Unexpectedly funny throughout and based on an incredible true story, FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS introduces us to the title character, played in all her wealth and glory by Meryl Streep.
Immersed in family money but charitable to a fault, Florence is a woman of society who constantly supports the arts and dabbles loudly in her passion, singing.
The only problem is, the woman can't sing a note.
Tone deaf but passionate, Florence tells her husband St Clair Bayfield (played by Hugh Grant in his best performance in years) that she wants to up her game, get more training and put on a concert.
Enter Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) as pianist Cosme McMoon. Shy and gracious and thrilled with the pay, Cosme is startled by Florence's lack of talent but moved by her commitment, but as the gigs get bigger, Cosme grows worried about his reputation.
The story goes in some directions you expect and more than a few you don't, painting a portrait of a complicated yet simple woman whose dreams far outweigh her talent.
Grant is superb as her husband, involved in a very complicated marriage and a long affair on the side with Kathleen (Rebecca Ferguson) who is well aware of Florence. Grant is aging into a very good dramatic actor, free of the tics of his younger years and wearing his years well.
Nina Arianda is a standout as the loud, brash wife of a meat tycoon. She reminds you of Leslie Anne Warren's Norma in "Victor/Victoria", but with more going on beneath the surface.
Director Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena, Dangerous Liaisons) knows how to execute this material with both hands tied behind his back and serves it well by never turning Florence into a cartoon.
It takes a lot of talent to be so bad and Streep continues her legacy of great performances as Florence, turning in one hilariously bad song after another, except for her last number, which is ingeniously staged.
For the worst singer in the world, Florence and Streep hit all the right notes for both laughs and drama and get a B.
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