Zellweger's performance often feels magical, capturing both physical details and personality quirks to convey Garland's sharp sense of humour and brittle self-awareness. She may be fragile, but she's never a victim. And perhaps the film works a little too hard to highlight her hopefulness, leading to a climactic, and breathtaking, rendition of Over the Rainbow. Shaw is remarkable as the strong-willed teen Judy. And the excellent Buckley and Wittrock add intriguing textures to their side characters.

This isn't a particularly daring film, as it approaches its subject without pushing the boundaries. But it's beautifully made, with a lovely sense of musicality as it follows the complex, contradictory Garland through some carefully scripted highs and lows. And the cast is strong enough to make the most of the spicy dialog, bringing strong angles to the rather difficult relationships. But of course the only moments in which the film is genuinely moving is when Zellweger is singing one of those devastating songs.

themes, language

5.Sep.19

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