That occurred to me while watching Stephen Frears' hugely entertaining biopic of "Florence Foster Jenkins," a society matron whose love of classical music compelled her to attempt a late career as an opera singer, even though she had no real talent for it. Meryl Streep - in another of her seemingly effortless bravura performances - plays Florence with both deep humor and compassionate dignity, and Hugh Grant - in a great, revelatory performance (arguably the best male performance of the year) - plays the husband who both encourages Florence in her futile fantasy and protects her from whatever harshness that might suppress that beloved fantasy.
The movie is about a delusional person being enabled by the people around her and I made the connection to Donald Trump whose current quest for presidency is also being nurtured by the people around him. There are obvious differences between Florence and Donald, to be sure, but their delusions are similar, as are the enablers taking care of them.
6 comments:
Clever analog, Joe.
Well, that's certainly true. Only Florence didn't harm anyone and she gave a lot of money to charity, unlike Trump. As for the film, as an opera lover, I found it painful to listen to her singing. ZiggyJane
YOIKS! and I have to ask you . . . Has Hugh Grant ever been a good actor or was he just Hugh Grant? This was after seeing a few moments of "9 months" last night (arghgh). I haven't seen the Streep movie but am longing to.
Kiki! I’ve never paid much attention to Hugh Grant. Thought he was a lightweight and that his real passion was being a playboy. But, gosh, what a performance in “Florence Foster Jenkins.” He’s redefined himself with it, much as Matthew McConaughey did a couple years ago in a series of memorable performances. -J
I always thought Grant a lightweight but quite likeable. He is lovely on chat shows and very, very funny -- and the chat shows show he's really quite bright.
I get the comparison, but Trump is a spoiled boy and Florence was anything but spoiled (indulged maybe but not spoiled) and she was a woman, not a girl. There's a difference.
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