Movie #1197 "Florence Foster Jenkins" was a very different kind of film --- billed a dramedy, you might find yourself not laughing but finding it amusing and creative in its storytelling. It is, indeed, a true story with warts and all --- and Meryl Streep (no surprise) and Hugh Grant (surprise!) embrace it passionately and with full force, so much so, that they bring the audience, this audience you are sitting in, along for the ride, and Whee! what a ride. Just like Florence herself, the film has flaws --- it's a big draggy, it has way too much opera music in it for my taste, and to make matters worse, the opera singing is mostly off key (awful for an audio person like me). But she gets her right --- you want to stand up and applaud her for her courage, you want to like her as deluded as she is, you listen to her with hopes that she will hit at least some of the notes okay... you want to cheer her on. And that spills off into what you think about the film. It proves that if people really care (in this case she cares about music with a passion, and later soldiers)passionately, that passion (right or wrong) can move others in the same direction! That's what the movie does here --- it takes you on this passionate ride through her life and her love for her husband (Hugh Grant). Thank goodness, Simon Helberg (from Big Bang Theory) is on that ride, too, because he brings the humor and the talent to convince us that's okay to come along for the ride! I give it 4 out of 5 stars, but not for everybody. If you are looking for something a bit different, try this!
2016 PG -13
Despite her horrid singing voice, NYC heiress Florence Foster Jenkins is certain she can become an opera star. Her partner and manager, St. Clair Bayfield, does all he can to shield Florence from the truth, but his task may prove impossible.
Cast: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg
Florence Foster Jenkins
2016 PG-13 Rated PG-13
Our best guess for you: 3.7 stars
Average of 318 ratings: 3.7 stars
Despite her horrid singing voice, New York City heiress Florence Foster Jenkins is certain she can become an opera star. Her partner and manager, St Clair Bayfield, does all he can to shield Florence from the truth, but his task may prove impossible.
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