Who doesn’t remember the historic 1939 “Wizard of Oz” that made Judy Garland who played Dorthy a household name? Some did and did not know of her substance abuse that started at a young age when she was filming “Oz”. I wasn’t around then so I never payed any mind to her personal life. Many years after her passing at a ripe age of just 47 in 1969 in London, Hollywood has made a gem of a biopic about the life and times of her starring Renee Zellweger.
Born June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, MN as Frances Ethel Gumm, she started singing at age 14 in college then later on after a go with other studios, was signed on by MGM which gave us the yellow brick road and one of the most memorable films of all time. It went from half black and white to color. Quite of an achievement eighty in the past.
In Roadside Attractions “Judy” directed by Rupert Goold and written by Tom Edge, we see the dark side of Judy as her career bungee dives. The special effects that showed young and adult Judy was good technology and it worked. Zellweger gives us potential Oscar winning show and she gave it her all and considering all songs (with her fake nose) were from her own voice, makes this a must see movie especially if one grew up in that era. The ending of the film with her singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” in London was was powerfully touching as it was only six months later she died. The film even includes many gay fans of hers singing along with her encouraging her to keep pushing on. Judy opens in wide release September 27. Will the big Yetti compete with her? Maybe! Judy will prevail though. Jessie Buckley as Rosalyn, Finn Wittrock and Rufus Sewell as Sidney co-star and are great support for the film. It’s a master piece for Renee. 4 stars (out of 5).
Who doesn’t remember
