Why This Judy Garland Biopic is So Problematic | JUDY (2019)| Old Hollywood
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- Опубліковано 22 жов 2024
- Judy Garland was undoubtedly a legend and the 2019 movie "Judy" tried to capture that. However, as far as biopics go this movie falls pretty short. This video discussed what the movie got right and what it got wrong. Renee Zellweger won the Oscar for this movie, but does she deserve it? Judy's daughters, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft didn't bother to watch this movie, and I understand why.
Judy Garland performances to watch:
Overture/I Feel A Song Coming On: • Judy Garland - Overtur...
Old Man River: • Judy Garland - "Old Ma...
The Man That Got Away: • Judy Garland - "The Ma...
The Trolley Song: • The Trolley Song - Mee...
Judy Garland & Lena Horne Medley: • Judy Garland & Lena Ho... y
Judy Garland movies to watch:
A Star is Born (1954)
Wizard of Oz
Meet Me In St. Louis
The Pirate
For Me and My Gal
Girl Crazy
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One more thing; you are right to point out that the film never bothers to even hint to Judy's impact as an artist. This is heartbreaking. Film musicals as a rich narrative experience required Judy to show the genre the way. First, with the "You made me love you" Gable kickoff then the eye-opening quality of 'Rainbow' completely undervalued as a pioneering artistic effort to all the glories of Star is Born and ending with the farewell mic drop of "By Myself" in I Could Go on Singing. Anyone think the downplaying of all her majestic unmatched efforts might reek a bit of sexism?
I love Lorna’s reaction about the Judy movie: “It was about as realistic as ‘Cats’”. It was a terrible movie, and I wish they had played a great ACTUAL Judy performance (I.e. “Old Man River”) for the people that don’t realize how great she was.
What bothered me most about the bio=picn "Judy" was that it led us to believe that Judy's last husband Mickey Deans walked out on her after another big argument. Like Judy was left alone again. This is not true. Judy and her husband werte toether when Judy died. He actually found poor Judy dead sitting on the bathroom stool. Did anybody else get this ! ! ! ! !
One thing the movie did was introduce Judy to a younger generation. Anyone that was to become a performer must sit and listen to her Carginie Hall Concert. This is how to do a line show. No special mikes, no lip singing just pure 100% talent. Ho, by the way, that girl could dance, check out her old MGM movies. Maybe it was just too much talent in one little body. At least we have the records and films to remember and see what a great talent she was and still is to many of us. When I saw the movie at a theater in the end many people were having to wipe away tears. Judy can still bring out those emotions no matter what century we are in. Lindsey Nelson, her conductor said she never sang the same song twice, that was the MAGIC of Judy Garland.
The conductor's name was Mort Lindsey, not Lindsey Nelson. (Another conductor, Nelson Riddle, had worked with her on recordings and tours many years prior.)
I agree with your assessment of the "Talk of the Town" narrative. I remember that it was fairly successful, and I said so to my two non-Judy fans who accompanied me to the movie. (They love her, just not mondo fans.) So when the narrative showed a very different engagement, I was a bit embarrassed.
You nail it except for the voice issue. I do think that the singing choice was a good one. If Rene had Judy’s voice it would e weird and distancing. Giving Rene the whole performance made sense. That she can’t sing like Judy is a given and I can move past it. I think Rene portrayal captures Judy’s strength, humor and courage. Too bad she couldn’t capture her talent and charisma but then nobody can do that.
Thank you for your comment! I can see your point about the voice. It's true that no one could have captured Judy's talent and charisma.
I agree. I wouldn't want to hear Judy's real voice coming out of Renee's mouth. I did LOVE Me and My Shadows with Judy Davis and Tammy Blanchard. They were both superb.
I don't really agree with that. The greatest part of Judy's fame was her fame. Rene has a great voice, but Judy had one of the best voices ever. And Rene doesn't. In this case, using Judy's voice would have been better.
Great video, thanks for making it. I agree that with the phenomenal “Me and my Shadows” in existence, this movie always had an uphill battle, though to be fair they had several more hours for background and character development in the miniseries. That said, random inaccuracies drive me crazy, and you point out several more than I ever noticed . All in all I left the theatre thinking Renee *had* given an amazing performance, even if the movie as a whole was a little lacking. As another commenter pointed out, Renee’s singing could never have matched Judy’s, but I always find lip-syncing jarring and weird (see Jessica Lange lip-syncing Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams). I’m so excited to see all your videos here, great analysis!
