Florence Foster Jenkins

I'm usually not too big on the recent biopics that have been released in the past years since I feel they are more focused on sports than other topics and needlessly complicated. However, I took a look at the trailer to Florence Foster Jenkins and noticed the cast involved, more specifically Meryl Streep. I have enjoyed Meryl Streep in some of her movies like Julie/Julia, The Devil Wears Prada, and voice work in Fantastic Mr Fox. I decided that since today is the anniversary of 9/11, I would watch a more positive movie instead of Sully and went for Florence Foster Jenkins, considering that it might go unnoticed by most individuals consumed by modern trends in the cinema. And coming out of the theater, it made me feel both good and excited to see this movie. In addition to that, I'm pretty sure I was the youngest person in the auditorium watching this movie.

Plot: Instead of covering the whole life, Florence Foster Jenkins follows the true story of her endeavors in 1944 to sing opera in order to give back to the music community that she has adored for years, now more than ever considering the effects of the World War II. The problem: she can't sing very well and is unaware of it. This movie went more comedic and less dramatic with its approach to her time performing with her pianist and the efforts of her husband to support her. In term of the comedy-drama ratio, it's about 60-40. It managed to work some nice emotions and cheerfulness throughout the true story of the events. It's simple and it knows how to have fun with the characters and time period of the 1940s. The plot has an overall feel good presence that's brought out with the casting of the main characters.

Characters: The main actors of this movie are Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins, Hugh Grant as St. Clair Bayfield (her husband), and Simon Helberg as Cosme McMoon (her pianist). Meryl Streep did a wonderful cheerfully positive performance as the title character of the biopic. She nailed every emotion and terrible note on point, which is funny due to the fact that the actress can sing pretty well. One casting move that surprised me is Simon Helberg, from the Big Bang Theory as Howard Wolfowitz, as McMoon. He pretty much stole every scene he was in and did even better than his most recent work of the last few seasons of the Big Bang Theory (though I blame the writers for that fault). He contributed very well to supporting his musician skills to the movie and it shows since the music performed by him was authentic (without any Hollywood music effects substituted in)! Hugh Grant as the husband is a very interesting character and he did a great job as well. I won't say what makes him interesting since it would risk spoiling the movie. I would also like to mention one blond character who almost steals a couple of scenes she was in as well. She did a good job embracing the party spirit of the 1940s and is an honest but supporting critic. Overall the cast of characters make this worth watching, especially Meryl Streep!

Overall Consensus: Florence Foster Jenkins tells a true story with great cast of characters while balancing the comedy and drama of the situation at hand. ⭑⭑⭑⭑

Possible reasons to go watch it: If you are a fan of Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, or Simon Helberg. If you enjoy watching biopics about people pursuing and/or appreciate the musical arts. If you enjoy watching movies that take place in the 1940s. If you are in the mood for a feel good movie.

Possible reasons to avoid it: If you aren't a fan of Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, or Simon Helberg. If you aren't interested in biopics. If you aren't interested in movies that involve the musical arts.