Florence Foster Jenkins film screening feedback thread - non testers - chance to win £100 and signed poster! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Ahead of the UK release of new film Florence Foster Jenkins on 6th May, around 35 Mumsnetters attended a special preview of the film with a guest. Read the comments below for their reviews.

NON ATTENDEES If you didn’t attend, in the true spirit of Florence, we would love to hear about the 'talents' you think you have but in reality you know you're not that good at but do anyway because you love them or even the 'talents' your DC have which only a parent would really love - add your comment below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice and a film poster signed by Meryl Streep.

Here’s the film’s synopsis:
“Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg and directed by Stephen Frears (Philomena, The Queen), the hilarious and moving new comedy drama FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS is the inspirational true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. The film celebrates the human spirit, the power of music and the passion of amateurs everywhere. The voice Florence (Streep) heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful. Her husband and manager, St Clair Bayfield (Grant), an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence decided to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944, St Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge.”

You can view the trailer for the film below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 9rRVCNffvKk

The film will be on general release in Cinemas from the 6th May.

Book Tickets here:
www.florencefosterjenkinsfilm.com/showtimes

Attendees: for a chance to win a £100 voucher from a store of your choice and a film poster signed by Meryl Streep, please give your film feedback as below:

• What were your general feelings about the film?
  

• If you were rating the film, where 5 is brilliant and 1 is poor, what would you give it?
  

• Who did you attend the screening with? What did they think of the film?
  

• In the spirit of Florence, tell us the things you are no good at but do anyway because you love them.
  

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Greensmurf1]

Thank you MN for the screening tickets. Florence Foster Jenkins was an absolute delight. 5*. I brought my friend from work and we had such a good laugh. It really helped to wash away all the stress from the work day. It was a heartwarming story, wonderfully acted, fantastic costumes, set design and musical score ;).
If only we all had the enthusiasm, devotion, generosity, self belief and passion that Florence had... Sure, we might end up a bit deluded, but the world would be a more joyful place.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

I have to agree with the above poster, it was a brilliant film. I thought it was't for me, but by the end I shed a little tear. The whole cast was amazing, especially Meryl Streep and the story was really good. Thanks for the ticket!

[hanliying]

It was a great film. It is very inspiring and easy to enjoy at the same time! Big thumb up!

[lmfc]

Great film, attended with a friend. Thanks for the tickets!
A lovely love story with some great laughs. 4*

[poopoopoo]

What a lovely film, thank you. Meryl Streep played the part so well, and Hugh Grant was charming as her husband. The story is heartwarming, sad, funny, compelling, and amazingly true. I cried, laughed, watched in anticipation and baby bump did summersaults to the music! Simon Helberg is so funny as the Pianist, I think he was my favourite. We had a fantastic evening, 5* film; even my husband who was sceptical enjoyed it and laughed out load.
I also love to sing and to my kids annoyance do so very loudly in the car

[notagiraffe]

Thank you. My friend and I loved the film. We both knew FFJ's voice and were looking forward to a good laugh. But I was really impressed by how subtle and kind to her the film was. Streep's performance was stunning. She played down the insufferable egotistical diva, and played up the innocent, music loving, generous spirit who simply has no idea she's out of tune. The references to her syphilis were really moving - she might have genuinely been a talented pianist if it hadn't been for nerve damage. I loved that everyone in the film was a sympathetic character and yet the drama was still intense. The story showed how much her husband was not just a sponging adulterer but truly loved her and gave as much as he took.
Even Simon Helberg, who I can't stand as Howard the sex pest creep in TBBT, won me over in the end. Once I got past thinking of him as Howard, he was lovely as Cosme, who chooses loyalty and friendship over ambition, and whose tolerance of Florence's talentlessness ultimately allows him to achieve his own dream of playing a sell out at Carnegie Hall.

Best of all, the film had a really unusual message - that talent is not all it's cracked up to be and that getting out there and doing what you long to do instead of waiting until you are good enough, has its own rewards. Several times, Hugh Grant's character says, 'We're happy. We have a good life.' They do what they love fantastically badly and don't mind that the reception is honest. (When her husband, a failed actor, tries to recite poetry to her to help her to sleep, she says, 'I'll read instead.') As Florence says: 'People might say I couldn't sing, but no one can ever say that I didn't sing' at Carnegie Hall. It's a film that leaves you feeling joyous and optimistic about your dreams, however far fetched they are.

