Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Nicholas Martin

Stars:

Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 39 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Meryl Streep	...	Florence Foster Jenkins
Hugh Grant	...	St Clair Bayfield
Simon Helberg	...	Cosmé McMoon
Rebecca Ferguson	...	Kathleen
Nina Arianda	...	Agnes Stark
Stanley Townsend	...	Phineas Stark
Allan Corduner	...	John Totten
Christian McKay	...	Earl Wilson
David Haig	...	Carlo Edwards
John Sessions	...	Dr. Hermann
Brid Brennan	...	Kitty
John Kavanagh	...	Arturo Toscanini
Pat Starr	...	Mrs Vanderbilt
Maggie Steed	...	Mrs James O'Flaherty
Thelma Barlow	...	Mrs Oscar Garmunder

Storyline

Florence Foster Jenkins, an heiress from NYC, always wanted to be a concert pianist and play Carnegie Hall. An injury in her youth deterred that dream, so she sets out to sing her way to Carnegie Hall, knowing the only way to get there would be, "Practice, practice, practice". Her husband supports her venture, and Florence Foster Jenkins' performance at Carnegie Hall becomes a truly historic event.

---

Plot Keywords:

bad singing | carnegie hall | singing out of tune | concert | heiress | 

---

Taglines:

Every voice deserves to be heard.

---

Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief suggestive material.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English German Italian Russian

Release Date:

12 August 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Florence

Filming Locations:

Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,601,313, 12 August 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$27,370,107, 23 October 2016

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,080,000, 12 August 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Qwerty Films, Pathé Pictures International, BBC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (some footage)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Thelma Barlow: one of Florence's elderly socialite friends.

---

Goofs

St.Clair Bayfield visits pianist Cosme McMoon in his apartment to discuss the upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall. In one shot, the back of a piece of sheet music on the piano says "The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music". In the next shot, the back of the sheet music is different.

---

Quotes

Florence Foster Jenkins: [dressed as Valkyre] How do I look?
St Clair Bayfield: Wunderbar.

---

Connections

Featured in Florence Foster Jenkins: Behind the Scenes (2016)

---

Soundtracks

Ride of the Valkyries
Written by Richard Wagner
Arranged by Terry Davies

User Reviews

What happens when serious music is turned upside down?

The film is based on the true story of the New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins. In 1944 she hired Carnegie Hall to perform as a soprano soloist. With no musical ability whatsoever but a large inheritance to enable her to indulge her love of performing, Florence Foster Jenkins becomes an unwitting musical clown which sustains the comedy throughout the film. The character is played with gentle comic affection by Meryl Streep.

Hugh Grant is well cast as Florence's doting and enabling husband St Clair Bayfield. It is to Grant's charisma and acting ability that he is able to portray an adulterous scoundrel who is milking his wife's inheritance and turn it into a devoted and loving husband. His brilliant charm offensive is one of the remarkable things about the movie.

Hazel Finn