BIG SCREEN
Judy
The Chief Penguin stated it succinctly: this is a movie about pain. And it’s exquisitely wrought pain. You know it will not end well, but you remain fixated on those smoky dark eyes and the pouty red lips. Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland is brilliant. She captures all the physical twitchiness of an addict while her expressive face registers the nuances of hurt, disappointment, anger, and even occasionally, joy. Heading to London for a series of performances, Judy hopes to revive her fading career and make some money. Abused by the movie studio as a child, she is an emotionally needy adult who both loves and neglects her children.
In a touching scene, she goes home with a gay couple after her show and ends up cooking scrambled eggs. When things fall apart, her London handler, who has been warned that Judy is impossible, seems both resigned to the difficulties of managing her and yet respectful of her talent. There are songs throughout the film, and you almost hold your breath, wondering when and knowing for certain that “Over the Rainbow” will be sung. If you’re looking for a happy time, this is not it. It’s a slow powerful unraveling of a life.
MYSTERIES
I’m a selective mystery reader. There are a handful of authors whose mysteries I actively seek out. Among this group are Deborah Crombie and more recently, Jane Harper.
A Bitter Feast by Deborah Crombie
Like fellow mystery writer Elizabeth George, Crombie has now written more than fifteen mysteries with the same set of characters. In Crombie’s case, her detectives are Gemma Jones and her husband Duncan Kincaid, who both work for Scotland Yard in London. Originally just partners, they married and are parents to Kit (Duncan’s son by his first wife) and two other children. Both the children and their work colleagues, Melody, from a wealthy background, and Doug, who at times is clueless about the social niceties, figure in the stories. Crombie is good at conveying the messiness of family life as well as the snits and annoyances that complicate work life.
This mystery takes place in the Cotswolds as they are all guests of Melody’s parents. When a celebrity chef visits the local pub to see its rising young chef and then dies in a car accident along with another local woman, questions are raised. Why was Fergus the chef in that car and how exactly did he die? An investigation ensues. Set within the context of the food world, this was a most enjoyable and absorbing book. Knowing the backstory of Gemma, Duncan, Melody, and Doug from previous books, makes it all the better. (~JWFarrington)
The Dry by Jane Harper
Jane Harper is an Australian writer and a recent success in the book world. She’s the author of two crime novels and one standalone novel. I’ve actually read all three works, but in reverse order. I began with the newest, The Lost Man, and then read Force of Nature. It’s about an outdoors team building exercise that goes awry and features federal agent, Aaron Falk. The Dry is Harper’s first novel and it introduces Falk as he returns to his hometown after twenty years and relives painful memories. Simultaneously, he becomes involved in untangling the mystery of the violent deaths of a childhood friend, his wife, and their young son. Filled with loose strands and twists, this is a fascinating and suspenseful book. (~JWFarrington)
Note: Text ©JWFarrington. Header photo of the real Judy Garland, gettyimages.com
