It seems that 2 large groups of people have rated this well done movie a 10 star and another large group of people have given it a 1 star rating. in my opinion both groups are incorrect. saint judy is a well acted drama about the complications and blind spots in the process of obtaining legal asylum in the usa. i believe people with opposing political views are trying to weaponize the IMBD rating system and may ruin the chance of the movie being seen by people who use those ratings to decide if they want to spend 2hrs. of their lives watching a particular film. i am a fan of ms. monaghan's and have had good luck choosing movies with her in them but the rating was so low that i began to read the user reviews and that lead to a graph with the number of people giving the 10 star rating all way down to 1 star. hmmm very curious voting pattern...? so i decided to watch the movie and i am glad i did. it was shockingly informative and it made me feel for and understand some of the situations of people caught up in the immigration system. it's not a cut and dried issue, in my mind, that everyone is trying to game the system to enter the country. i thank the film makers for giving me an opportunity to see a side of the system that we as citizens do not seem to be getting from news and other media these days.
36 Reviews
An affirmation of justice in an unjust world
bennett-mcclellan21 October 2018
The film presents the story of Judy Wood's pivotal breakthrough in changing the interpretation of political asylum in the USA. Since we know she won, the main interest comes from watching the filmmaker's exploration of her emotional struggles. The results are uplifting. You come out of this film feeling like the "little guy or gal" can still win. It only takes clarity and persistence. The film is well crafted, well-acted, and but dialogue is a bit cringy. It's hard to see how this movie differentiates itself from a TV MOW or biopic.
its the same struggle everywhere
ops-525352 June 2019
Its a tv-movie production on people of different reasons seeking political asylum in the u.s.a.. its also a biographical flick about judy woods, an l.a. based lawyer, and her way into this trade of justice.
its a typical lawywer client judge courtroom film, that at the end ends very well, and its solely made to show that there are hope. technically its ok but no more than that.
its a film that should fit everyone who likes courtsoaps etcetera, nothing extravagant, but a good watch while waiting for your favourite show,thinks the grumpy old man.
its a typical lawywer client judge courtroom film, that at the end ends very well, and its solely made to show that there are hope. technically its ok but no more than that.
its a film that should fit everyone who likes courtsoaps etcetera, nothing extravagant, but a good watch while waiting for your favourite show,thinks the grumpy old man.
Makes you are for all the characters
Gordon-1114 March 2020
Yes it's a good film
stevojaxon26 December 2019
I liked this. It's a bit moralistic and leans heavily to the white knight on a charger is a lady type theme. There are a few good men to be found lurking in the background, who are only good because they have been guilted in to being so. The pretty refugee who has cheesy bits around her lips, is properly doped up by the authorities until wonder woman Saint Judy comes along and saves the day. Saint Judy does this all while having no pay cheques until the very end. How on earth does she rent a house, rent an office and put food on the table? Is this the ultimate charity of strangers movie? I will admit that the story did strike me as one that is only too real and relevant and that there is injustice that is worth fighting against. Nice touch with the ending.
It's okay.
wren-larder25 September 2019
Certainly not worthy of the conspiracy reviewers and low ratings. It's background is a little bland, most of whatever is happening outside the politics and law seems completely unnecessary, but it's a nice little inspiration piece. The only 'agenda' that was pushed was the simple pointing out how the western world has indeed failed many people that needed asylum. It touches on issues that aren't often talked about, and quickly breaks down any xenophobic ideas with a lot of love and love good will. Gives you the warm fuzzies.
Well dramatized
fmwongmd22 January 2020
Rushed with No Effort
haddyrikabi3 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Saint Judy needs a miracle to get a good review. Monaghan plays a plucky activist public defender who switches jobs and moves to Los Angeles for some unknown reason. She has ten years as an outstanding criminal defense attorney in New Mexico and on a whim goes to represent detained immigrants in California. Her boss (Alfred Molina) recruits her for her top notch trial skills and likes her aggressive representation fo clients. Her impressive skills she used against prosecutors resulted in a 36% conviction rate. We don't even know why she wants to switch practices and represent immigrants, but hey, she does it. Because Judy is such a great fighter against the soulless government, Molina assigns her loser cases and instructs her to get clients to surrender and voluntarily return home. This is so she can "make friends" at a migrant detention center.
