MovieChat Forums > Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) Discussion > Sweet and Moving

Sweet and Moving

posted 8 years ago by wentworthstreet
4 replies | jump to latest

It is hard to find anything negative to say about this film. A wonderful cast coupled with the true story of a woman blessed with great humanity and a deep, abiding passion for music. Such a cruel irony then that she was not also blessed with the voice of an angel. Perhaps it is fair to say that vocally she was in range but never quite hit the target.

It would be so easy to depict St. Clair Bayfield money grubbing leech but I think his love for Florence and his wish to protect her was perfectly genuine, as was her love for him.

I can't help feeling though that Earl Wilson of the New York Post had a point during his confrontation with St. Clair, when he accused Bayfield of encouraging Florence's operatic delusion, thus leaving her open to riducule. For some reason I thought of Simon Cowell at this point!

I also thought that Rebecca Ferguson did a great job as Kathleen.

I hope that when awards season comes around, this film will be duly recognised.

CARRY ON CLEO
Ceasar: If Cleopatra and this other upstart ...
Brutus: Ptolemy?
Ceasar: I am telling you!

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

I'm wondering if the voice you hear towards the end is the voice that she heard when she was singing. I like her 'perfect' appraisal of her first take at the recording studio.

[–] wentworthstreet 8 years ago

I'm wondering if the voice you hear towards the end is the voice that she heard when she was singing. I like her 'perfect' appraisal of her first take at the recording studio.

I completely agree with you, on both counts.

CARRY ON CLEO
Ceasar: If Cleopatra and this other upstart ...
Brutus: Ptolemy?
Ceasar: I am telling you!

[–] mudsharkbytes (170) 8 years ago

As a concert pianist one of the things my teacher used to make me do was record myself and listen back to it. The reason for this is you hear all kinds of things you had no idea you were doing while performing - it calls your attention to issues you're having.

What I found surprising was FFJ DID record herself and obviously listened to the recordings. That she didn't hear the rather profound problems she was having means she was likely tone deaf.

Possibly the syphilis damaged her ability to hear correctly. There is speculation it's what caused Beethoven's deafness.

[–] The-Musicscope 8 years ago

I saw the movie in theatre and as soon as the DVD came out (last week here) I snapped that baby up and have watched it twice . Not sure why there wasn't a blu-ray release at the same time, but I wasn't too worried.

I agree with you there wasn't a weak link in the film in any way really, but my personal favourite was Simon Helberg .

Har ring molassis abounding
Common lap kitch sardin a poor floundin.