Review of Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) by Foxgrove — 11 Aug 2016

The commercial response to art house and Cesar winning French hit Marguerite adds nothing to an already one note joke scenario. Both films have tried to make this true story interesting, but whilst the potential is there it just resolutely refuses to take flight on film.

This version although positioned more prominently as a comedy is definitely not the laugh fest hoped for. The problem is that as soon as the singer who can’t sing a note is revealed the film just doesn’t have anywhere further to go as a comedy.

Meryl Streep works valiantly in the role and is definitely the film’s saving grace giving a broad performance that is, by turn, both sad and (occasionally) funny. Simon Helberg is also a very enjoyable as the pianist accompanying Florence who worries about his reputation even as he pockets the generous wage from his less than talented pupil.

Like its French counterpart, production values are high with gorgeous Art- Direction and costumes on display.