Overall, I like Renée but thought the screenplay was lackluster. There’s very little new ground to tread. It’s like beating a dead horse. I understand why Liza and Lorna distance themselves from it. The question I have was Judy really always such a mess? She’s portrayed as pathetic in so much. It’s really exhausting.
I did appreciate the handler character who communicated compassion and empathy rather than eye rolling or irritation. It seems people were drawn into her fragility to either care for her or exploit her.
SPOILER!!!!! Was the piece about the gay couple true? I found that bit incredibly pandering if it’s constructed. If it’s not true I find it incredibly manipulative and odd personally. Was it thrown in to pander to gay men? It seemed out of place. The fans she latched onto due to loneliness didn’t need to be two old queens.
I like Renée and was glad she didn’t try to mimic but I think her makeup and prosthetics did the heavy lifting. She doesn’t sound like Judy and at times she didn’t remind me of Judy. Actually some of her mannerisms and delivery reminded me more of Charles Busch.
However I did like the film and I think Renée deserves acclaim but I’m not as over the moon as others.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello