Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Memorable, crazy movie

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

What one could expect from a movie about high society of 1950s? Well, at least I didn't expect too much as it is not about anything close to my life and what I am interested in. Maybe I expected some entertaiing comedy, maybe some funny contadictions, maybe (actually certainly) some good Maryl Streep acting. Not that bad but not much honestly.And right from the start it all moved close to that. Some funny moments? Yes. Good acting? Certainly. Some sympathy for the Meryl's and Hugh's characters? Well, yes. Some questions and little secrets? Yes too.But then... I don't know how that happened but it quicky became so deeply dramatic and thrilling. And Carnegie Hall scene was just mind blowing. How can anyone react to Florence's performance and other events on the screen? Well maybe feel embarassed, maybe laugh. But me and my wife cried. And this contadiction between what was happening and what we felt was beautiful.From that scene on the movie continued as a solid drama with thriller elements. Touching deep inside me, my values, my real life challenges... I would compare its edge to Saving Mr. Banks and maybe even to Birdman.Florence Foster Jenkins have totally beaten my expectations. And I'm so happy with that!

A story of an aspiring opera singer with a screeching voice so horrible she could kill someone, Florence Foster Jenkins is so well done the story becomes film. It takes an expertise to craft a comedic story with love and hope and satire just as much as it takes expertise to sing as badly as Meryl Streep does. The flamboyant character imbues the screen with flamboyance and extravagance as every aspect of the film takes on those traits. However, the film is quite traditional with nothing that inspires greatness. So while it is an interesting and entertaining film, it isn't anything special.Streep turns in a magnificent performance as Jenkins. While the somewhat corny subject matter seems to provide her with a disadvantaged role, the seasoned actress turns it into an amazingly deep role of complex love, high hopes, and undying friendships. Additionally, Simon Helberg as the somewhat homosexual, awkward, and talented piano instructor delivers both a nice comedic relief and a means for the moral development of the characters.The screenplay demonstrates a high level of skill by describing both the levitating highs and tragic lows of the main character, while still encompassing the great character. To make both comedy and serious drama of the plight in the film is a tough task, but achieved well. There is a hint of satire to complement and round out the movie's edges. Yet the ending is delivered with the basic form of a feel-good movie, diminishing much of the effect built up throughout the film. A delightfully sweet comedy, but it just fails to deliver.

Meryl Streep can play any role. This is evident when you see her turn the story of a delusional heiress into a retelling of a tender romance. Florence Foster Jenkins, because she was so wealthy, could afford to pay people to praise her. Instead, she wanted to earn their adulation by singing great operatic arias. There may be reasons why she could not hear her own voice as clearly as others could. No excuses - she loved the music too much to think that her heart would not make up for any technical failings in the execution of song. The wonder is that the story becomes a love story, not an operatic 'Dumb and Dumber.' Hugh Grant's character, Florence's husband, at first seems to be a duplicitous continental gigolo. The viewer soon learns that this judgment is facile. Because this is a true story, it's impossible to say that the plot makes no sense. Of course it makes sense - in real life, some nonsense makes sense. Florence could have been a vain scatterbrained doyenne, blind to the feelings of the people around her. The scriptwriters make sure that you understand, eventually, that she is not that person. Getting to realize takes a gradual unfolding of the plot that makes you want to protect Mrs. Jenkins. Outwardly, she is a matron dressed with good taste and panache. Inwardly, she is a delicate flower. Meryl Streep shows this nicely.

Florence Foster Jenkins starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant has its entertaining moments and a lot of it is very inspiring. Florence's unwavering determination to sing is so admirable and it's entertaining to see her journey into singing and holding concerts. There were moments that had me bent over laughing at her horrendous singing, bless her heart she was trying so hard but she was so flat and out of tune. That's where the comedic aspect of the film comes in. There are some parts of the film where it was a bit dull, but luckily those parts were rare and the majority of the movie is entertaining. Meryl Streep of course is spot on with academy award nominated performance as Florence Foster Jenkins, she's funny, admirable, and deep when you may not expect her to be. Hugh Grant was pretty good too, honestly Streep as Florence overshadows Grant as her husband, but his performance suffices. Both the costume and set design is wonderfully done! I recommend this funny endearing well acted film for anyone who loves this type of film or if you're a Meryl Streep fan. I watched it because I adore Streep and it was pretty good, especially the ending. 7/10.