Movie Review Madness - Judy

I grew up in a very Judy Garland household. My folks loved her - dad had the albums, they had seen her in concert, etc.  Thus, when my father heard Renee Zellweger was playing Judy Garland in a film called Judy, he was askance. Renee, with squinty eyes, playing Judy....outrage!

Reviews and praise have been high for Judy and Renee, so I had to go see it, admittedly with bias. I'm giving it a B-.  The movie portrays Judy Garland on her last legs - a London show run. She needs money, she wants her kids back (Lorna and Joey Luft), she's living on pills and booze.

She's got a handler in London, a young lady who's job it is to prop Judy up and get her on the stage. Renee does a very good job with Judy Garland mannerisms and tics. Renee can sing decently but lacks that extra tremulous tone. And yes, she has squinty eyes. The film has some flashback scenes showing a young Judy Garland stuck in the Louis B. Mayer studio system. She's considered "fat" and they give her pills to curb appetite, then pills to help her sleep. The poor kid was put in a cycle of destruction. But that voice....that voice brought in the bucks.

Judy is well done enough and kudos to Renee for giving it her all. It's a small "artsy" film. I'm glad I saw it and could discuss it with my Dad. Then I played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in tribute.

Movie Review Madness - Bridget Jones's Baby

Our favorite bumbling Brit is back – Bridget Jones is now 43, a producer, and still endearingly klutzy, watching her weight, drinking too much, and looking for a man. Renee Zellweger brings charm and sincerity to the role in Bridget Jones’s Baby.  We join her at a memorial service for former boss/flame Hugh Grant’s character. Hard to believe he’s gone in a mysterious accident. However, she does run into Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and his wife. She manages to keep a stiff upper lip.

Bridget agrees to go to a weekend concert with a friend and the goal is to “shag”. Of course she immediately falls into a mud pit and is “rescued” by the very good looking Patrick Dempsey. And naturally they run into each other again and yes, there’s a bit of a passionate night. But, then it’s back to work and another meet-up with Mark Darcy. Turns out he’s getting divorced (oh darn) and maybe there is still a spark to light for Bridget. Oh my – two nights, two men, and oops – in three months, Bridget finds out she’s pregnant. Who’s the father?

I won’t give away more. Bridget Jones’s Baby is a comedy but it’s not all hilarity. The concepts of responsibility for the child, the idea of love, and loyalty, and growing up are addressed. There’s excellent chemistry among the leads and you’ll be rooting for all to work things out. This is an amusing chick flick, worthy of matinee price. Cheers!