In other nonsense, we learn Judy wanted to come to LA so her son can be closer to his father, whom we assume she divorced because he was a workhorse who did not spend much time as a dad. Throughout the film, Judy tries to prove her ex-husband that she can raise the child all by herself. She independently raises her son while constantly asking her ex-husband for help and blaming him for souring his personality.
Does the premise so far confuse you? Good, because the contradictions twist further in the main plot. Judy resists her boss's insistence on leaving an Afghani client to voluntarily depart and forget her case. She is horrified to discover she is catatonic from drugs and has a shot at asylum. Without any knowledge of immigration law, she fumbles a few times and makes mistakes while trying to help her client out.
Molina finds out about Judy's amateur lawyering at the detention center and does not like her rebellious work. He starts to ponder his mistake of hiring someone known for fiercely opposing the government. Judy is fired, but she trucks along with her own firm. She then takes on 267 asylum seekers and hires a multilingual unemployed rich boy to help her out.
After a stupid montage of Judy abusing her clients to do free labor for her, Judy releases the Afghani client and applies for asylum. A fight with her family, then we get to the big day: the asylum hearing. Judy obviously sucks at her work and makes several errors during the hearing. The judge and Common the DHS Lawyer ridicule her for being such a newbie. Nonetheless, they congratulate her hard work and after a long, emotional speech, the judge denies asylum.
Judy files an appeal and suddenly gains the support and upmost respect from her boss and her ex-husband. They skip the BIA entirely and go straight to the 9th Circuit (note, I am an immigration lawyer, this movie got too many things wrong to list). On appeal oral argument day, Judy is accompanied by her boss, her ex-husband, her son, and a 100 of her clients' cheers. Judy shows the Circuit Judges who's wrong and the film cuts to an abrupt halt in the middle of her argument. "Judy Wood is a hero, yada yada whatever" text rolls. Post-credits has a montage of pro immigration stuff without even proving the people behind this mess understand immigration law at all.
As you can see, this movie is a walking contradiction and feels like a blind Chinese man trying to find directions through French Sign Language. Save your money and donate to the ACLU so we can get this embarrassment banned by law.
In other nonsense, we learn Judy wanted to come to LA so her son can be closer to his father, whom we assume she divorced because he was a workhorse who did not spend much time as a dad. Throughout the film, Judy tries to prove her ex-husband that she can raise the child all by herself. She independently raises her son while constantly asking her ex-husband for help and blaming him for souring his personality.
Does the premise so far confuse you? Good, because the contradictions twist further in the main plot. Judy resists her boss's insistence on leaving an Afghani client to voluntarily depart and forget her case. She is horrified to discover she is catatonic from drugs and has a shot at asylum. Without any knowledge of immigration law, she fumbles a few times and makes mistakes while trying to help her client out.
Molina finds out about Judy's amateur lawyering at the detention center and does not like her rebellious work. He starts to ponder his mistake of hiring someone known for fiercely opposing the government. Judy is fired, but she trucks along with her own firm. She then takes on 267 asylum seekers and hires a multilingual unemployed rich boy to help her out.
After a stupid montage of Judy abusing her clients to do free labor for her, Judy releases the Afghani client and applies for asylum. A fight with her family, then we get to the big day: the asylum hearing. Judy obviously sucks at her work and makes several errors during the hearing. The judge and Common the DHS Lawyer ridicule her for being such a newbie. Nonetheless, they congratulate her hard work and after a long, emotional speech, the judge denies asylum.
Judy files an appeal and suddenly gains the support and upmost respect from her boss and her ex-husband. They skip the BIA entirely and go straight to the 9th Circuit (note, I am an immigration lawyer, this movie got too many things wrong to list). On appeal oral argument day, Judy is accompanied by her boss, her ex-husband, her son, and a 100 of her clients' cheers. Judy shows the Circuit Judges who's wrong and the film cuts to an abrupt halt in the middle of her argument. "Judy Wood is a hero, yada yada whatever" text rolls. Post-credits has a montage of pro immigration stuff without even proving the people behind this mess understand immigration law at all.
