"Judy"

It does seem at the moment that the latest trend to hit Hollywood is the Music star biopic. We have already had films about Freddie Mercury and Elton John, there is also one on the way featuring David Bowie.
But to make a film about Judy Garland....now that is Brave.
She is a TRUE icon, a legendary music and screen figure, her songs and performances are beloved across the globe, and it takes a phenomenal actress to want to step into those shoes.

The film is similar in style to a big hit from the end of last year, which also looked at two true comedy icons, namely "Stan & Ollie", cutting from a time when the star is at the very height of their fame, and then to when they make a visit to London towards the end of their career.

Judy has been busy touring the States, making what money she can, and by her side are two of her younger children, sometimes even joining her on stage. But as the job offers and money starts to dry up, the only way that she can continue to see her children, is to leave them with her ex-husband and go to England to do a variety of shows.
Is she up to it?  Can she still perform to please a London crowd?

I know that when "Bohemian Rhapsody" came out, many critics said that they loved Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, but thought that the film was average. I would say that the film is better than average, but did not quite wow me as much as "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Stan & Ollie", but it is still a really enjoyable film. There is one moment right towards the end of the film, that for me was a little too over sentimental. Now if it actually occured then so be it, but if it is fictionalised then it was a step too far. I would like to know one way or the other.

The supporting cast are all decent enough. But at the end of the day, the film belongs to one person and of course that is Renee Zellweger. In a similar way that John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan did with Stan & Ollie, Renee really does bring Judy Garland to life.

The film trailer proclaims that 'Renee Zellweger is Judy Garland' - well it's as close as we're ever going to get.....8 out of 10