‘Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah’ Review: The Show Must Go On

As portrayed within the new documentary “Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah,” the nation artist Wynonna Judd experiences, in actual time, a merciless form of struggling. Her mom and longtime singing accomplice, Naomi Judd, died by suicide final yr. In the director Patty Ivins Specht’s movie, Wynonna is left to select up the items.

The movie’s wistful opening frames are hauntingly emotional, displaying the 2 girls in dialog of their early years of performing because the Judds. But Wynonna can also be a famous person with a historical past of her personal, one which Specht’s movie largely omits in favor of a sweeping assertion about perseverance and the significance of a strong help system within the face of tragedy.

The doc, which captures the singer on a tour she was alleged to share with Naomi, appears content material to exist primarily as a lifeline for others who’ve skilled loss. When Wynonna’s sister, the actress Ashley Judd, seems, it’s clear they’re engaged on their relationship, however not why they need to. Earlier, although, when Wynonna flips by means of outdated household photographs at her mom’s dwelling, that motion is heartbreakingly particular. For the viewer, it’s a extra palpable feeling.

The remainder of “Between Hell and Hallelujah” quantities to a performance-focused tour diary with Hallmark-movie vitality. Though Wynonna powers by means of the songs with admirable grit and style, Specht’s method is simply too awkwardly methodical and cloyingly obscure to kindle sufficient unguided feelings. Without these wealthy particulars that make a music just like the Judds’ “Flies on the Butter” come to life, the movie performs like a rustic music with extra refrain than verse.

Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. Watch on Paramount+.