As you can see, this movie is a walking contradiction and feels like a blind Chinese man trying to find directions through French Sign Language. Save your money and donate to the ACLU so we can get this embarrassment banned by law.
She isn't a saint, but she acts like one
Red-12514 November 2018
Saint Judy (2018) was directed by Sean Hanish. It's a narrative film, based on the life of Attorney Judy Wood, played by Michelle Monaghan.
Wood is an immigration attorney who truly believes that the U.S. should welcome, not reject, people seeking asylum. She fights for these people--particularly women--and often saves them from deportation and death.
The problem is that this kind of commitment requires her to neglect other aspects of her life. Personal and financial matters keep pulling her in one direction, while the work she does pulls her the other way.
The plot of the film consists of Attorney Wood moving toward the moment of truth in a deportation hearing in the Federal District Court.
The acting in the movie is excellent, and the message is profound. I think this film is good enough to recommend it to everyone. If you're an attorney or a human rights activist, it's a must see. It will work well on the small screen.
We saw Saint Judy at Rochester's excellent Little Theatre. It was shown as part of the Rochester High Falls Women's Film Festival, where it won the audience award for Best Narrative Film.
Wood is an immigration attorney who truly believes that the U.S. should welcome, not reject, people seeking asylum. She fights for these people--particularly women--and often saves them from deportation and death.
The problem is that this kind of commitment requires her to neglect other aspects of her life. Personal and financial matters keep pulling her in one direction, while the work she does pulls her the other way.
The plot of the film consists of Attorney Wood moving toward the moment of truth in a deportation hearing in the Federal District Court.
The acting in the movie is excellent, and the message is profound. I think this film is good enough to recommend it to everyone. If you're an attorney or a human rights activist, it's a must see. It will work well on the small screen.
We saw Saint Judy at Rochester's excellent Little Theatre. It was shown as part of the Rochester High Falls Women's Film Festival, where it won the audience award for Best Narrative Film.
A Film as Selfless as its Hero
BrendenElliot1 March 2019
Dir. Sean Hanish is just as selfless in his filmmaking as Judith Wood was in her pursuit for equality. Saint Judy follows Wood's (Michelle Monaghan) relentless journey to find asylum for Afghan refugee Asefa (Leem Lubany), after an immoral arrest for her empowerment and education of young women. Hanish is equally determined to give Wood a voice that is heard beyond the judicial system, using any cinematic means necessary to project what Wood preached on to the big screen. He does not shy away from expositional dialogue, which works to his advantage, because giving Wood an entire backstory would have dragged out the plot to the point where audiences would lose interest. Hanish also uses the B Plot brilliantly by giving viewers a break from the complexity of the legal case while still engaging them in the domino effect that Judith's devotion has on her domestic life. Saint Judy ultimately follows the framework for a biopic in a way that emphasizes the thematics of Judith Wood's story over her own personality, which is an act just as altruistic as Wood herself.
A beautiful and inspiring movie!
dianavart3 March 2019
Beautiful and touchy movie! I got Erin Brockovich vibes. Very inspiring, it's a shame that it didn't get more hype. I accidentally noticed it in my AMC Theatre app and decided to give it a try. Haven't seen a trailer either. Defined deserve more attention that it gets. Story is heartbreaking, there are thousands of women around the world who have no voice, who are not allowed to learn, to read, to speak out. It's horrifying.
It's a Must See
ecsd-418398 March 2019
Saint Judy is the story of Judy Wood and how she saved millions of women's lives by changing the interpretation of political asylum in the United States. In the Film, Wood is an immigration attorney who truly believes that the U.S. should welcome people seeking asylum. She fights for these people, particularly women, to save them from deportation and death. Director, Sean Hanish, did an excellent job with the flashbacks which serve to reveal depth and complexity in both the characters and the situation. I believe that the acting in the movie is excellent, and the message the film is promoting is profound. I think this film is good enough to recommend it to everyone. If you're an attorney or a human rights activist, it's a must see.
