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Florence Foster Jenkins

(29 Posts)
Jane10 Mon 06-Aug-18 09:07:38

Saw this film on TV last night for the second time and just loved it! Meryl Street is so good (as usual) and Hugh Grant was unexpectedly excellent. A real feel good film but with such sad undercurrents and all based on a true story. Lovely!

Anniebach Mon 06-Aug-18 09:13:42

It brought me to tears , Hugh Grant proved he can act and Meryl Streep was as always, brilliant

petra Mon 06-Aug-18 09:49:29

So sad, made me cry.

merlotgran Mon 06-Aug-18 10:04:34

We were in tears of laughter but the sadness was touching. Such wonderful acting

Jane10 Mon 06-Aug-18 10:11:30

And the singing! So 'authentic'!

varian Mon 06-Aug-18 10:34:17

She sang like Les Dawson played the piano and that takes a lot of musical ability.

Pittcity Mon 06-Aug-18 11:01:56

A happy/sad film....and true too!

BlueBelle Mon 06-Aug-18 11:14:15

I saw the film when it came to the cinema and hated it, good job we re all different

Auntieflo Mon 06-Aug-18 11:15:14

We/ I watched the film as well. DH sort of did. We had seen it at the local theatre, and they made a good fist if it, but I hadn't seen the film before. So glad I watched it.

Pittcity Mon 06-Aug-18 11:18:34

Bluebelle, it's not a film I would've paid to see, but as a bit of Sunday night light entertainment it hit the spot.

Luckygirl Mon 06-Aug-18 11:21:47

Streep's ability to sing out of tune was amazing!!

Granny23 Mon 06-Aug-18 11:30:16

I had intended an early night but started to watch and saw it through to the end. I know a few people like that who firmly believe they are the world's greatest poet, karaoke singer, cook, artist or jam maker. I would never, never say or do anything to disabuse them of their conviction. To do so would be cruel and as they are lovely people, human kindness ensures that no one else mocks them either.

Granny23 Mon 06-Aug-18 11:32:45

PS - I don't think Meryl Streep's ability to sign out of tune was 'amazing' - I've been doing it for years.

Luckygirl Mon 06-Aug-18 13:31:08

But apparently she can sing in tune and in deed trained in opera when she was younger. I thought she had it spot on - almost there for some of the time then.....ouch!

merlotgran Mon 06-Aug-18 13:52:38

For me, the star of the film was Simon Helberg who played Cosmé McMoon. I couldn't take my eyes off him. His expressions were priceless.

MiniMoon Mon 06-Aug-18 14:35:08

My DH bought me the DVD when it came out. It's a lovely film . My Dad used to talk about Florence Foster Jenkins, and I believe he owned a 78 record with her "operatic" arias on it.

henetha Mon 06-Aug-18 14:38:19

Brilliant, wasn't it Jane10. I also had seen it before but couldn't resist seeing it again. So funny, and yet sad too.
I must be really old because I can remember hearing her on the radio in the 40's/50's.
What a marvelllous film.

Deedaa Mon 06-Aug-18 22:09:55

My parents had some records of Florence when I was a child. We used to play them a lot, The Queen Of The Night was particularly painful!

phoenix Mon 06-Aug-18 22:20:34

You think she was bad, just google (other search engines are available) Leona Anderson "rats in my room" is a gentle introduction to her "style" www.google.co.uk/search?q=leona+anderson+rats+in+my+room&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLUz9U3yKrKKTNV4tFP1zcsNM2qSC63MNcSy0620s8tLc5M1k8sKsksLrEqzs9LL37E6M8t8PLHPWEpt0lrTl5jdODCoVBIjYvNNa8ks6RSSIaLVwphjwaDFDcXgssDAKPbwvaFAAAA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7p6uxrdncAhWMCMAKHUrHDRcQri4IJQ

"Limberger Lover" may require a stiff drink before venturing in to the aural torture that it delivers!

Jane43 Mon 06-Aug-18 22:25:31

Another great performance from Hugh Grant. He was brilliant in the Jeremy Thorpe tv series. As for Meryl Streep, is there any part she can’t play? She is an amazing woman.

Grandma70s Tue 07-Aug-18 10:13:42

The Queen Of The Night aria is so difficult that even really good singers with excellent reputations can mess it up. When our choirmaster was advising us what sort of songs to choose for our (very strict) auditions, he said “Don’t sing the Queen of the Night”. We laughed hollowly, and he said with a sigh “Well, people do!”

I had no idea it was actually Meryl Streep singing until after the film. I assumed it was dubbed. What astonishing ability she must have. You have to be very good to know exactly how to get it wrong.

goldengirl Tue 07-Aug-18 11:34:21

I've read the book and am looking forward to a quiet time when I can watch the film I recorded. I certainly found the book interesting; I'd not heard of her before.

Jane10 Tue 07-Aug-18 12:15:03

Meryl Streeps performance is wonderful goldengirl you have a treat in store when you see the film. Such warmth.

merlotgran Tue 07-Aug-18 12:21:43

My late MiL had a really good Gracie Fields style voice. No classical training but she couldn't 'alf hit the high notes. Our kids would beg her to sing of 'Queen of the Night' - usually while washing up after Sunday lunch.

Meryl Streep's rendition was a real lump in the throat moment. MiL would have laughed her head off.

Mapleleaf Tue 07-Aug-18 21:58:45

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, so touching. Such good acting by everyone.