Florence Foster Jenkins

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 12, 2016

7.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 154 Ratings

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DirigiblePulpFeb 27, 2017

Have Money So You Can Follow Your Dreams Even If You Are Bad: The Movie. This whole thing is pretty gross. Yeah Florence seems pretty nice as a person and all but mostly she just seems to buy favor with everyone. The nicest thing she does forHave Money So You Can Follow Your Dreams Even If You Are Bad: The Movie. This whole thing is pretty gross. Yeah Florence seems pretty nice as a person and all but mostly she just seems to buy favor with everyone. The nicest thing she does for her pianist is write him into her will. Is this a joke? I mean it's funny and if you don't stop to think about it it's fine. But really?

You're invited to laugh at her and with her in equal measure, feel bad for her and sometimes even revile her (or is that just me?). I don't think the movie has a stance on her. And I think it mostly lets her off the hook. I found myself agreeing with the New York Post writer as he was leaving Carnegie Hall and Hugh Grant was trying to pay him off - it's crass egoism no matter what cute colors you try to paint it.… Expand

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NoahCowardAug 21, 2016

Florence Foster Jenkins isn't a bad movie but it's not quite as good as the overall Metacritic rating suggests. Critics tend to be a little too generous with certain movies and certain stars.

Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, and Simon HelbergFlorence Foster Jenkins isn't a bad movie but it's not quite as good as the overall Metacritic rating suggests. Critics tend to be a little too generous with certain movies and certain stars.

Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, and Simon Helberg who plays the pianist are all good in their roles, particularly Simon Helberg but the problem is there isn't really enough of a story to maintain interest. It's kind of a one joke movie and efforts to extend that to a more suspenseful story fall flat.

The background color of NYC around 1941 is interesting and well done. But overall for me, the movie doesn't really work. Some may enjoy it but most people in our audience didn't appear to.… Expand

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NedRyerson1Feb 22, 2017

Florence Foster Jenkins is the movie in which Meryl Streep made history with her 20th nomination to the Academy Awards. This is the story of the worst opera singer from all times and ironically was pretty famous for that without knowing it.Florence Foster Jenkins is the movie in which Meryl Streep made history with her 20th nomination to the Academy Awards. This is the story of the worst opera singer from all times and ironically was pretty famous for that without knowing it. The plot is simple, the quest of the protagonist for singing in an important place in front of lots of people; the strength is definitely in the character of Florence, stubborn, closed to criticism and who pretends innocence and immaturity to influence people. Hidden behind the figure of the singer is the dynamic of couple, hard to comprehend, but interesting if you see from the point of view of the husband. The problem is that is just a tale, nothing to reflect. Meryl Streep is great, but her character isn’t very complex, seems that all the film she is telling a joke. Hugh Grant is more captivating and really transmits the struggle he endure. Besides that, everything is flat.… Expand

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GreatMartinAug 12, 2016

The most impressive part/performance of "Florence Foster Jenkins" is by Simon Helberg. Name doesn't ring a bell? Picture in the poster and trailer look familiar but you can't quite put your finger on who he is? How about if I said he playsThe most impressive part/performance of "Florence Foster Jenkins" is by Simon Helberg. Name doesn't ring a bell? Picture in the poster and trailer look familiar but you can't quite put your finger on who he is? How about if I said he plays Howard Holowitz in "The Big Bang Theory"? He really does a tremendous acting job, mainly with his face, in this film including a scene where he is on a crowded elevator trying not to laugh hysterically out loud--priceless--but not the only scene he is so impressive in.

Next impressive, and one of the best roles he has had in a long time, is Hugh Grant as St. Clair Bayfield, Florence's husband but not married to her or ever having sex with her for 25 years. Florence pays for the rent on an apartment he keeps his girlfriend and where he basically lives. He is part of a conspiracy to keep Florence Foster Jenkins protecting her from the laughter of people for her horrible singing voice which she thinks is a voice of beauty. He provides her with stages of private concerts where only friends, people who won't laugh at her or humiliate her as bad as she is. Along with her screeching, grating voice she overdresses in feathers, jewels, wings, tiaras and has no stage presence. When we meet her she has been getting away with this life for so long and believes so much in her own talent she decides to give a concert at Carnegie Hall.

Who to call on for a performance of Florence Foster Jenkins? No one but Merly Streep who we know can sing, never seems to overdress in her public life, has a solid married family life and certainly is admired as an actress. Jenkins life really wasn't an easy one starting with having to end a promising career as a concert pianist until she suffered an arm injury and couldn't play with her left hand anymore. The fact that she got syphilis on her honeymoon night from her first husband and which may have caused the deterioration of her voice is briefly mentioned though there is no bridge from her leaving him to getting together with St. Clair except for a brief sentence. At one point her father disinherited her until his death and them she had the money to fund her own club acquiring her followers with her love for Verdi.

