Judy (2019) ***

If you're a heterosexual male like myself, you probably haven't spent much time thinking about Judy Garland. I knew that she starred in “The Wizard of Oz” and later gave birth to Liza Minnelli, and that she had problems with drugs. She was a big deal, once upon a time, though. She was also a Hollywood cautionary tale. As a child actress, she was started on drugs to sleep and drugs to stay thin, and the chemical habit stuck with her, ultimately leading to an early death at age 47.

The film “Judy” focuses on the last few years of Garland's life, with a few flashbacks to lend context. The film picks up with Garland struggling to revive her waning career and make enough money to live. She winds up taking an offer to do a prolonged singing engagement in London, where she is still loved, especially by the gay community. She also meets and marries her fifth and final husband, Mickey Deans, who tries to save her from herself. Unfortunately, Garland's self-destructive tendencies win out in the end.

Renee Zellweger plays Garland beautifully. If you pull up youtube videos of Garland's performances and interviews, even the drunk interviews, when her health was failing, her spirit really shines through. Even when she was a complete mess, she was classy, funny, and charming, and “Judy” captures that. Renee Zellweger has always looked a little like she is smiling through pain, so she was perfect casting for this role, even though she doesn't strictly look a lot like Judy Garland.

Rather than taking on Garlands's entire life and career, “Judy” focuses in on her final year. This focus lends it a much greater intimacy than a big biopic could have, and the film is poignant and absorbing. The film's strength, however, is also its weakness. Representing such a small piece of the life of an entertainer from before my time, “Judy” ends up being, for me, rather forgettable. Zellweger is rightfully nominated for an Oscar for the role, but by the time the Oscars roll around, I wonder how many people will be wondering why she is there.

3 stars out of 5