Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant star in Florence Foster Jenkins, the true story of a woman who — despite what she thinks — simply cannot carry a tune. She certainly tries, though, and the inspiring movie is filled with laughter and comedic moments. As Florence says herself, “Some may say I couldn’t sing, but no one can say I didn’t sing.”
Madame Florence, as she is called, is in her 60s and still enjoying her late father’s money. She’s a bit fluffy: she dresses in heavy floral prints and lace, she is giggly and dreamy, and she is meticulously pampered by her husband, St. Clair, played by Hugh Grant. She also loves music more than anything, and the film begins when she decides to take singing lessons again.
Madame Florence and St. Clair interview a series of pianists, and Florence falls in love with a quirky little man named Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg). Cosme is giddy with relief at scoring such a well-paying job. However, his delight turns to dismay when he arrives at their first lesson — and Madame Florence opens her mouth to sing. Unlike everyone around her, she is blissfully unaware of her terrible singing voice. What has Cosme gotten himself into?
The plot thickens when the audience realizes that Madame Florence is gravely ill (although her condition is a mystery for a long time), that St. Clair may not be entirely faithful to his wife, and that Madame Florence’s greatest dream is to sing in Carnegie Hall.
In some ways, the film is delightful. Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant are flawless with a perfect sense of timing and comedy, and Simon Helberg is hilarious and delightful. The film itself is lush and colorful, a delight to the eyes. (The singing may not be a delight to the senses, however!) And it is very inspiring to see someone achieve their dreams, despite the roadblocks.
My cousin Katie and I, however, left the theater feeling somewhat dissatisfied. We agreed that all of the main characters were flawed in ways that made it hard to root wholeheartedly for any of them, as they were all facilitating and perpetuating a fantasy. “She is like a Disney princess that never grew up,” Katie said, and I agree. However, that said — don’t we all love Disney princesses, deep down? There is something about people who persist in achieving their dreams, come what may.
And Florence, unlike all other Disney princesses, is a real person who followed her heart and achieved the impossible. For that reason alone, her story is worth watching.
Movie times: Click here
Directors: Stephen Frears
Actors: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