I was sort of uncomfortable with the audience in the movie house laughing at this woman instead of feeling pity for what she and the people around her were putting her through. I cringed as she was allowed to put herself in positions to be laughed at by both audiences. Is it Streep's failure? Director Stephen Frear and/or screenplay writer Nicholas Martin failure? The latter two set us up to laugh at Streep's character and she doesn't do anything to stop it. Simon Helberg makes you feel more for Jenkins than Streep does.

Nina Arianda, a flashy, platinum 'dumb' blonde type, as Agnes Stark, shows more empathy, sympathy and feeling for Florence than anyone else in the film does and Rebecca Ferguson as Grant's other woman accepts him for who he is but doesn't understand his relationship with Florence as neither did I.

It wouldn't surprise me if Streep gets another Oscar nomination as it seems to be part of the result of her starring in any movie but if anyone deserves a nomination for "Florence Foster Jenkins" it is Simon Helberg as Best Supporting Actor. Also it is good to see Hugh Grant back in a movie that shows his multi-talents including dancing a wild Lindy dance!… Expand

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moviemitch96Aug 20, 2016

It had its cute and charming moments and Meryl Streep was a delight to watch as always, however, the film simply couldn't help but feel like nothing more than really forced Oscar bait to me. The story always felt too simple-minded and certainIt had its cute and charming moments and Meryl Streep was a delight to watch as always, however, the film simply couldn't help but feel like nothing more than really forced Oscar bait to me. The story always felt too simple-minded and certain plot points felt as though they were left untied by the film's end, and the ending itself felt rather rushed and like it didn't really resolve much either. Overall, Streep's performance is the only reason to see this film, but if you're looking for more than that with this film, I'd say it's not really worth it.… Expand

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MattBrady99Dec 31, 2016

"Florence Foster Jenkins" hits the high notes with the costumes, the 1940's setting, story, and the warmhearted elements of the film. Especially the performance from Meryl Streep and Simon Helberg who were both excellent in the movie. But"Florence Foster Jenkins" hits the high notes with the costumes, the 1940's setting, story, and the warmhearted elements of the film. Especially the performance from Meryl Streep and Simon Helberg who were both excellent in the movie. But Hugh Grant I thought was the most emotional part of the film. He carries the film and this might be his best performance.

Unfortunately, this is Stephen Frears least accomplished and weakest movie. Bad editing, energy was lacking, and the film making isn't that special. A decent film with three knock out performances.… Expand

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smiyamotDec 14, 2016

I have to ask, why was this movie made? I did not find any reason to tell Florence's story, and the use of her money to live a fairy tale life is an example of the excesses of the 1%.

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BiasSep 14, 2016

One of the great things about marriage is that you get to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to things that you would not normally do. In this case, I would not have normally watched this film. But I did. And I'm thankful for that. Yes, I'mOne of the great things about marriage is that you get to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to things that you would not normally do. In this case, I would not have normally watched this film. But I did. And I'm thankful for that. Yes, I'm being contradictory and no, I don't care.

My wife only gives it four notes out of ten. She more or less seemed to side with the New York Post journalist. She gave it 1 note for Streep, for her wonderful acting, and another for Hugh Mungus and another for "the piano guy". Lastly she gave a generous fourth note to the director, for the effort. I agree with the first three, but the last one, I'm a little stingy with. I get the point, she was a patron of the arts and her heart had glorious music in it although she had no skill in singing. The paradox is only supposed to compliment the meaning of the film, the beauty of music. What I felt was lacking though was her connection to the arts. I didn't just want to hear that she was important and sorta did stuff for the arts. I want to be shown it. It would have endeared the character much more to me. Much more than following the beau. I give it three candy bars, but I will add another because I love the arts and I hope that more people continue to make efforts that bring that joy and spirit to the world.… Expand

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amheretojudgeJun 3, 2018

a sharp and genuine whisper..

Florence Foster Jenkins Unlike any other biography, it is to-the-point fast paced hilarious feature that demands attention of the viewers through its innovative structure of the script and an eerie perspective.a sharp and genuine whisper..

Florence Foster Jenkins

Unlike any other biography, it is to-the-point fast paced hilarious feature that demands attention of the viewers through its innovative structure of the script and an eerie perspective. Despite of being a musical, it fails to create the anticipated magic on screen, although it is rich and visually pleasing on costume design and make-up design. The writer being aware of its ironic and comic tone of the plot doesn't install any funny bits forcibly and instead lets it flow swiftly to the shore. Nicholas Martin; the writer, has done an amazing work on writing such a gripping and light screenplay which could have easily been darker and heavier than it seems. Stephen Frears; the director, as always is no short on execution or editing and conveys its message completely within 110 minutes of runtime. Possessing such a bigger cast, the makers manipulates the audience accordingly and uses their potential wisely where every actor is giving their best like Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and even Simon Helberg; as a supporting cast. Surprisingly, it is a plot driven feature that gives adequate screen time to each and every character and gives them enough room and range for them to factor in. Florence Foster Jenkins is a sharp and genuine whisper that fuels on its subtle yet heart-breaking emotions that is mostly drawn out by its stellar performances.… Expand

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