Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
Rated PG-13
Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson
Directed by Stephen Frears
The Story:
Florence Foster Jenkins (Streep) is a New York City heiress who has devoted her life, passion and considerable funds in support of the opera in the city. Her dream to someday sing at Carnegie Hall is supported by her husband, St. Clair Bayfield (Grant), and he goes to great lengths to provide her with a gracious audience to perform in front of. The problem, Florence can't sing very well, no matter how many lessons she takes. That, however, is not going to deter her from her dream.
A movie like this doesn't get made if it's not based on a true story, so here you have a tale of the worst opera singer in the history of forever, brought to life by an actress considered to be the greatest American actress of all time.
Meh.
It looked great, and captured the time period of New York so very well.
The only reason I even bothered with this one is because it's always nice to catch up on the latest Hugh Grant movie.
As usual, he doesn't disappoint with his performance of a husband who loves his wife, conditionally, because he has a mistress (Ferguson) to provide him with the needs that Florence withholds.
Add a young pianist (Helberg) to the mix, and eventually Florence makes a record, it becomes a smash hit, and Jenkins finds herself playing in front of Carnegie Hall.
However, the reviews that follow are none too kind, and Florence literally dies of a broken heart within days of the performance.
That the recording is Carnegie Hall's most requested performance speaks volumes of people's willingness to be tortured, or the realization to never give up on your dream, no matter the odds.
A touching sentiment, but one wrapped in an overly long biopic that dragged a bit too much for my taste, though I'm sure Streep's fan base will delightedly enjoy this one.
Final Grade: C-
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