Perfect film for our times
oaklandis26 February 2019
I saw this at the Mill Valley Film festival and was struck by just how timely this film is. As our president demonizes and blocks legitimate asylum seekers, this story reminds us what that looks like on the ground.
The script and performances are all exceptional, and the story is remarkable. But you can't watch it without constantly reminding yourself that we're all still in the middle of it.
The script and performances are all exceptional, and the story is remarkable. But you can't watch it without constantly reminding yourself that we're all still in the middle of it.
Strong Story, Strong Characters, Strong Vision
aj_long3 March 2019
A powerful true story with a great cast centered around the tenacious Monaghan. Hanish and Portnoy do an incredible job with the flashbacks in the film, which reveal depth of character and the complexity of the situation - both from a legal and familial/social perspective.
This complexity was one of the bigger takeaways for me. It's a theme that is often overlooked in our current political and social climate. Everyone seems to enjoy a polarizing stance that puts them at odds with another group, but the reality is the truth in a lot of situations is much more case-specific based, and residing in a messy gray-zone between two dominating ideologies.
A valuable watch if one is keen to gain perspective on an incredible and topical true story.
This complexity was one of the bigger takeaways for me. It's a theme that is often overlooked in our current political and social climate. Everyone seems to enjoy a polarizing stance that puts them at odds with another group, but the reality is the truth in a lot of situations is much more case-specific based, and residing in a messy gray-zone between two dominating ideologies.
A valuable watch if one is keen to gain perspective on an incredible and topical true story.
Empowering and Inspiring!!!!
nicolevaughn-107855 March 2019
Incredibly eye-opening and informative, Saint Judy broadened my perspective on the modern immigrant's struggles upon arriving to the United States. The true narrative follows Judy Wood (Michelle Monaghan) and her ambitious attempts to help the case of Afghan woman Asefa, in which she applies for asylum after being imprisoned by the Taliban for empowering young girls with knowledge. Judy's unyielding effort to save Asefa then leads into a battle against the United States law of asylum for women. Although I am already familiarized with life for Hispanic immigrants, as my parents initially held that status, this film educated me on the brutal centers in which most immigrants are held, and on the law of asylum for especially Afghan women. Immigration being such a relevant topic today, I gained a new outlook on the modern immigrant and their struggles to reach equality and freedom within this country. I highly recommend you watch Saint Judy, as it encapsulated my attention while also giving me an inside viewpoint to the hardships immigrants, especially female, must endure.
Saint Judy is a straightforward portrayal of humanity and heart
nivekj121 March 2019
Saint Judy isn't your typical courtroom drama, eschewing most of the tropes and trimmings that come with this sort of fare. There's no prosecutor shouting at the top of their lungs, frothing at the mouth about injustice. There are no miraculous discoveries of facts right in the nick of time to save the accused. Indeed, its climatic ruling takes place inside of a trailer. This commitment to honest verisimilitude not sets Saint Judy apart from other films about the law, but serve to highlight its sense of humanity, warmth, and do-gooder tenacity in the face of a harsh, jaded and broken criminal justice system.
Michelle Monaghan plays Judy Wood, an Angeleno immigration attorney who takes it upon herself to represent Asefa Ashwari, an Afghan schoolteacher seeking asylum from her own nation, played by Leem Lubany. These two form the beating heart of the film, treating their scenes with a nuanced balance of Wood's optimism and Ashwari's reticence. Alfred Molina plays attorney Ray Hernandez whose law office employs Wood; Molina also executive produced the film. The rest of the supporting cast (Common, Alfre Woodard, Peter Krause, Ben Schnetzer, Mykelti Williamson) give performances just as direct and unshowy, letting the Kafkaesque nightmare of the scenario speak for itself.
Director Sean Hanish and writer Dmitry Portnoy have the right approach for Saint Judy, keeping focus on its characters facing off a world that seeks to dehumanize its most vulnerable. The filmmakers resist the temptation to sermonize, lionize or demonize; they seek only to humanize, sidestepping the usual mythologization one finds in a Hollywood film of this nature. Time and time again, Wood is placed up against the ropes, struggling to balance her family-work-life situation while earning the trust of her client and supporting herself in Los Angeles. The ending does indulge in a bit of schmaltz, reminiscent of those sentimental Hollywood dramas. But the coda is a delight, and a potent reminder of those still fighting the good fight, especially in these troubled times.
