Meryl Streep is a National Treasure, full stop.
I took a few minutes to scan her body of work over the past thirty plus years. It’s beyond comparison. There is no one in her league. From “Sophie’s Choice” to “Ironweed” to “Kramer vs. Kramer” to the “Deer Hunter” and many, many more, she has dazzled audiences like no other.
Along comes a biopic about a little known New York heiress with a passion for theater, opera and sadly performing. Florence Foster Jenkins was a wealthy socialite who funded the arts lavishly in the late 1930’s into the war years of the 40’s. She was known to have had one of the worst singing voices of all time. That said, her minions led by her protective much younger husband, St Clair Bayfield, insure that her performances are widely attended and enthusiastically received.
Ms. Streep’s performance is among her best ever which is saying a lot. Her ability to belt out songs which at times had me wanting to run screaming from the theater was unsettling and comedic. She is of course an accomplished singer, yet she manages to master the screeching, flat, headache producing vocals with ease. The story of Florence is at times funny but largely a tragic one.
Joinng her in this wonderful, unusual film are Hugh Grant and “Big Bang Theory” standout Simon Helberg. Grant plays her husband and although he keeps a young mistress he is devoted to Florence, likely for her money but clearly because he cares for her deeply. This is quite a departure for Grant but he is terrific throughout.
Helberg plays a young, aspiring pianist from Texas who is hired to accompany Florence when she performs, ultimately at where else, Carnegie Hall. His scenes are among the best in the film. His facial expressions upon hearing Florence tackle and destroy notes are priceless.
I encourage you to take time to see this gem of a movie directed by Stephen Frears of “High Fidelity” fame. Come Oscar time I expect that the incomparable Ms. Streep will find herself in contention once again, and deservedly so.
