Paramount has released the first Florence Foster Jenkins trailer online. The film is based on the true story of the “legendary New York heiress and socialite (Meryl Streep) who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer.” There was just one problem: Ms. Jenkins’ singing voice was terrible. However, the story has a sweet center because her “’husband’ and manager, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth.” The conflict comes when Jenkins decides to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall.

Judging by the trailer for the film, this looks like it could be a nice, sweet dramedy that will provide a bit of a palette cleanser to the blockbuster season. It doesn’t look “serious” enough for Oscar season, but then again, neither was director Stephen Frears’ previous film, Philomena, and that went on to get nominated for Best Picture. I don’t know if Florence Foster Jenkins will be Oscar-worthy, but it certainly looks like it will be a pleasant time at the movies.


Check out the Florence Foster Jenkins trailer below. The film opens August 12th and also stars Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Nina Arianda.

Here’s the official synopsis for Florence Foster Jenkins:

Set in 1940s New York, Florence Foster Jenkins is the true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite (Meryl Streep) who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful. Her "husband" and manager, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh 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, St. Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge.

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