Florence Foster Jenkins

Opera singer wins court battle over film authorship

Opera singer Julia Kogan has won a court battle over the authorship of Florence Foster Jenkins and will now receive a co-writing credit on the 2016 film.

In 1940s New York, Florence Foster Jenkins won a certain affectionate notoriety as "the worst goddam singer in the world", a socialite-turned-diva who nevertheless attracted a following. Meryl Streep is marvellous as Jenkins, undaunted by the physical frailty left by syphilis; Hugh Grant matches her as her partner, St Clair Bayfield. Frears is note-perfect in a poignantly funny biopic.

Florence Foster Jenkins review

While the tonal shifts between the comic and tragic sides of the story aren't resolved and leave some residual discomfort, the film also reminds us of the importance of the arts, especially when bigger world events may make such concerns appear trivial. In today's climate of increasing austerity and cuts for this sector, Florence Foster Jenkins shows that music and performance can offer a little escapism and a lot of therapy.

Florence Foster Jenkins is charming, frothy, endearing

it may lack a certain dramatic weight which stops it from having the modern classic feel of something like Stephen Frears' 2013 critical darling Philomena. But it's undeniably charming, frothy, endearing fun that amiably celebrates self-belief and what it means to have a dream in life.

Florence Foster Jenkins review

Meryl Streep shines as New York's unforgettably talentless soprano.

Florence Foster Jenkins -- film review: 'A deft comedy'

Meryl Streep is a perfect fit as the notoriously tuneless singer in Stephen Frears' film.

Review: Florence Foster Jenkins

Meryl Streep is typically divine as the socialite singer who became a legend for all the wrong reasons.

Florence Foster Jenkins review

Stephen Frears presents a picture that while humorous, focuses on the idea of pursuing one's dreams and that blind sense of childlike whimsy that enables you to do things you wouldn't normally do.