Judy


A lot has been made of the biopic Judy .
Renèe Zellweger's powerhouse performance
The long suspected child abuse by the studio boss Louis B Mayer
The tragically hopefully story of a performer bred solely to perform
I get all that.....
....the finished film is a polished version of a sad story, and a story we all think we know and understand ...
But one lovely scene lingers long in my mind and it is a tribute to Garland's array of gay fans , whose lives were essentially illegal in the late1960s, the time when the movie was set

Finding herself alone one night after her sell out performance at The Talk Of The Town , a lonely  Judy asks two middle aged gay fans out to dinner. Unable to find somewhere to eat the trio end up at the men's flat and after a rather sweet and enjoyable evening Judy sings a melancholy version of her signature song Get Happy, accompanying a tearful fan  ( Andy Nyman) on the piano .
It's a beautiful and telling scene in a rather interesting but ultimately unsatisfying  movie
But it wasn't THAT sad.....

27 comments:

  1. So you're not a friend of Dorothy after all.

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    1. Oh I am! I bet she was a great friend ....just a lousy drunk

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  2. I’d cook for her.

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  3. A few years ago the old Judy Garland variety show ran on some digital channel. She seemed a bit nervous doing it but was otherwise just wonderful.

    I guess she's known mostly for The Wizard of Oz nowadays, but her career was so much more than that. I have the CD of landmark Carnegie Hall performance. And there's she's more than just wonderful, she's just amazing!

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  4. I wasn't sure I wanted to see this--I'm not a Zellwegger fan--but your description of that one scene has me intrigued ....

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    1. It's rather powerful and much more important than the hackneyed ending

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  5. That scene made me cry too especially at the realisation that his partner spent time in prison for being gay In my lifetime... a shameful law.

    Roland

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  6. I like Renee Zellwegger and was hoping that this movie would be a comeback for her. I can’t see millennials going to see this movie as they know nothing about Judy Garland and there are no blow-up or massacre scenes. I like good stories and I was hoping that this movie would be that. I am going this weekend and I do have a feeling that I will cry.

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  7. Oh WoW, Didn't Notice This Particular Flick - Wouldn't Mind A Good Cry

    Cheers

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  8. Anonymous2:50 am

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  9. I recently listened to an interview with her daughter, Lorna Luft, which was fascinating. It seems that MGM had a lot to answer for!

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  10. i saw this with my daughter, we both cried x

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  11. I would rather watch a film called "Punch and Judy" set on the seafront at Rhyl.

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  12. You and I had completely different reactions to the depiction of the gay couple. You liked it, I gather, while I squirmed. But you've been part of a couple while I never have so it's bound to have had more resonance with you. Other than that we concur.

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    1. The gays depicted were somewhat stereotypical but I think they needed to be so that Judy' obvious love and regard for her gay fans could be depicted

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  13. Can you imagine being the neighbour and hearing the piano and Judy's voice through the walls?

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  14. I'm looking forward to this movie! Thanks for your review!

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  15. Barbara Anne2:27 pm

    I seldom go to movies but always enjoy your reviews.

    Hugs!

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  16. Good to know. I still want to see it, but I might not get to it before it leaves theaters. (It takes me forever to finally get myself to a movie theater!)

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  17. Just seeing the photograph makes me feel emotional John x

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  18. The scene was great. The moment is what she wanted more than anything else in the world. I do disagree with you however, I found the film very satisfying.

    Oh, and I see Angeline has found you, too.

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  19. I like to think of myself as a cold hearted b*tch, but I sobbed at the end of this movie, especially the phone box call to her daughter near the end of the film . Such a sad tale, such a beautiful voice.

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    1. I have a friend who interviewed Lorna luft a couple of times
      Most of the movie was false I understand

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