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

I love singing especially in pubs on karaoke mush to the embarrassment of my 2 kids

I was told my singing sounds like a lorry but I still sing.

I loved the film and would warn people to bring tissues.

Like Florence, I sing for joy not talent.

Haven't seen the film, but I am the worlds most talented guitarist as long as there's non F chords or B chords in the song and any fiddly lead parts. My neighbours don't seem to agree, but I don't care...I'm having fun.

Thanks MN for the tickets, I attended with my DH and it was very nice.

To answer the questions:

• What were your general feelings about the film?

I still don't know. It's definitely a good film, well made, with good actors, good direction and all. Meryl Streep is great, as always (the film reminded me of an actress, don't remember the name, who said that there are only bad and mediocre roles for women after a certain age - unless you are Meryl Streep!).

The film raises lots of interesting questions: how much should we support other people's dreams, even when it's clear to everyone that it's the wrong option (or they are making a fool of themselves)?

At some point the film itself started to feel to me like one of Florence's projects. Like a film that someone wanted to make - and then got the money to make. And made it. Even if there was no point to it.

Or maybe everyone is just SO nice that I couldn't believe that's the way things happened. St Clair lives off her money, but is completely devoted to her. She is bonkers and has no grasp of reality, but is the most lovely lady in the world. Even Cosme, despite initial doubts, is absolutely loyal to Florence. I was asking myself if the screenwriter was part of the family, or why the film was so generous to all characters.

Hm, I'm not sure if I'm making sense now...

Bottom line: it is a good film, better than loads of things around, and an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

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

Between 3 and 4

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

My DH. He enjoyed it, we laughed and cringed, and left the screening talking about the charaters and reading about them on wikipedia.

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

I sing badly, but still sing a lot all the time. I run, but I don't care if my friends are better (and they are!). And cook. Almost everyday, but it's never very good...

I think I am funny. Very Possibly I am not . My husband and children laugh with me anyway and do not seem at all embarressed.
Thats love

I went to see the film on Wednesday with a friend & we both enjoyed it. Although it is quite long it flew by, I'd recommend it & like a PP I looked up the characters afterwards. I learned yesterday that someone I know was an extra.

I thoroughly enjoyed Florence Foster Jenkins film It was just to my taste!
I never wanted a break through it,
I thought the storyline was fantastic and actually quite comical. Brilliant acting and I admired their costumes! I would recommend watching this if you haven't already :)

Non-tester. Mine has got to be singing! I was quite literally the only person at Junior school who was not permitted to join the choir as my voice was SO awful and yet I sing all the time in the car and around the house with my kids begging me to stop.

non-tester. Went and saw the film with my friend last night at our local cinema, wanted to see it since I saw the first trailer and we weren't disappointed. I enjoy singing, and even if I'm not the best singer on the night, I'm by no way the worst either. Loved the bit where Florence said 'People may say I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing.'

I would rate it 5 star.
It was very funny and touching at different moments and of course had a good cast.
I went with my mum and she really enjoyed it as well.
I think i am good at dancing but others would say otherwise!

Non attendee - I have to say, much like in this film, I am convinced I have the voice of an angel and sing around the house all the time ... until my son tells me I sound like the cat when he is in pain!!

• What were your general feelings about the film?

Loved it, very good entertainment

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

4 stars

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

My other half, he liked it but not as much as me

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

Singing, in the car mainly so nobody has to hear me!

My non talent is dancing. I can't dance for toffee and have all the grace of an elephant. But it doen't stop me from grooving around the house when nobody is watching!

I think I can play darts but can't really aim for any particular score, I did come second in a competition on holiday though!

I think I'm a great comedian, I'll tell jokes to friends and family... I know I'm not as I often mix up the story and the punchline or tell it wrong.

The worst case was when I was telling one and people we're laughing (probably pity laughter) only to be interrupted by a friend who said, "no that's not right... it's this" they went on to tell the joke properly and had everyone in stitches (genuine stitches)

I'm still telling jokes none the less...

I think I have a talent for dancing, I'm not always the best & I tend to fall over my feet a bit, but I'm the first on the dancefloor and last to get off

I love baking but I'm not very good at it, there just isn't any oommmppphhh in my baking and it all just tastes mundane. But I still continue to do it as it makes me happy.

I fancy myself as a cake decorater and spend ages trawlling sites like pintrest and looking at all the wonderful cakes. Then I bake a cake and out comes the fondant icing - I do make my own rather than use ready made - maybe that's my downfall. About four hours later and the cake is fiinished. Trouble is it looks like it was done by a six year old.

I would love to see the film and certainly will.

I like to think I make beautiful silver clay jewellery , but in my heart I know I don''t have the patience really and very understanding relatives when they get them as presents .

As for the DC he has an aptitude for interior decorating , though my Mum-in -Law swears its drawing on his wall .

My 3 year old daughter thinks she's a great dancer and I love it :)

My not so talent is probably singing haha I like to think i am great at it but i know deep down that i really aren't ahahah

I love painting and doing crafts. I am hopeless at both but do it anyway because I enjoy it. My son loves dancing- he hasn't got much rhythm yet but I'm sure he'll get it....one day, lol xx

Non-tester
I think that I have a talent for cooking, but every time we watch Masterchef my OH sits there saying, 'you'd be late', 'you wouldn't finish on time', 'you'd be the disorganised one'. At least he doesn't criticise the taste of my food though!

I think I am good at gardening, in reality, I can edge a garden and pull random weeds out, but this is in between bouts of squealing over bugs! I don't do any more than that yet think I am on par with Alan Tichmarsh!