Michelle Monaghan plays Judy Wood, an Angeleno immigration attorney who takes it upon herself to represent Asefa Ashwari, an Afghan schoolteacher seeking asylum from her own nation, played by Leem Lubany. These two form the beating heart of the film, treating their scenes with a nuanced balance of Wood's optimism and Ashwari's reticence. Alfred Molina plays attorney Ray Hernandez whose law office employs Wood; Molina also executive produced the film. The rest of the supporting cast (Common, Alfre Woodard, Peter Krause, Ben Schnetzer, Mykelti Williamson) give performances just as direct and unshowy, letting the Kafkaesque nightmare of the scenario speak for itself.
Director Sean Hanish and writer Dmitry Portnoy have the right approach for Saint Judy, keeping focus on its characters facing off a world that seeks to dehumanize its most vulnerable. The filmmakers resist the temptation to sermonize, lionize or demonize; they seek only to humanize, sidestepping the usual mythologization one finds in a Hollywood film of this nature. Time and time again, Wood is placed up against the ropes, struggling to balance her family-work-life situation while earning the trust of her client and supporting herself in Los Angeles. The ending does indulge in a bit of schmaltz, reminiscent of those sentimental Hollywood dramas. But the coda is a delight, and a potent reminder of those still fighting the good fight, especially in these troubled times.
Great Biopic
maxbryantx5 March 2019
Saint Judy delivers the remarkable story of Ms. Judith L. Woods, an American immigration lawyer whose fight for justice and what's right, while it may seem more poignant in today's political climate, reaches its audience and reminds them what it truly means to be an American. Beyond her accomplishments as a lawyer with a drive to defend those mistreated and looked down upon for their position to seek asylum in America (not to mention the addition of any racial or ethnic prejudices), the film focuses on one of her more remarkable accomplishments to change United States law to include women as a protected class when seeking asylum. One thing that I liked aside from the story is the cast of this film, Michelle Monaghan is Ms. Woods herself and Common makes an appearance in the film opposing her in court; both give an excellent portrayal. Aside from the more well-known members of the cast, even actors and actresses that I didn't recognize do a fantastic job of delivering the emotion demanded by the story and bringing the realism to their characters that I find is often lost in dramatic biopics. A fantastic telling of Ms. Wood's story, led by a talented cast, make this an easy biopic to recommend.
Timely film.
austinstevelucy13 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This film is a timely, emotional, and moving piece. It portrays a lawyer, named Judith Wood, who moves out to Los Angeles to start her new job. Later down the road, she ends up starting her own business. Her dedication and determination to help her clients is very heartwarming in this film. She represents a strong, independent woman who never stops fighting for her clients. Later in the film, she stands up against the United States Court of Appeals to fight for a change in immigration rights. Michelle Monaghan gives a remarkable performance. Saint Judy conveys a message that is very relevant to today's society. I think it is very important to watch because it illustrates an honest story of immigration. Highly suggest giving it a watch!!
Seriously moving and empowering
sarahdrewry5 March 2019
I'm still trying to get over how moved I was by "Saint Judy!" The drama follows Judy Wood, an attorney played by Michelle Monaghan, who takes on the landmark case of Afghani immigrant Asefa (movingly played by Leem Lubany) as she fights to legally stay in the United States in asylum. The film follows how the strong-willed Judy Wood fights for what she believes in, fully inspiring me as I watched the events unfold on the screen. With so many big names in the movie, such as Michelle Monaghan, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina, it's no wonder the performances were as powerful as they are; however, Leem Lubany's acting is what truly struck me. The actress's role in the movie required such a reserved, yet bold, representation and Lubany delivered, especially as she presented her story in the court room causing not even a breath to be heard in the room where I was watching the film. I highly recommend you allow this film to take you on an emotional roller coaster.
