Watch Florence Foster Jenkins

Florence Foster Jenkins is a 2016 biographical comedy-drama film that chronicles the life of an American socialite and amateur opera singer named Florence Foster Jenkins. The movie is directed by Stephen Frears and stars Meryl Streep as Jenkins, Hugh Grant as her husband St. Clair Bayfield, and Simon Helberg as her pianist Cosmé McMoon.

The movie is set in New York City during the 1940s and revolves around the life and times of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy and eccentric woman with a passion for music. Her love for music is evident from the very beginning of the movie when she is seen performing at one of her private concerts. The audience consists of her close friends and members of New York's high society.

The film portrays Jenkins as a woman with a heart of gold who is loved by everyone around her. However, she is also completely tone-deaf and can't sing to save her life. Despite this, she harbors a lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer and performing at Carnegie Hall. Her determination to achieve her dream is aided by her husband Bayfield, who is a failed Shakespearean actor and has devoted his career to supporting Jenkins' dream.

The movie's humor comes from Jenkins' delusion that she is a gifted singer, despite the fact that she has no singing talent whatsoever. Streep's portrayal of Jenkins is both comedic and poignant, as the audience can't help but feel sympathetic towards her character's dreams and aspirations.

Hugh Grant's portrayal of Bayfield is also noteworthy, as he brings depth and gravitas to an otherwise comic role. The movie explores the complex relationship between Jenkins and Bayfield, who is torn between his loyalty towards his wife and his desire to keep her from the harsh realities of the world.

The film's other main character is Jenkins' pianist Cosmé McMoon, played by Simon Helberg, who is best known for his role in The Big Bang Theory. McMoon is initially taken aback by Jenkins' complete lack of musical talent, but over time grows to appreciate her unique spirit and unwavering enthusiasm.

One of the standout moments of the film is when Jenkins finally gets to perform at Carnegie Hall, which has been a lifelong dream of hers. The scene is both triumphant and heartbreaking, as it becomes clear that Jenkins is completely unaware of how terrible her singing is. However, despite the obvious flaws in her performance, the audience gives her a standing ovation, as they are moved by her passion and courage to pursue her dream in the face of adversity.

Overall, Florence Foster Jenkins is a charming and heartwarming film that showcases Streep's incredible acting talent. The movie is an ode to the human spirit and the power of pursuing one's dreams, regardless of the obstacles in one's path. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves music, comedy and human interest stories.

Florence Foster Jenkins is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 71.