Review of Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) by Mike F — 04 Sep 2017

One must be in a whimsical frame of mind for full enjoyment of this one. FFJ lives a fantasy. Hugh Grant as her husband St. Claire Bayfield is the ringmaster enlisting tons of assistance from scores of others that fall in love with her. Some people command respect, others command obedience. It is a rare bird that command affection. This is FFJ's major gift, so dotty, so endearing and daffy - and so generous with her fortune - legions of otherwise savvy New Yorkers of every social class fall under her spell.

Streep of course has the same gift as Florence. To make you fall in love with her - this time I thought I could clearly see what a hoot this was for her.

Mainly this is a love story. St. Claire is devoted to her. (A dandy turn as an ex-actor consummate British gentleman) She in turn tolerates his girlfriend and even pays for the couples' apartment. There is an 'understanding' in the manner of the "so wealthy convention is beneath us" crowd. I haven't even mentioned her singing and performing that is there of course, but isn't at all what you remember when the credits role. What you remember is her charming self-delusion, her husband's absolute adoration for her and the unreal but totally believable fairy tale life he has created through bribery and cajoling and sometimes pleading with those - and this is pretty much everyone - that can see how bloody awful is her singing.