The traditional biopic is slowly becoming a relic of the cinematic past. By and large, films made about real life public figures tend to try and find a new angle in depicting someone’s life. That way, it can never feel recycled or stale. However, some movies are still taking the tried and true path. Occasionally, it still works, but most of the time, it ends up feeling a bit empty. Such is the case with Saint Judy, a well intentioned and undeniably timely biopic that never fully realizes its potential. The story being told is important, for sure. Unfortunately, its depiction leaves something to be desired. The film is a look at attorney Judy Wood (Michelle Monaghan), who would single-handedly changed the asylum laws in the United States, all in an effort to help save women’s lives. A public defender, Judy accepts a job out west in California...
- 2/28/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
“I’m not that noble,” claims Judy Wood (Michelle Monaghan) toward the conclusion of “Saint Judy,” but by that point, Sean Hanish’s tale has long since dissuaded everyone — both in the film, and watching it — of that notion. More problematic than Wood’s holy virtue, however, is the one-note preachiness of this based-on-real-events drama, which details the lawyer’s fight to secure a Muslim woman’s asylum, which in turn changed U.S. policy. It’s a case of good intentions and subpar storytelling, the latter of which will likely hamper its limited theatrical fortunes.
With immigration and women’s rights at the forefront of today’s news, “Saint Judy” arrives at an auspicious time, and to be sure, Wood’s achievement deserves to be celebrated. The issue is that Hanish’s film never misses an opportunity to make its saga as corny as possible, beginning with an introduction...
With immigration and women’s rights at the forefront of today’s news, “Saint Judy” arrives at an auspicious time, and to be sure, Wood’s achievement deserves to be celebrated. The issue is that Hanish’s film never misses an opportunity to make its saga as corny as possible, beginning with an introduction...
- 2/28/2019
- by Nick Schager
- Variety Film + TV
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