Judy: Unpacking The Story of Judy Garland | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Judy: Unpacking The Story of Judy Garland

One of film history's most tragic figures is also one of its most enduring.

27
Judy: Unpacking The Story of Judy Garland

If you've ever heard anyone talk about Judy Garland, usually it's about her role as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" (the film that would ultimately make her a superstar) and her long and turbulent battle with addiction. Usually, they'll mention how her life was marred by tragedy, lost love, and a career in decline by the end of her life. These are the subjects in which the recent biopic "Judy" discusses.

I believe that a film on Judy Garland's life is long overdue. She is one of the most talented entertainers of all time, a triple threat who captured audience's attention ever since was a little girl by the name of Frances Ethel Gumm. "Judy" takes place in 1969 during her stint at the Talk of the Town nightclub in London, England. While I found the film to be an accurate representation of Garland in the last year of her life, I did (ultimately) have some problems with it as a Judy Garland fan.

**There will be some spoilers ahead so please skip ahead if you plan on seeing the film.**

The film opens in the middle of production for "The Wizard of Oz," presenting to the audience a very young Judy in conversation with Louie B. Mayer, head of MGM at the time. From the get-go, Mayer reminds Judy that she isn't the most beautiful girl but she does, indeed, have a natural talent. We meet up again with Judy at 47, a now established star in the canon of Hollywood's elite. However, she has fallen from grace. We learn that she has no money nor a place to rest her head. She ultimately decides to take a chance at the urging of her manager and perform a six-week residency at Talk of the Town nightclub. Which, as we assume, is a difficult and strenuous experience for Judy, her team, and the audience.

Throughout the length of the film, it seems to be one tragedy after another. They also sprinkled in flashbacks to Judy's time at MGM and the kind of abuse she suffered as a young and impressionable starlet.

The film ends on a high note with Judy giving a final knock-out performance as well as the audience singing a rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the final shot a close-up of Judy, urging the audience to remember who she is. In the epilogue, it states that Judy died at the age of 47 in a London flat, the victim of an accidental barbiturate overdose.

After the seeing the film, I began to process it, taking in everything I had seen in the film. Ultimately, though it was an excellently done film and Rene Zellweger played an excellent Garland, the film felt like it was more of a funeral dirge for Garland rather than a celebration of her life. What most people don't know about Garland was that she was both an optimist and had an acidic sense of humor. Yes, she had a tragic life, but the type of person she was was far from tragic. She had a sort of magic that most people don't have, a unique way of seeing the world. Her daughter, Liza Minnelli, often tells stories of her mother's love and support of her choice of pursuing a career in show business. So, when I saw a film of Garland's life, I was expecting it to touch on the many triumphs of Judy's life rather than focus solely on the tragedy of it.

I did, however, enjoy one of the invented moments for the film. After a show, Judy meets a gay couple who welcome her into their home and cook her dinner. This moment, I believe, was supposed to showcase Judy's popularity and reverence within the gay community. Her tragic life, as well as her treatment as an outcast in Hollywood, had gay men flock to her side. It's also rumored that her death actually was the catalyst for the Stonewall riots in New York.

Despite my feelings about the film, I will say this about it: the film perfectly captured who Judy Garland was; a star who touched people's lives in such an impactful way. She loved her audience, she loved performing, and the audience loved her in return. She was able to make even the sourest and heavy hearts alight with music. Her iconic status is ironclad; there will never ever be another Judy Garland. She serves as the inspiration for so many other artists and songstresses that it's hard to imagine a world without her.

The rainbow may have ended for Judy, but her legend will live on forever.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

133931
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31346
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28723
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments