Judy

Judy ... is happy to let [Renée] Zellweger take centre stage. Thank god, because it's the performance of a lifetime.

Zellweger hasn't quite lost her off-putting propensity for straining for effect by scrunching up her face and squinting into the distance. Nonetheless, it's a remarkable performance.

Just concentrate on Judy's emotional journey, though, and you'll be fine.

It's a film that is just designed around thing specifically: showcasing Renée Zellweger's incredible performance as Judy Garland.

Zellweger looks like Garland, sounds like her and even, at best, sings like her.

It feels more like an Oscar grab than a true disappearance into character.

Zellweger demonstrates her thorough grasp of the qualities that allowed Judy to be not only one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century, but also a very special icon and even guardian angel to millions of gay men worldwide.

Zellweger herself ascends to greatness. This is a performance that should be remembered come Oscar time.

Just go along for the ride.

Quite a lovely portrait.