Music biopics often have artists with immense talent and tortured personal lives. It is rare to have a subject that feels like the opposite — a lack of talent and yet a wonderful approach to life. This is certainly prevalent with Florence Foster Jenkins.
The film details the latter end of the life of Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep), a New York socialite who decides to realise her dream of becoming a famous opera singer, despite her complete lack of vocal talent.
Directed by Stephen Frears, who has a history of layered character dramas with a pinch of comedy, this film welcomes his directing talents with a slight but overall engaging story about a truly unique talent. The film relishes in the absurdity of her awful singing, making for some good comedy, but really it excels in creating a sense of admiration for the woman's ambition and heart.
Streep is fantastic as usual as Florence, relishing in the ridiculous singing sections and Jenkin's idiosyncrasies while making a sympathetic and loveable character. Hugh Grant also proves excellent support as the flawed yet supportive husband/manager, providing both charisma and emotional depth. Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg is also a fantastically eccentric presence.
Overall, Florence Foster Jenkins isn't as amazing as its subject, but certainly proves a crowd-pleaser.