Monaghan gives a STRONG performance
rebeccacastellano-4344826 March 2019
I always enjoy films with strong female leads, so Michelle Monaghan's incredible performance as Judith Woods ensured that I'd love this movie. SAINT JUDY is an inspiring story about a single mother and female lawyer in the early 2000's fighting to change the law regarding immigrants who seek asylum within the U.S. Throughout the movie, Monahan conveys Judy's resilient personality, illustrating both her personal struggle to be caring, single mom and her professional fight to be a successful female attorney. The fact that this is based on a true story made it all the more empowering. Overall, topics such as immigration and women's rights are major players, but the whole cast, including Monaghan, did an incredible job of depicting these rights in ways different than what one would typically expect from today's media. For those who appreciate strong females in a film will love SAINT JUDY.
Great film ... inspiring
alexcole-2774530 October 2019
Great acting by all the principals. Yes, quite amazing how she changes hearts of people, but it seems that the real Judy Wood has done the same. From an outside view as a Brit, it's clear this topic is controversial in America. It is a very difficult topic for sure. I enjoyed the film. And it was enlightening. And nice that it was based on a true story and seemed to follow the facts of Wood's life.
Timely reminder that the fight for equality is never over
gabycuevas-571658 March 2019
Saint Judy is a compelling tale of bravery and determination in the face of sheer adversity. Challenging American laws on asylum backed by years and years of precedent, Judith Wood's relentless passion for justice is highlighted in this film as you follow her arduous journey through the American judicial system. Michelle Monaghan's portrayal of Wood conveys a sense of compassion rarely seen on the big screen, exemplifying how Wood's unwavering commitment to her clients and the greater good allowed her to change the legal landscape forever. Director Sean Hanish carefully crafted this biographical drama to not only focus on the story of Judith Wood, but also on the often-neglected realities of the immigrant experience. In a volatile political climate where women and immigrants are still fighting for equal rights and recognition, Saint Judy highlights an important step towards justice and equality for everyone.
A must see!
pascaleandsylvestre5 March 2019
"Saint Judy" is an amazing independent movie that everyone should see. Judy Wood is a modern hero, an immigration lawyer whose life is dedicated to the others. Her crusade and her determination to represent and save the life of that afghan persecuted woman has moved me more than I can explain... The actors did a great job at telling that incredible true story, Michelle Monaghan is a great choice, she is a very credible Judy Wood ..I was blessed to participate at one of "Saint Judy" Q&A and met Judy, Dimitri who wrote the script and brilliant Director, Producer Sean Hanish who gave a life to that inspirational true story.
Truly genuine, empathetic, talented human beings.
I highly recommend this movie, It gave me hope for more humanity in this world... go and see it!!!
Optimism and Compassion are a Strength
jordanthom11 March 2019
Saint Judy does a really beautiful job at showing how defiant it is to fight for others to be treated with simple empathy. We live in an extremely unfair world, and our immigration system is just one facet of that. Where it seems like all hope is lost and there's no use in fighting, there is Judy's vibrant and determined outlook on life, just genuinely wanting to make other people's lives better. She is an infectiously bright presence, and a lot of that is because of Michelle Monaghan. She really captures the uplifting spirit of the film and makes you believe in all the good in the world. This film is both clever and inspiring, and leaves you with the reminder that there is always hope.
Inspirational
madiimcc6 March 2019
Saint Judy brings to light many issues that many continue to fight for today regarding immigration and women's rights, both in the US and internationally. The film tells the story of one of Judith Wood's first cases as an immigration attorney, though little did she know it would become a landmark case not only for her career but in regards to how immigration cases are handled from then on. Her case fought for a woman named Asefa from Afghanistan, who came to America in order to escape persecution from the Taliban after she started a school for girls. The film not only reminds us of how lucky we are in our country, but it gives the sadder, more real side of the immigration laws that prevent many immigrants from staying in the United States all due to lack of finance, preparation, or simple ability to gain a visa, when they come seeking refuge for just being themselves in a country they don't feel welcome in. I sympathize with Asefa and her story and applaud both Asefa and Judith for continuing to fight for what they believe was right. The cast provides incredible performances that made me fall in love with the characters and story and really brought this underdog story to life.
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