Florence Foster Jenkins details the life and times of a wealthy American socialite whose love and passion for music and the arts far surpassed her abilities to perform in either of them. Jenkins was blessed with affluence and charm, but cursed with poor health and even poorer vocal nodules. However, that is not to say that her story is a tragic one. It is neither presented as a satirical tale of naivety or vanity, though Florence does display these qualities, her good nature overcomes the shallowness of these personality flaws. This is likely as a result of someone like Streep playing her with subtly and tenacity aplenty. Florence's story is one of admirable strength and courage in the face of brutal harsh reality and even harsher critics. If one truly loves something, they must pursue it at all costs, even to the preposterous lengths of selling out Carnegie Hall for a private concert!
In the film we find the flighty protagonist pursuing two things, love and music. Hugh Grant portrays St. Clair Bayfield, Florence's dedicated and long suffering husband with wit and charm that makes us both adore and deplore his choices and actions throughout the film. Despite his questionable fidelity, Florence stays with him, not because he is the perfect husband, but because he is the one that life gave her and she is determined to make the best of it, as she does with everything else.
While the film does call upon comedy to quell the audience into a calm state of socially acceptable hackling, you'll find yourself very much rooting for Florence near the film's climax. Why is this? Does her talent improve? Does her situation greatly alter? No, you'll find yourself rooting for Florence because you will discover that you have quite a bit of Florence in yourself, whether you are aware of it or not. Florence is an Id, all pleasure and goodness, with little consideration for what reality requires or constitutes as "quality". We all enjoy partaking in things we don't particularly excel at. Whether these things be singing, sporting or even riding a unicycle blindfolded while juggling old IPhones in your hands; we all have hobbies that disregard capabilities for sturdy validation. Florence never sung to prove anything to anyone, much like Meryl Streep in the last slew of films she's selected to star in recently. These are Projects of Passion, not necessity.
Florence performed for one person and one person only, Florence. At the film's conclusion we are reminded that the audience in our head is the one we are truly attempting to entertain, and we always succeed in that endeavor when we put on a smile and engage in the things that give our life meaning and joy. Being an audience member in this stellar period piece dramedy, I was reminded about how being the best matters very little, when you're being the best you, you can possibly be. It is with that message that the film allows Florence Foster Jenkins's voice to live on for many, many years to come.
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