Judy

Judy is a 2019 biographical drama film based on the life of American actress Judy Garland. Directed by Rupert Goold, it is an adaptation of the Olivier- and Tony-nominated West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter. The film stars Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, and Michael Gambon. It was Gambon's final film appearance before his death in 2023. The film follows Garland's career during the last year of her life, when she relocated her stage career to England, coupled with flashbacks of her childhood, most prominently the filming of her part as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, her most famous role. After some initial success in a run of sell-out concerts at the Talk of the Town in London, her efforts eventually stop making progress and even start to worsen as her health deteriorates. Judy premiered at the 46th Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2019, and was released in the United States on 27 September 2019, and in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2019. The film received generally positive reviews, with Zellweger's performance garnering widespread acclaim. For her portrayal of Garland, Zellweger won the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as the Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, BAFTA Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award. Plot In the 1930s, 16-year-old child actress Judy Garland is told by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio head, Louis B. Mayer on the set of The Wizard of Oz, that she has a gift other girls do not. Her talent at singing is nearly unmatched while she is able to surpass the success of Shirley Temple as a Hollywood child star. As Judy's career takes off, a ruthless studio minder forces Judy to take amphetamines against her will; one such instance occurs during her date with Mickey Rooney. Judy is even denied permission for her to sleep due to the demanding schedule. Responding to Judy's criticisms, Mayer explains that she is exhausted by her working hours; even using emotional and physical intimidation to keep her in line.