[notagiraffe]

What were your general feelings about the film?
Loved it. See above.

• If you were rating the film, where 5 is brilliant and 1 is poor, what would you give it?
  

5*

• Who did you attend the screening with? What did they think of the film?
  

A friend who like me, loves FFJ

• In the spirit of Florence, tell us the things you are no good at but do anyway because you love them.
  

Running! I'm fat and old and often come in last. But I love running. It makes me happy. It's a joy to be out in the countryside, to see the sun sparkle on the frosty fields, hear the birds sing. In my mind I'm Paula Radcliffe. In reality I'm that chubby middle aged woman gasping for breath at the back. :) So what?

[Goldenhandshake]

I attended the preview last night and although it is not something I think I would have chosen to see when reading the overview, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, the leading cast were all fantastic, especially Meryl Streep, she played the part sympathetically and with aplomb. I laughed at so many parts, and the ending was very touching, a heartwarming film despite some of the quite sensitive subjects such as adultery and syphilis.

[Goldenhandshake]

Just realised I missed a few questions! Star rating would be a 4*, I attended with a friend who had a similar reaction to me, loved it but not something she'd typically choose, she also shed some tears at the end.

I am absolutely useless with anything technology based, but still get the latest snazzy phone and bumble along not making full use of it because I don't have a clue!

[raisedbyguineapigs]

I went to the screening and really lived it. It was a really heartwarming tale. You start off thinking Florence is being fleeced by sycophants, then by the end, you just feel they do really just love her and want to protect her. Beautiful!

[CopperPan]

Non tester but wish I'd been able to go! Looking forward to seeing the film when it comes out.

I love to dance and go to dance lessons, but my coordination is terrible and it takes me three times as long to pick up a sequence than anyone else! Luckily the class I attend is really relaxed and supportive so I can laugh at myself and just enjoy keeping active in a fun way.

[Belo]

What were your general feelings about the film?
Having seen other Stephen Frears films I was sure that it would be a very enjoyable film. I was correct! It was well acted, humorous and had a good message - do what you love!

If you were rating the film, where 5 is brilliant and 1 is poor, what would you give it? I would give this 5*. And, it passed the watch test. I.e. I didn't look at my watch once whilst the film was on!

Who did you attend the screening with? What did they think of the film? I attended the film with my almost 11 year old daughter. She loved it and thought it was really funny. It is a good family film.

In the spirit of Florence, tell us the things you are no good at but do anyway because you love them I can't sing to save my life. My husband says when I sing I sound like a dog in pain! When I told my duaghter that this had inspired me and asked if she thought I should start singing she got quite upset at the idea!

[VilootShesCute]

My ds thinks he's a master at massaging feet, but it hurts me and I have to sit and put up with the pain so as not to hurt his feelings!

[Jonquille]

Thank you Mumsnet for this opportunity. I was sold when I saw the cast of the movie. Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and of course Simon Helberg delivered it! Their act was perfect as it is expected from them. Simon Helberg played it really well as Cosme and I think he was the perfect candidate for the role.
It is a true story of a rich lady who loves music. She loves to sing even if she sounds like a "Dead cat" as they call her in the movie. But the devotion of her husband and the loyalty of her pianist make it possible for her to give a concert at Carnegie Hall. Knowing that she is dying from syphilis her wishes are her command and she has the means to pay her way through. So Meryl Streep playing Florence let's us all know, that we have to pursue our dreams. And not to have regrets. I was really inspired after this hilarious movie. Once instant we were laughing hard the next we were barely breathing to see how the events would turn. This is a great movie to watch and full of suspense.

- What were your general feelings about the film?
A really positive story of love, devotion, friendship, setting a goal and achieving it, difficult relationships and living the life one would not regret. After a movie we were charged with positive energy, you look to your life with fresh look and to make every moment you live a joyful one. For this fact alone this is a must watch movie.

