Mixed Feelings

I gave it a 5 too. It was a one-joke film with minimal character development. Pleasant enough, but not memorable and not in the same league as other films by Stephen Frears: The Grifters, The Queen, Philomena and My Beautiful Launderette.

Stavsky, it's 4 months since your original post, so wonder if you've changed your feelings or not.
I will add that the movie struck a Major chord with me. I'm a big film buff and saw a lot of good ones this year, but this was probably my favorite! We all have opinions, but it is definitely not a 'one-joke wonder'. That opinion was flat-out wrong. There is so much to the story. Supporting characters are interesting and in some cases a hoot (McMoon). The historical feel & look of the mid 1940's is terrific and should be seen & appreciated by more people, especially among the younger generation. And one important note: Streep, the musical coordinators and Frears do a great job with her singing. It's SO important to make it clear she is not good enough to sing opera, but she is also clearly not a terrible singer! It would have been easy to make her be totally off-key. But in some ways, and in some cases, her voice is pleasant and she hits it right. That makes it all the more striking when she does go off-key or fails to hit the right note. Likewise, Grant's character could have just been a cad with a girlfriend on the side. But the film reveals the motivations, and reasons for the affair, in an ironically touching and understandable way that brings empathy to All characters. Much greater depth than so many movies. I just thought it was brilliant.

Hope that those on the fence will be open-minded and give this gem a look.....

Giving a movie a 3/10 sure doesn't sound like "mixed feelings." 

P.S. Haven't seen this yet, but I am interested.