I’m glad you liked the video!
Not to mention Renee didn't even bare the slightest resemblance to Garland nor even come close matching her vocally even at that time. Even at the end of her life, rested and fed Garland's voice was still a great instrument, deeper than in previous years - but powerful and moving. Just listen to the few bootlegged concerts from then, there were nights she was as good as she ever was up until the end.
I agree!
Completely agree about the "connecting with her fans in their home" scene(s). Great acting and overall message, with a clear reflection of the impact JG had on those who were treated as outsiders and yearned for acceptance.
You are spot on with this review. As an avid Judy fan I found this movie to be less than satisfying. You couldn't be more correct about the singing issue, too. Would've much rather heard Judy's voice in those songs. So glad you discovered Judy. She was magnificent!
Loved this assessment of 'Judy'. I would have loved hearing Judy's voice singing over the final credits, but I doubt her family would agree to allow use of any of Judy's performances for this movie. The complete, unforgivable omission of Lorna Smith--the founder of the Judy-sanctioned Judy Garland Club, and Judy's personal assistant through her run at TOTT is heinous. Roslyn Wilder worked for the venue, not for or with Judy, though they surely interacted for show details, but not likely for any personal reasons. Renee circled around a very specific essence of Judy, but did not express any of her real dynamic as a performer. I view this movie as a steppingstone to viewers previously unaware of or unexposed to Judy Garland's unique and colossal talents and career, and hope it sends them on a journey to experience for themselves how truly special she is.
I believe 'Me and My Shadows' is the best bio of Judy certainly for Tammy Blanchard's and Judy Davis's superb acting, but also due to HEARING Judy's magical voice throughout, giving concrete proof of her vocal prowess and super-human ability to enchant and entertain.
Perhaps a profoundly dramatic time in Judy's life would serve as a better chapter for the subject of a film; from 1958-1961, through her battle with hepatitis, her working her ass off touring the globe in concert, and ending with her ultimate, exuberant triumph at Carnegie Hall. No need for any fictional filler in that one, eh?
Great observations about the inaccurate timeline issues. I think you did a great job in discussing why you didn't like many parts of it. I agree. I recall feeling annoyed at the inaccuracies in the film too.
Thank you!
@@ReelHollywoodland You are welcome. I have been a Garland fan as long as I can remember. When I was in 9th grade back in the 1970s ( you can do the math), I began to watch other Garland movies besides The Wizard of Oz. I began to watch In the Good Old Summertime, Summer Stock, Girl Crazy, The Pirate, and The Harvey Girls. I was then hooked for life. Garland had it all: she could sing, she could dance, and she could act. She had so much talent in so many different facets of the entertainment industry. Plus, despite her troubles, she was funny and could even make fun of her situations and herself.
Hey, awesome video, I'm in a Judy rabbit hole now and I started with this movie. Amazing video. I agree with you. Thank you for this!!
I’m glad you like the video! Enjoy the Judy rainy hole, lol.
Of course Judy marveled at the set for Wizard of Oz! Who wouldn't? It was an incredible work of art and craftsmanship for anyone to see. Your knowledge of Judy's life is impressive, but it was clear that the movie never intended to give an historically accurate portrayal, but it did capture the essence of Judy's life, and I enjoyed it for that reason. The point of the movie was to portray the end of her career, not her whole life. You totally missed the accomplishments of this movie. Rene's performance was stunning and it enhanced my appreciation of Judy's life and work.
I saw the trailer and knew the film was a continuation of the exploitation of the greatest entertainer of all time. Real Judy admirers stayed away from this movie!!!
OMG!!! I'm so in total agreement with you. I was shocked that Renee was nominated and actually won the Oscar. Many, based on comments from the JUDY trailers and scenes on UA-cam, were commenting that Renee had "nailed" it and that to them it was like they were actually seeing Judy Garland! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? I loved the television film you mentioned, truly amazing performances by both actress that play Judy. I also agree with you about the one scene in the Zellweger version where Judy has a moment with her gay fans, that was a fine scene by Rene. Thank you for video comments.
100%
Thank you!
I am incomplete agreement. Thank you for posting. Judy is my goddess and has been since I was 5. I do not think of her as a tragic person. She was an incredible talent. A beautiful woman with so much raw talent and gifts. I wish I could have seen her in person.
