I don’t think I’ll ever quite understand why the story and/or recordings of Florence Foster Jenkins have captivated people for decades. For those who don’t know this very real person’s story, Jenkins was a filthy rich heiress and generous patron of the arts in the early part of the 1900s. She also fancied herself an amateur opera singer, and with the money she was donating throughout the music world at the time, who was going to argue with her? The fact that she had no rhythm, pitch, pronunciation, or tone didn’t seem to come into play (you can find recordings of her online), and her devoted husband, St Clair Bayfield, made sure any bad notices of her rare public performances stayed away from her eyes.
Last year, a fictional account of her life was released in the form of the French film MARGUERITE, but now courtesy of director Stephen Frears (HIGH FIDELITY, THE QUEEN, PHILOMENA), Jenkins’ story can be told with the help of the world’s greatest actress, Meryl Streep, playing the kind-hearted and utterly delusional socialite. The film lays out the complex, day-to-day structure of Jenkins’ life (arranged by her husband, played by the affable Hugh Grant) that allowed her to construct a world in which she can play concert halls to cheering audiences.
The film also star Simon Helberg (“The Big Bang Theory,” “Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog”) as her piano accompanist, who is at first concerned that being associated with her will damage his own reputation, and Rebecca Ferguson (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE NATION, “The White Queen”) as Bayfield’s mistress. The film is equal parts hilarious and unexpectedly moving, and it’s difficult not to adore both Streep and Grant in this.
And it just so happens I have many seats for an advance Chicago screening for Ain’t It Cool News readers of FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, this Tuesday, August 2 at 7:30pm, followed by a post-screening Q&A with star Simon Helberg, at a theater in Chicago (the exact location will only be given to the winners). Here’s how to win…
To win, send me an email at FlorenceChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line “A Little Off Key” (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your full Name, if you are bringing a guest (each winner may bring ONE, confirmed guest--if I think you gave your extra ticket to someone trolling for free tickets at the theater, you won't get in), and the answer to the following question: “What is your favorite feature film (not a documentary) about a singer (real or fictional), and why?” I need the film title and a detailed reason for your choice. Keep your responses BRIEF--no more than 75 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). Best answers (as judged by me) win, and you'll hear from me very soon if you won, so check your email over the weekend.
Although this is not an exclusive Ain't It Cool News event, winners’ seats will be reserved until 30 minutes before showtime (meaning 7:00pm). The venue is deliberately overbooked to guarantee a full house for our guest. If you can't arrive by 7:00pm, don't enter this contest. If you show up at the last minute, there is no guarantee that your seats will be good or together. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guests will have to back out of attending or arrive late if you do win, don't enter. If you have a job that might make you late or unable to attend, or an ill/pregnant relative, or a temperamental significant other, or a scratchy throat, do not enter. And the 24-hour-notice-to-cancel rule is done. If you win and don't show up, the Black List is your new best friend.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to Paramount Pictures for giving us this very cool screening and bringing this great guest to Chicago.
