A dazzling performance in a biopic of one of the most treasured and multifaceted American singers tops new DVD releases for Dec. 24.
"Judy": It's 1968, and Judy Garland (Renee Zellweger), in dire financial straits, has taken on a residency at London's Talk of the Town in hopes of making enough money to rejoin her children in Los Angeles. Along the way, she falls for a pianist, Mickey Deans (Finn Wittrock), who'd become her fifth husband, and she struggles to keep her substance use and mental and physical health in check both onstage and off. Garland died of an accidental barbiturate overdose just a few months later.
Zellweger gives an absolutely mesmerizing performance, completely losing herself in Garland's voice, mannerisms and the tiniest of facial expressions (not to mention the powerhouse singing). And the film, with a serviceable story and fine supporting characters (including the matter-of-fact Jessie Buckley as Garland's handler), largely gets out of her way.
"Zellweger is a force of nature onstage, but she finds the softness and sweetness in the fragile Judy, her wry humor and loving nature," wrote Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. "We witness these moments in the hushed exclamation of 'oh that's good,' over a bite of cake she allows herself, out of politeness to her hosts, and in a shy invitation to dinner to a couple of fans waiting for her after her show, the only folks in London happy for her company. It's a nuanced, complex, nakedly emotional performance that digs into the darkest psychology of one of our most beloved stars, and demands that, even in her lowest moments, we could never count Judy Garland out. The same goes for Renee Zellweger."
The film also relies on flashbacks to show the beginnings of the abuse Garland faced from the studio system (diet pills, chronic overworking, general psychological torture), including from MGM head Louis B. Mayer (Richard Cordery). (Garland also accused Mayer of groping her repeatedly.)
At the showing I attended, Mayer's abuse of young Garland, setting her up for a lifetime of self-harm to a tragic end, prompted one man in the back of the theater to yell "f__ you!" at the screen (to which the audience erupted in applause). Amen.
ALSO NEW ON DVD DEC. 24
"Adopt a Highway": An ex-convict (Ethan Hawke) turns his life around after discovering an abandoned baby in a dumpster.
"The Gallows Act II": This supernatural horror film follows a college student who discovers an evil spirit after transferring to a new school and taking part in an internet challenge. Ema Horvath stars.
"The Kill Team": A U.S. solider in Afghanistan (Nat Wolff) begins to fear his fellow recruits after he sees a sergeant (Alexander Skarsg�rd) directing them to kill civilians.
AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD DEC. 24
"The Addams Family": In this computer-animated take on the beloved offbeat family, Wednesday Addams (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) befriends a questionable local TV personality (Allison Janney) as the family preps for visiting relatives. The all-star cast also includes Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara and Tituss Burgess. Out on DVD and Blu-ray Jan. 21.
"Jexi": A man who is addicted to his phone (Adam Devine) receives an artificial intelligence-driven virtual assistant (voiced by Rose Byrne) that becomes increasingly more aggressive. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray Jan. 14.
"Zombieland: Double Tap": The "Zombieland" gang (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin) leaves the White House and faces more zombies and survivors as they head toward the heartland. Available on DVD and Blu-ray Jan. 21.
