Saturday, May 7, 2016

Another clip of Grant and Helberg in "Florence Foster Jenkins"

Florence Foster Jenkins opened in cinemas in the U.K. yesterday.  I'm thrilled at not only how positive the reviews for the film are, but for its actors.  The only real negative reviews I can recall reading for Meryl in the last five years were for August: Osage County.  Even her role for Ricki and the Flash was give some praise, despite that film's tepid critical response.

In her most current film, however, many of the accolades are being placed on her two costars Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg.  Apparently for good reason, too.  A new clip of the pair was released earlier today. Enjoy, and keep on slaying, Flo Fo!

18 comments:

  1. So I saw the film yesterday and, in short, it is great! Well written – very funny but with sincere moments that feel genuine. Good direction – not too fussy but expertly done, as expected. The score and cinematography are also top notch.

    I would venture this is Meryl’s best “dramedic” performance since The Devil Wears Prada. She is utterly endearing as Florence, her singing is uncanny and she’s completely convincing as a deluded but warm-hearted heiress. I prefer her work here to Julie and Julia and I would say this is a better film and her performance even more entertaining..

    I take back what I said about Hugh Grant being a dubious casting choice – he’s excels here. The rest are very good in general too – I liked the man who gives her singing lessons the best!

    This currently has her best ranking on Rotten Tomatoes since Adaptation in 2002 – I wasn’t expecting such a warm reaction!

    Also, there was quite good attendance when I was there – excellent since it was the hottest day of the year so far! I am really hoping this continues to get sterling reviews and becomes a box office hit. In my opinion Meryl has a fighting chance of winning a Golden Globe for this – she’s surpassed herself aaagggaain 

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it and jealous I have to wait! Thrilled that this is getting such great reviews. If this ends up having decent box office returns we may see Meryl contending for Oscar nom.

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  2. There's been talk about the three performers (Streep, Grant and Helberg)getting some award traction as well.

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    1. Definitely Meryl, quite possibly a Supporting GG nod for Grant. Helberg is a longer shot although I found him quite good. I think the cast will get some recognition as they work so well together. Like when It's Complicated won at the National Board of Review in 2009..

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  3. Any shot of Meryl getting Oscar nod as Best Actress?

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    1. Basically what Jeff said, if the film continues to get such strong reviews and makes a good showing at the box office she will definitely be in the mix come December. Also, given the August release in the US her chances increase again.

      Similar scenario to her Julie and Julia year actually although that time she has a “overdue” factor working with her.

      It would be great if they could put it into a festival to get some awards momentum going over the summer but in my opinion this isn’t crucial – the film is really good and Meryl outstanding and this will shine through.

      I have to say though she’s still quite unlikely to win because even when Meryl’s brilliant she’s competing with her own history above everything else. It will have to be exceptional circumstances for her to win again. Or a lot more time to pass!

      Anyway, I didn’t have many high hopes for this project and have been very happily surprised. Where’s our resident pessimist now? :-)

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    2. Long Winded PessimistMay 11, 2016 at 1:31 AM

      Oh I'm around... waiting impatiently for any semblance of new project news.

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    3. Haha glad you have not deserted us! Are you pleased with the response to "Flo Fo"?

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    4. Long Winded Pessimist- I'm with you. Thrilled that FloFo is getting great reviews but I get anxious when there is nothing in the pipeline. Incidentally I happened to listen to The Good House audio book last week again, and the more I think about it, the more I can't believe this role could be passed up. So many parts in the book are easy to envision on screen. Written well, Hildy Good could be unlike anything we've seen from Meryl before. If it gets made, I hope Michael Cunningham has written it with more of a dramatic tone than trying to ham up the occasional light moments...sort of like how they tried to market August: Osage County.

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    5. Ooo forgot to mention I'm in the middle of reading "Her Again." It's fascinating. Everyone should get a copy.

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    6. Well, I think she wasn't so good, so pitch perfect and in such a well-made movie probably since Julie and Julia or Devil wears Prada...

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  4. I Know that this has nothing to do with Meryl's work, but it is only a funny curiosity. This Saturday, Meryl will also be at Eurovision Song Contest, in Stockholm. When she and Grant were at Graham Norton show, they took a picture which will be shown when the UK singer are on stage.
    I've already seen the rehearsal and it's quite funny to see our diva even there.

    Regards to everyone!

    Hugo

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  6. So I went again this afternoon to a matinee performance. I arrived at the end of the trailers and could barely find a seat! Everyone coming out afterwards was smiling or saying how much they enjoyed it - definitely a real crowd-pleaser!

    More observations - The film is more heavy on emotion and character building than focusing on Florence's musical performances, which is the route I hoped they'd take. There are some lovely scenes which might even make you sniffle!

    The film ends, and Meryl alluded to this being the most difficult part, a scene reminiscent of the famous bar scene from Ironweed. Surprising and brilliant.

    My favourite scene, thanks to the wonderful acting, must be Carnegie Hall (empty) when Florence reveals her desires to her husband. This alone is enough to put Meryl in awards contention.

    I picked up on a lot more second time around. Unlike some films you wouldn't go back to re-watch this is definitely one you'd happily sit through more than once! And it seems it's doing bigger business during the week..

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    1. Ugh I'm so jealous that I can't see it yet! I need to check out box office returns from the weekend. Glad to know it seemed like a crowd-pleaser. I think Meryl will definitely be in contention for this.

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    2. I do too Jeff, I prefer this performance much more than her Julia Child - she's funnier here, more likable and there's much more heart. Unless a huge rival develops later in the year I can easily see Meryl getting the Golden Globe for this. And hopefully it won't be forgotten when Best Cast is recognized too.

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  7. Just see Florence here in Glasgow ( third week here). Loved it and the whole cast. Amazing how Meryl adapts her voice to sound like the unique Ms Jenkins. Hugh Grant is excellent,he needs more good parts like this.
    It's a moving portrait of an unusual woman and Meryl deserves an Oscar nomination.

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