- If you were rating the film, where 5 is brilliant and 1 is poor, what would you give it?
I would give it all 5*!

- Who did you attend the screening with? What did they think of the film?
I watched it with my husband. He was sceptical about the choice of the movie, but he truly enjoyed it, thanking me at the end of the movie. He said he didn't laugh so much in such a long time and it was refreshing.

- In the spirit of Florence, tell us the things you are no good at but do anyway because you love them. I used to like drawing and I still keep buying different paints to paint, now I think I can restart that hobby and enjoy this with my DD1 who seems very artistic too.

[foxessocks]

Wish I could have gone and I'm definitely going to see this as soon as possible! Love the look of the trailer and the cast.

My talent that I'm not really talented at is probably also singing although I wouldn't perform in front of crowds! I will sing loudly to the radio and imagine I'm a world class performer - only when alone or with my daughter though! I wish I had the confidence to just go for it but in reality I know I can't sing!

[Elliecherry]

Non tester here
That film looks like something I'd enjoy :)
My talent that I'm not so talented at is card making. I really enjoy it, along with other craft things, I'm just really not that good!

[TheCookingMonster]

Non tester here:
I like to jog but I am not very good at it. I once took part in a 10k race for charity and thought I was doing ok until two much larger ladies WALKED past me jogging!! I was mortified!!

Looking forward to seeing this film very much.

[raisedbyguineapigs]

I didn't rate the film in my massively brief review, done on my phone at work! I'd give it 5/5. The cast was great. The guy who played the pianist was great, really funny, Meryl was her usual brilliant self, and even Hugh Grant was touching and genuine as her husband.
I'm a terrible runner, but I love it!

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

DD2 fancies herself as a hairdresser. She loves to bash me over the head with a hairbrush brush my hair and put multiple clips and bands in it style it for me.

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Non tester

I love singing but know I'm terrible at it! It doesn't stop me though - I sing in the car,, in the shower, whilst I'm cooking, to my children (constantly! )
I'd love a voice like Adele's but I can only dream! !


Film sounds fab by the way!

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Non-attendee
My talent is that I am very funny. My children don't think so though.

[Maiyakat]

Non-tester

DD loves to do 'gymnastic' shows which mainly involve climbing over chairs. Don't think it'll be on the West End any time soon!

[sharond101]

I love to sing but am awful! I love to cook and HUsband thinks Iam great at it but really my scope is very narrow and against competition I'd be flat on my back. My Son is wicked at everything, everyone loves him, I am so not biased!

[nushcar]

What were your general feelings about the film?

I was very glad I saw it. Thanks Mumsnet for the tickets! It was a funny, morally uplifting film and I enjoyed the fashion and colour. Hugh Grant's dancing set piece was particularly good! It was very compassionately told. The line, 'They might say I can't sing, but they can't say I didn't sing!' will be something I tell my kids every time they shy away from things they do not feel confident at!

• If you were rating the film, where 5 is brilliant and 1 is poor, what would you give it?
  

4 - it was a good laugh, had lovely set pieces and actually quite a few strong moral messages about daring to fail, living for one's passions, standing by friends, protecting people's feelings and generosity of spirit.

• Who did you attend the screening with? What did they think of the film?
  

My Aunt. She loved it. We were both laughing and yet feeling incensed when the audience at her performances laughed at her!

• In the spirit of Florence, tell us the things you are no good at but do anyway because you love them.
  

Abstract art and drawing - the images in my head never really translate on the page, but it is a childlike pleasure to draw and paint. I cannot sing either, but sing along loudly at toddler singing classes as don't want my kids to be inhibited like I was when I was younger.

[FunnymalsOnPop]

I took my best friend to see this film. We laughed and we cried - he adored it as much as I did. Meryl Streep was masterful in playing this woefully untalented but generous and warm-hearted woman with dignity. The humour never felt unkind. I was particularly touched by a scene where Cosime plays a duet with Florence on the piano. It was rawly intimate, compassionate and deeply moving. I've always admired Meryl Streep, but have new respect for Hugh Grant for so sympathetically playing an aging, faded wannabe actor, and Simon Helberg for his portrayal as the sensitive young pianist.

5* from me, and from my gentleman friend.