out concerts.

Judy (Renee Zellweger) is separated from her latest husband, Sidney Luft (Rufus Sewell), and the two of them share custody of their two children, Lorna (Bella Ramsey) and Joey (Lewin Lloyd). However, Sidney doesn't believe that Judy is a suitable mother, and is insisting that she give him full custody of the two children.

Judy's life isn't the fairytale she had always hoped it would be. After being treated terribly by studio executive Louis B. Mayer (Richard Cordery) as a young girl - and star of MGM Studios, and in particular, her career-defining performance as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' - she has gone from one failed marriage to another (Luft was her fourth husband), and now goes from one hotel to another, covering her pain and depression with a combination of pills and alcohol.

Judy Garland (Renee Zellweger) with her two youngest children, Lorna Luft (Bella Ramsey) and Joey Luft (Lewin Lloyd).

Desperate for any job that will allow her to provide for her children, she accepts an offer to perform a series of concerts in the UK, where she is still incredibly popular. Hired by producer Bernard Delfont (Michael Gambon), and assisted by a young woman named Rosalyn Wilder (Jessie Buckley), she performs to sold-out audiences every night, but it does mean having to leave her children with Luft back in the States.

Along the way, she meets yet another potential suitor, young Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock), who believes that she can still find success in the US, and encourages her to consider his various business propositions. Judy falls for him wholly - as I mentioned, desperate for anything that will keep her close to her children.

Tom Edge's screenplay - based on Quilter's brilliant play - is also brilliant. The characters are all so incredibly defined - though I suspect a lot of the heavy lifting here was done by Quilter to begin with - and the plot is filled with twists and turns that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat, even audiences who know a lot about the life of Judy Garland. There are plenty of laughs to be had in this film, but also plenty of emotional moments that will have you reaching for the tissues (it certainly wasn't a glamorous life, at least by this point - 1968, to be precise).

Judy (Renee Zellweger) and Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock).

The majority of the soundtrack consists of songs - performed by Judy in the historical sense, but in the case of the film, performed by Zellweger. Zellweger has already proved she has the chops to sing - watch 'Chicago' again if you don't remember - but in this film, proves she also has the chops to sing as Judy sang, and in her distinctive voice as well.

However, there is also original music underscoring the film, or at least particular moments of it. Composer Gabriel Yared does a great job of highlighting particular emotional moments in the film, and drawing the emotion out through beautifully constructed music. His instrumentation and orchestration are well thought out as well, and the music never once feels out of place. It never calls great attention to itself, but it is there (just under the surface, in a sense) and is always perfectly placed.

Judy (Renee Zellweger) on stage in the UK.

Kave Quinn's production design and Jany Temime's costume design both go a long way to setting the tone of the film. Both of these elements have been intricately researched in order to transport the audience back to the London of the 1960s - and even in some flashback sequences, the Hollywood of the 1930s and 1940s.

The performances of the cast are what make this film what it is, however. In particular, Renee Zellweger in the titular role is absolutely superb. I believe she may be in line for an Academy Award for her performance (or at the very least, a nomination). Her portrayal is heartfelt, and the character of Judy completely consumes her. In the various flashback sequences, the role of young Judy is played by Darci Shaw, who also does a brilliant job.

All in all, this is an incredible film. Director Rupert Goold has done a fantastic job of bringing this story to the screen, and capturing the dedication and emotion of this amazing character so beautifully. The film will bring a tear to your eye in parts, sure, but it has its fair share of inspiring moments, too.

9 out of 10.