#Florence foster jenkins movie movie#
Handsomely shot, the movie features a golden-tinged aesthetic that perfectly recreates its period piece setting and extravagant costumes while employing a few old-fashioned cinematic techniques here and there (a wipe transition, for instance). Playing up the film's 1940s setting, Frears takes clear inspiration from Golden Age Hollywood storytelling and stylistic choices, evoking a charming screwball comedy quality throughout the runtime. That's not to say that the character isn't flawed (he has a mistress), but the relationship he has with Florence is built on palpable affection, helping the movie to maintain a sweetly endearing quality throughout its "truth is stranger than fiction" narrative. Though his choices are questionable, the man remains fully devoted to Florence's wellbeing, and his perpetuation of her delusion really does come from a place of genuine love. Claire somehow makes his elaborate scheming believable. And Hugh Grant's fiercely loyal portrayal of St. Watching her contort and screech like a giant tone-deaf bird covered in costumed feathers is oddly hilarious, while still evoking the woman's infectious love for each and every ear-piercing aria.Ī love so infectious, in fact, that her husband doesn't seem to have the heart to tell her the truth. Likewise, the actress goes all-in with Florence's singing, providing intentionally terrible vocals that hit just the right bizarrely awful note. Streep clearly relishes the character's more ostentatious flourishes while still sneaking in delicate nuances during more quiet, affecting moments. Elegant yet boldly tacky at the same time, Florence is both larger than life and deeply human, revealing broad and subtle layers throughout the runtime.
Of course, Meryl Streep's colorful performance certainly helps to maintain that admiration as well.
#Florence foster jenkins movie full#
Sure, there are some delightfully funny sequences that display Florence's awful singing in full force, but at the same time we also get to know the woman behind the voice, and her sincere passion for her craft makes it hard not to admire her. On the contrary, the movie remains sympathetic to its subject, presenting her as a fleshed out character who, while full of amusing eccentricities, never comes across as a caricature designed for scorn. But just how well will the sold-out crowd react when they finally hear her sing?ĭeftly balancing ample humor, heart, and pathos, director Stephen Frears somehow finds just the right balance between comedy and drama, allowing us to laugh at Florence's questionable talent without ever letting the film become mean-spirited. With the cruel threat of boos and laughter ever-present, the man scrambles to ensure that Florence's concert goes off without a hitch. But when Florence schedules a performance at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall, St Clair is faced with his most challenging task yet. In an effort to spare his wife's feelings, St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) goes to enormous lengths to keep her musical dreams alive. Unfortunately, there's only one problem: despite her own delusions, Florence is actually a truly horrible vocalist. Oddly endearing and charmingly funny, 'Florence Foster Jenkins' tells the real life tale of a terrible singer and the well-meaning husband who makes sure she always gets a standing ovation… even if most audiences would be more likely to run for the exits.īased on a true story, the film focuses on Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep), a wealthy socialite who fancies herself a talented opera singer. But while many of us have likely offered enthusiastic applause after a pitchy musical performance, how many of us have ever booked someone a concert at Carnegie Hall in order to keep up the ruse? Well, as it turns out, just one. Have you ever lied to a loved one about their talent in order to spare their feelings from the truth? Whether it's a feigned compliment about an overcooked piece of meat, or praise lavished upon a terrible short story, little white lies directed toward friends and family have always been a common social nicety.
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