Judy Garland and her legacy is worth much more than what the team behind Judy put to screen. It’s odd watching Renee’s iffy singing get huge acclaim and applause from audiences. It seems she didn’t even try to sing like her- not that anyone could come close to it. That said, they could’ve gone down the route of Bohemian Rhapsody and mixed sound-alike vocals with the actual recordings to better suit the performances being given on camera.
I also agree completely about how belittling the film is of her accomplishments. Nothing about Meet Me in St Louis and Vincente Minnelli, nothing about the troubled production of A Star is Born and how she very nearly won an Oscar for it (or about how she couldn’t attend the ceremony because she’d just given birth to Joe), nothing about her show- I think her singing Battle Hymn of the Republic in tribute to JFK would have been a good way to show the audience the height of her power. Giving the audience an idea of how successful and talented she was *beyond* The Wizard of Oz would have made the audience much more aware of the contrast from the peaks of her career to the film’s present instead of the impression it actually gives of a one hit wonder trying to clutch onto her childhood success.
this wasnt supposed to be a documentary.
That’s true. I just wish it had told a more complete and accurate story.
@@ReelHollywoodland the accuracy is presented in the emotional vulnerability of garland. if you wanted a list of facts on her life then you shouldn’t be at a film viewing a cinematic interpretation of her figurative position.
@@francispickleman2274 A cinematic interpretation should be allowed to take small liberties with reality, not make things up out of whole cloth. Just one example: in the film, last husband met Judy at a party and romance sparked. In reality, Mickey and Judy met when he acted as a courier, delivering drugs to her hotel room in 1966. I believe that in many instances, reality was more interesting and telling than fiction, and that the film's "improvements" were anything but.
I'm with you my girl!! 100 percent!! Judy Garland is my idol since I came out of my Mothers womb!! Lol Frances Ethel Gumm thanks you from the heavens..Thank you for this video and your voice! It needs to be heard.❤🙏❤
Excellent review! Very well thought out and put together.
Glad you liked it!
No, I never realized that the bio-pic on Judy Garland called simply "JUDY" was at least half fiction. Is this really true ?
It is so not resembling any FACTS.
I've got to be totally frank here. This movie sucked. Having Renee Zellweger sing Judy Garland's songs just doesn't work. And there are so many inaccuracies.
The only thing this movie got right that the miniseries didn’t was the look of older Judy. They made Renee Zelwegger look more like Judy Garland than Judy Davis IMO. If they would’ve had Renee in Me and My Shadows, it would’ve been perfect. And Renee resembles more to Tammy Blanchards “young Judy”look so they would’ve worked well if they were both in that movie and of course in keeping Judy Garlands real singing voice instead of Renee’s.
Great video!! Thank you so much!!!
🎹 I knew Judy in New York City in the late 1960s. Despite her problems, she was NOT this tragic figure depicted by Renee Zellwegger
In this unsatisfying and lame movie. Me And My Shadows is a much more worthy bio-pic about the world's greatest performer. So there! 😉
Thank you for this assessment!
Thank You!❤️✨
The film is pretty much a work of fiction.
Yes, it is.
@@ReelHollywoodland I agree that the best scene is the fictional one with the fans, it really captures Judy's essence. (Sarah)
I have absolutely zero interest in seeing this film. I've been a Judy fan since I was 3 years old (i'm 36 now) and agree with pretty much everything you say. I have no beef with Renee as an actor, but Judy she is not. This movie was in the works since i think about 2005 with Anne Hathaway in mind for Judy which would have been passable in the looks department at least but from what I understand scheduling commitments always got in the way. I personally think Judy would have absolutely hated this film - she was sick to death of people clinging onto the doom and gloom elements of her life (even though she totally milked it if she knew it would get her what she wanted.. cos the girl was smart) Yeah tragic things happened to her but she wasn't tragic - she was hilariously funny, fiercely intelligent, fun and had more talent than one body should be allowed to contain. She was a rare gem and human beings like that don't come around often. People will still be watching Judy's work in 50 years time and falling in love with her because she is magic. Even at her worst she is magic. I very much doubt the same thing will be said for this film. The thing that pisses me off about it the most is people will see this fictional bullshit as their introduction and take it as fact because it's a 'biopic' and base their opinions of her on it - and she would definitely hate that. Like you said - what about her triumphs? What about her kindness? what about the joy she brought to people? Or her role as a political campaigner fighting for freedom of speech in entertainment and helping raise money for Martin Luther King's march on Washington? As for her family... it shouldn't have to be Lorna's job to have to explain to her grandchildren what's true and what isn't about their great grandmother because 'entertainment' is more important than truth. I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in Meyer's opinion either to be honest. He knew the woman for a couple of months and was yet another person who cashed in on her name by publishing a sleazy book which may as well have been called 'I boned Judy Garland'. Liza was busy with her own life and Judy could spin a helluva yarn when she was in the mood for a pity party. i think his view of their relationship was pretty skewed and should be taken with a pinch of salt because how well can you really understand someone's family dynamic in a couple of months?
