Florence Foster Jenkins, the 2016 comedy period drama starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, will air on BBC Two tonight, October 1, at 11.05pm.
Star-studded cast and true story
The film, directed by Stephen Frears with a screenplay co-written by Nicholas Martin and Julia Kogan, tells the true story of a New York heiress celebrated for her charitable nature and utterly dreadful singing voice - a reality apparently lost on her alone.
The period drama's official plot states: "In the 1940s, New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins dreams of becoming a great opera singer. Unfortunately, her ambition far exceeds her talent. The voice Florence hears in her head is beautiful, but to everyone else it is quite lousy. Her husband St. Clair goes to extreme lengths to make sure his wife never finds out how awful she truly is. When Florence announces her plans for a concert at Carnegie Hall, St. Clair soon realizes that he's facing his greatest challenge yet."
The 2016 film stars Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant as the leading duo, supported by Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson, Nina Arianda, Stanley Townsend, Allan Corduner, and Christian McKay.
Critical and commercial success
Florence Foster Jenkins arrived in UK cinemas on May 6, 2016, with filming having taken place in Liverpool during 2015. Streep and Grant were photographed on location in Liverpool's Drury Lane, which was transformed into 1940s New York City and Central Park West for the period piece.
The film proved a critical triumph, earning Streep a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her performance, while the production itself secured a Best Costume Design Oscar nod. The movie also received four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Enjoying solid commercial success, Florence Foster Jenkins grossed $56 million at the worldwide box office against production costs estimated at $29 million.
Audience and critic acclaim
Boasting an impressive 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the period drama has resonated strongly with audiences. One critic said: "Director [Stephen] Frears has created a beautifully done film with good costuming, street scenes of old New York and first class performances."
Another reviewer noted: "Florence Foster Jenkins is an interesting film incredibly pleasant on the surface, and profoundly honest at its core." While a third critic added: "Brilliant crowd pleasing biopic with enough drama and humour to entertain and break your heart."
Yet another impressed critic said: "Jenkins' singing may be horrendously off-key, but together Grant and Streep hit all the right notes and deliver a harmonious and often hilarious performance."
Viewers have been similarly captivated. One fan said: "A rare thing that delivers both drama and comedy, mostly thanks to the excellent central trio of performances. You start by laughing at the delusion and the squawk, but it does a great job of bringing you on FFJ's side by showing her genuine passion for music, so that by the end you are willing her to hit that note. Very sentimental but earns it."
Another audience review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "One of the craziest biopics ever told, Meryl Streep is absolutely hilarious."
While one fan of the period drama writes: "A truly entertaining film that runs the gamut of emotion. I chortled, laughed, gasped, hooted, wept and sighed. Streep and Hugh Grant are brilliant. Even if a few liberties were taken, they can be forgiven. The essence of Florence comes through. What a deliciously wonderful movie."
Yet another audience review posted on IMDB reads: "What a delightful, tragically funny and touching masterpiece in every which way. Stephen Frears once again delivers a brilliantly directed, stunningly told and outstandingly acted movie!"
Florence Foster Jenkins will air on BBC Two tonight, October 1, at 11.05pm.
