Judy (2019)

Judy (2019) is a biographical drama directed by Rupert Goold, based on the later years of Hollywood icon Judy Garland. Adapted from Peter Quilter’s stage play End of the Rainbow, the film offers a poignant portrait of a woman struggling with addiction, financial troubles, and the pressure of fame, while still captivating audiences with her undeniable talent.

Detailed Summary

Judy’s Struggles in Hollywood

The film begins with flashbacks of young Judy Garland (played by Darci Shaw in the flashbacks), under the control of MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer. He reminds her constantly that she isn’t like other girls and must dedicate her life to performing. This early exploitation sets the tone for Judy’s lifelong struggles with insecurity and dependence on medication.

Judy as a Mother

In the 1960s, Judy (now played by Renée Zellweger) is a single mother struggling to care for her children, Lorna and Joey. Unable to secure stable work and deeply in debt, Judy faces eviction from her home. Though she wants to give her children stability, her lifestyle and financial issues make it nearly impossible. She reluctantly sends them to live with their father, Sid Luft (Rufus Sewell).

London Residency

Judy accepts an offer to perform a five-week residency in London at the Talk of the Town nightclub. Although exhausted and emotionally unstable, she desperately needs the money to regain custody of her children. The British audiences adore her when she manages to perform, but her unreliability—often fueled by stage fright, insomnia, and addiction—threatens her career.

Love and Loneliness

During this time, Judy marries her fifth husband, Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock). The marriage begins with passion and hope but quickly unravels under the weight of Judy’s instability and Mickey’s inability to support her struggles. Judy is left feeling abandoned yet again.

Onstage Triumphs and Breakdowns

Judy’s performances in London fluctuate between brilliance and disaster. Sometimes she delivers breathtaking renditions that remind audiences of her greatness. At other times, she is too intoxicated to sing properly, resulting in boos and heckling. These moments highlight the tragic duality of her later career—an artist still capable of magic but unable to maintain consistency.

Movie Ending

The film’s ending is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. After a disastrous show where Judy collapses on stage, she is told she can no longer continue her residency. Near the conclusion, she manages to return for one final performance. The audience, sensing her fragility, encourages her as she begins to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Her voice cracks partway through, and she is overcome with emotion. The audience joins in to help her finish the song. Judy, in tears, thanks them and says: “You won’t forget me, will you? Promise you won’t.” The film ends with text on screen reminding viewers that Judy Garland died only months later, at age 47, from an accidental overdose.

This conclusion encapsulates her legacy—despite her struggles, her music and presence left a permanent mark on the world.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Judy does not have a post-credits scene. The story ends with Judy’s final performance and a text epilogue.

Type of Movie

Judy is a biographical drama with strong elements of musical performance. It blends historical truth with emotional depth, focusing less on spectacle and more on character study.

Cast

• Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland
• Jessie Buckley as Rosalyn Wilder (Judy’s London assistant)
• Finn Wittrock as Mickey Deans
• Rufus Sewell as Sid Luft
• Michael Gambon as Bernard Delfont
• Darci Shaw as young Judy Garland

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Gabriel Yared, while Renée Zellweger herself performed Judy’s iconic songs, including “Over the Rainbow” and “The Trolley Song.” Zellweger’s commitment to singing live added authenticity and earned her critical acclaim.

Filming Locations

The film was primarily shot in London, including the legendary Hackney Empire Theatre, which stood in for Judy’s Talk of the Town performances. Additional filming took place in Shepperton Studios in Surrey. These locations were crucial in recreating the glitzy yet melancholy atmosphere of Judy’s final years.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Renée Zellweger won Best Actress
• Golden Globes: Zellweger won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
• BAFTA Awards: Zellweger won Best Actress in a Leading Role
• The film was nominated for several other awards, particularly praising Zellweger’s transformative performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Renée Zellweger spent over a year training her voice to sing Judy Garland’s songs live.
• Prosthetics were subtly used to help Zellweger resemble Garland without being distracting.
• Zellweger studied Garland’s mannerisms extensively, even working with dialect coaches to capture her unique voice.
• The film avoided showing Judy’s death directly, focusing instead on her final performance as a more respectful tribute.

Inspirations and References

The movie is adapted from Peter Quilter’s play End of the Rainbow, which dramatized Garland’s final years. It also draws from real accounts of Judy’s London residency and her troubled personal life.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely reported alternate endings, though early drafts of the script were said to include more flashbacks to Judy’s Hollywood years. The final version keeps these flashbacks minimal to focus on her last chapter.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While not based directly on a single biography, the film pulls from various biographical sources about Judy Garland’s later life. Compared to some books, the film takes a more emotionally intimate, less documentary-like approach.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Judy arriving in London and struggling with her first rehearsal.
• Her emotional marriage to Mickey Deans, followed quickly by disappointment.
• Judy’s breakdown during a performance when she cannot sing.
• The final rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Iconic Quotes

• Judy: “I just want what everybody wants. I just seem to have a harder time getting it.”
• Judy: “You won’t forget me, will you? Promise you won’t.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The flashback sequences reference MGM’s strict control over young Judy Garland during The Wizard of Oz era.
• Judy’s pill usage in the film mirrors historical accounts of the studio forcing young stars to take “uppers” and “downers.”
• The finale’s audience singalong is symbolic—representing Judy’s fans carrying her legacy even as her own voice failed.

Trivia

• Renée Zellweger wore custom-made dentures to match Garland’s smile.
• The film was shot in under 50 days.
• Zellweger performed all the songs live rather than lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks.

Why Watch?

Watch Judy for its powerhouse central performance. Renée Zellweger doesn’t just play Judy Garland—she inhabits her, capturing the vulnerability, humor, and tragic brilliance of an icon. Beyond being a biography, it’s a moving study of fame, exploitation, and the resilience of art.

Director’s Other Movies

• True Story (2015)
• The Hollow Crown (TV, 2012)
• Richard II (TV film, 2012)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Ray (2004)
• Walk the Line (2005)
• La Vie en Rose (2007)
• Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
• The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021)