Anne Hathaway was attached to a biopic based on the biography "Get Happy", not this horrid thing based on the "Let's trash Judy play" "END OF THE RAINBOW". Anne Hathaway project was cancelled during the fall of Harvey Weinstein.
@@BroadwayGuy oh right ok i thought they were one and the same thanks for clearing that up. from my perspective it was 'this is going to be a thing' and then dustballs for like a decade then 'judy' came out
Thank you so much. I hate this movie and I would remove it from existence if I could. It is an exploitative, self-important piece of trash that contains no respect for the reality of Judy Garland. I would even say that this movie is not even about Judy Garland, it has a completely other goal. I mean Judy is actually not really even in the movie. I don't know who the woman is that Renee is portraying, but it's not Judy Garland. There were shadows galore in Judy's life and they should have been directly visible in a movie, but those shadows were interwoven with astounding surges of light. How did this woman accomplish what she did with so much working against her? She was a great figure and this movie has nothing to do with her.
I agree with you 100%!!!
My opinion of using Judy's voice with Renee's acting doesn't feel right. And Renee herself said that she doesn't want to sound like Judy because nobody can be ever like Judy. So maybe for consistency with acting, Renee sang her parts which was decent but never like the greatness and power of Judy's talent.\
I have to disagree with the voice part because the time period that the movie takes place it's when she was not in great voice
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I did not like the movie or Renee’s performance
I am a Judy Garland fan and, therefore REFUSED to watch this movie. I knew enough to know it would be a desecration of her. I did watch a long trailer for the movie and felt quite sick. Judy was not a tragic person; although tragic things happened to her. The last three years of her life were sad. Well, you can't do the end of a person's life without showing there impactful years, the glories and the triumphs. And Judy definitely had those. And RZ never even remotely suggest the artist who held audiences spellbound in the movies, at the Palladium, the Palace Theatre, and Carnegie Hall. RZ is about as close to Judy Garland as she is to the Man IN The Moon. She's like a first year drama student in a bad Judy Garland wig and pants-suit. The movie thoroughly desecrates Judy as an artist and as a human being.
LiZa said she will never watch this bipic and I am 100% with LiZa and Lorna and Joey so your review is as close as I will ever get to this biopic FIRST class renee doing a 2nd rate JUDY and NEVER was Judy ever 2nd class!!! Glenn MinnelliMan in Australia
liza deserted her mother
@@melisagalvalizi6982 you statement is false
@@glennconroy119 she refused to let her mother in her apartment.
@@melisagalvalizi6982 oh well that changes everything - in what circumstances as Judy was a volatile person as is LiZa - but I can tell you that when I gifted LiZa a handwritten note by her Mon called LETTER TO GOD when Judy asked for help to enjoy her wonderful life - well LiZa wrote me back she loved her Mom and was overwhelmed by my gift plus the person courier from myself in Australia to LiZa in LA a person named Michael Feinstein wrote me back that LiZa was extremely grateful to me for protecting her family’s legacy. That Judy handwritten note was on a public auction site so I bought it as such a personal note from a Mother ONLY belongs to her children and certainly not to the public and even more versing not to me goodbye Melisa. Glenn
@@glennconroy119 THE LAST YEAR OF HER LIFE, LIZA DENIED A HOME TO HER MOTHER. BUT NOW SHE SPEAKS HIGHLY OF HER AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH SHE TRIES, SHE WILL NE VER BE AS GOOD AS HER MOTHER.
Have you ever watched RuPaul’s Drag Race? During the fifth season’s makeover challenge, a gay veteran named Dave told RuPaul and Jinkx Monsoon about how he thought that he was the one that killed her. He recently did an interview where he went into more details.
m.ua-cam.com/video/zSJhFqRxMtA/v-deo.html
My opinion of using Judy's voice with Renee's acting doesn't feel right. And Renee herself said that she doesn't want to sound like Judy because nobody can be ever like Judy. So maybe for consistency with acting, Renee sang her parts which was decent but never like the greatness and power of Judy's talent.\