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Judy (film)

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Judy (film)
NameJudy
DirectorRupert Goold
ProducerDavid Livingstone
Based onEnd of the Rainbow, Peter Quilter
StarringRenée Zellweger Jessie Buckley Rufus Sewell Michael Gambon Finn Wittrock
MusicGabriel Yared
CinematographyOle Bratt Birkeland
EditingMelanie Oliver
StudioBBC Films Pathé Calamity Films
DistributorLD Entertainment (United States) 20th Century Fox (International)
Runtime118 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Judy (film). *Judy* is a 2018 British biographical drama film directed by Rupert Goold and starring Renée Zellweger as iconic performer Judy Garland. The film focuses on Garland's series of sold-out concerts at The Talk of the Town in London during the winter of 1968, intercut with flashbacks to her youth under contract to MGM studios. Based on the stage play *End of the Rainbow* by Peter Quilter, the film explores Garland's struggles with addiction, fame, and her complex relationships as she fights to reclaim her career and provide for her children.

Plot

In 1968, financially struggling and largely unable to secure work in Hollywood, Judy Garland arrives in London for a five-week run of concerts at The Talk of the Town, orchestrated by impresario Bernard Delfont. The film juxtaposes these fraught performances, where Garland battles severe anxiety, vocal issues, and insomnia, with flashbacks to her adolescence in the 1930s under the rigid control of MGM and figures like studio head Louis B. Mayer. These sequences depict the origins of her lifelong addiction to prescription drugs, enforced by the studio to regulate her weight and schedule. In the present narrative, she begins a whirlwind romance with her fifth husband, musician Mickey Deans, while her dedicated handler Rosalyn Wilder attempts to keep the shows on track. The film culminates in her final, poignant performance, highlighting her enduring connection with her audience despite her personal turmoil.

Cast

* Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland * Jessie Buckley as Rosalyn Wilder * Finn Wittrock as Mickey Deans * Rufus Sewell as Sidney Luft, Garland's third husband * Michael Gambon as Bernard Delfont * Bella Ramsey as Lorna Luft * Royce Pierreson as Burt Rhodes * John Dagleish as Lonnie Donegan * Phil Dunster as Stan * Andy Nyman as Dan * Darci Shaw portrays a young Judy Garland in the flashback sequences.

Production

Development for the film began with the acquisition of the rights to Peter Quilter's stage play *End of the Rainbow*. Director Rupert Goold and screenwriter Tom Edge adapted the material, shifting focus to Garland's later years in London. Principal photography commenced in March 2018, with key locations including the famous London Palladium and West End areas standing in for the period settings. Renée Zellweger performed her own singing for the role, meticulously studying Garland's vocal mannerisms and performance style. The production was a collaboration between BBC Films, Pathé, and Calamity Films, with Gabriel Yared composing the score and Ole Bratt Birkeland serving as cinematographer.

Release

*Judy* had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2019. It was subsequently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Deauville American Film Festival. The film was released in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2019, by 20th Century Fox, and in the United States on September 27, 2019, by LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions. Its release strategy capitalized on the upcoming awards season, with a particular focus on Renée Zellweger's critically hailed performance.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with overwhelming praise directed at Renée Zellweger's transformative lead performance. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a certified fresh rating, with consensus noting the film's conventional biopic structure was elevated by Zellweger's work. Some criticism was aimed at the film for not delving deeper into Garland's artistry and for relying on familiar tropes of the genre. Commercially, it was a success, grossing over $42 million against a $15 million budget, performing strongly in both the United Kingdom and North America.

Accolades

*Judy* and Renée Zellweger received widespread recognition during the 2019–2020 awards season. Zellweger won the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. The film's makeup and hairstyling team, led by Jeremy Woodhead, were also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Additionally, the film earned nominations at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for its musical elements.

Category:2010s biographical drama films Category:Films about Judy Garland Category:Films set in London Category:British biographical films