Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsHeartfelt, well-acted biopic
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2017
As a long time fan of opera, I'd heard a lot of buzz about this movie when it came out, but didn't get a chance to see it in theaters. How fortunate that it showed up in amazon prime! Due to the mixed reviews, I was a bit skeptical as to whether I would enjoy this or not. However, I needn't have worried - it was delightful from start to finish. It should be noted, this is not a straight-up comedy. There are comedic moments, but it's more accurately a drama, lightened by the comedic excellence of Simon Helberg. It's also not a cookie-cutter romance - there's a lot of nuance to Florence and St. Clair's relationship. Streep and Grant portray their characters with depth and emotion. I can't say enough about the chemistry between the two stars, which was intense, tender and yet also incredibly sweet and ultimately touching. I won't give away plot points, you have to watch it and judge for yourself. The film is gradually paced, it's a character study without a lot of action, which has caused some reviewers to criticize the pacing as slow. For my part, I didn't find my attention wandering at all. It's not fast-paced, sacrificing overt action for character study rarely seen in theaters. Even though Florence was self-indulgent and very cosseted by her peers and loved ones, Streep's portrayal is highly sympathetic. One reviewer compared her to Paris Hilton, which seems unfair given the struggles that the real Florence endured through her illness. As for Grant's St. Clair, he was phenomenal. Although his character could have been a one-dimensional cliche, Grant imbued his portrayal with a great deal of heart, clearly conveying St. Clair's genuine affection for Florence. A lovely, touching film without a weak performance in the lot.
