Florence Foster Jenkins

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Florence Foster Jenkins Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Charming period comedy may not sing to younger viewers.

PG-13 2016 110 minutes
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Florence Foster Jenkins is a period dramedy based on the true life of the titular character (played by Meryl Streep), a New York socialite and patron of the arts in the first half of the 20th century. There's a bit of strong language ("ass," "bulls--t," "s--t," "a--hole") and some passionate kisses, as well as a glimpse of a couple naked in bed (the sheet covers all of their sensitive areas) and a few suggestive jokes. Married characters have an open relationship that includes a girlfriend for the husband. Fans of more mature comedies will definitely be amused by Streep's hilariously delusional character, who has no clue how terrible a singer she is. But her husband's loyalty to her and other characters' determination to support her help keep things from getting mean-spirited. And while Jenkins' "success" is helped significantly by the many resources she has available to her, an upbeat take on the movie's message is that if you love something wholeheartedly, you shouldn't stop trying to do it, even if you're not the best at it.

Community Reviews

BenedictWomack
BenedictWomack Adult
April 23, 2022
age 10+
Short. Is it true. I'm sorry- you catch me, at the period of history when I am not obsessively saying here are story-tellers. They put spin on things. I take it off again and return you your truth. Yes, it's based on real people - who I have no idea about, and the film told me that itself. What happens? A dying lady in New York prepares for a concert during WW2. What do I think. Just don't think of it as a comedy. Or as a main feature. Night! With a bit more time... This whatever it is brings up a serious point. (Far too serious for me.) Say you worship Kindness. But you run a choir. Some of these men and women- sound like angels. Some sound like howler monkeys. (I can only say this, from "rock solid surface" of - not liking the sound of my own voice, but of some other people occasionally liking the sound of my tenor voice.) (But- a defence from arrogance is you work at it- see the problems, don't be sunning yourself on the non-problems/ if you have skills, then it's your duty to develop them. I don't. Anyway.) You're trying to make Art, you want it to be beautiful- so you edit out young Edmund/Edith. (Underlined) There's pains involved. There's another Beauty, that is- communities gelling. (and this is of course simplistic, slightly dishonest.) Limited resources, your own baggage and background- what do you , choir master, focus on? Here , and with Downton Abbey, I still feel, a trouble with Singin' in the Rain, is the treatment of Lina Lamont finally. Summer's day, but everyone squabbles tired at the close. Takes shine off. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. I'll stop. I think two things. 1) If you were at an audition, and someone downplays 'the competition' rather, then as audience you may laugh (and regret it.) If you have masses of money, and you recreate this one joke, then there's a thing- it was funny because it's in the flow of life. Economy to it. 2) Simply being about opulence... there is a climate crisis on. That's a big one- when we switch off, at the weekends... Life never does. Agh. How not to worry. Thanks again.
Blckscrnwrtr
Blckscrnwrtr Adult
January 22, 2022
age 14+

Goofy but Heartwarming

This one packs more of an emotional push than you'd expect for a movie about a tone-deaf socialite who lives to sing. I found myself laughing quite a bit. There is a subplot about the husband's extramarital relationship that may be unsuitable for younger kids. Overall, a good watch and has a deep message about perseverance.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on a true story, FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS is set in 1944 New York City. Title character Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) is a wealthy patron of the arts who founded a music-centered social club with her husband, St. Clair "Whitey" Bayfield (Hugh Grant). Interested in taking voice lessons again, Florence -- who suffers from a chronic illness -- and Whitey hire young pianist Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) as her accompanist to work with a renowned voice tutor. But as Cosme discovers on the first day of lessons, while Florence may know a lot about music, she can barely carry a tune. Not that she seems to know that, since Whitey ensures that all of her intimate recitals are for a handpicked audience of supportive friends and paid-off music writers. But when Florence insists on recording an album and booking Carnegie Hall for a public concert, nothing Whitey can do will keep unsympathetic music critics and audiences from attending.

Is It Any Good?

Streep's heartwarming, hilarious performance as a music lover oblivious to her own awful singing voice makes this biopic a surprisingly poignant look at one woman's delusional delight. Florence Foster Jenkins wouldn't be anywhere near as effective if audiences didn't know that Streep definitely can sing, whether she's belting out Broadway numbers or performing a folk ballad. The comedy also wouldn't work if it wasn't set in the '40s, since today such a vanity project would be instantly trashed and mocked via social media. But thanks to Streep's commitment to the role, Jenkins is a sweetly tragicomic figure whose dream to sing for an audience won't be denied.

Supporting Streep/Jenkins are Grant and Helberg. Grant's Whitey may have a girlfriend on the side, but he genuinely shares a "love of the spirit" with Jenkins ... as well as a more traditional physical and romantic love with said girlfriend, a downtown bohemian named Kathleen (Rebecca Ferguson). But Whitey's devotion to Florence is unquestionable and not a cad's con, as you might assume. The Big Bang Theory's Helberg is endearing as Florence's pianist, a role he plays mostly with his eyes -- wide in bemused horror -- and knowing smile. While the topic and setting may not be a shoo-in for younger audiences, you can always leave the kids at home and take the grandparents out to appreciate this crowd-pleasing comedy about a woman whose love of music was so deep she was self-deceptively sure of her own talent.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of biographical dramas like Florence Foster Jenkins. Do movies about little-known historical figures make you interested in learning more about them?

  • How does Florence's situation in life (her wealth, her support system) affect her ability to pursue her dream? What would have happened to someone without those resources? Does that send a message?

  • What do you think about Florence? Is she egotistical and delusional (as one music critic suggests), or is she simply such a lover of music that she can't hear what she sounds like?

  • Do you consider any of the characters role models? If so, who, and why? Which ones demonstrate empathy and compassion? Why are those important character strengths?

  • Talk about the idea that there are different kinds of love. Do you agree? How does that play out in the movie?

Movie Details

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