"Florence Foster Jenkins" -- A Better Inspiration Story | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

"Florence Foster Jenkins" -- A Better Inspiration Story

"People may say I couldn't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing."

13
"Florence Foster Jenkins" -- A Better Inspiration Story
Dave Allocca

You may have noticed that a new movie with an actual goddess, Meryl Streep, has recently been released. She, as usual, has done no wrong. Hugh Grant was a general dad, and Agnes Stark, an absolute hero. "Big Bang Theory" star Simon Helberg also starred, and was awkward and perfect, as per usual.

Those of you who haven't seen a preview or plot summary can get the quick (spoiler included) version here: Florence Foster Jenkins (Streep) is an American Socialite, characterized by her love of music. Aware of her own mortality, Jenkins decides, with the help of her husband, St Clair Bayfield (Grant) and a recently hired pianist (Helberg), it's time to perform again -- in spite of her complete lack of singing talent. Given her connections, she can afford to only perform for her chosen patrons, but eventually, she decides to do something for the boys in the war. She rents Carnegie Hall, and gives 1,000 tickets away. They come, drunken and prepared for a comedy show.

Agnes Stark, the wife of a music lover, involved in Jenkins' high-society music club, and a seemingly unimportant character. She appears early on in the film, and the instant image correlates to "trashy" all too well. She is a "mocker and scoffer" that Hugh Grant's character so wants to avoid, and proves the image correct, after being granted entry to the first concert Jenkins hosts, and laughing her way out.

In the last concert, when all the drunken soldiers are laughing hysterically at Florence Foster Jenkins as she belts her heart out on stage, Agnes is the first to get up and yell at the crowd to stop cackling and clap for her. Her protests carry above the jeers, and the crowd settles. Agnes' voice is joined by others, and then, the roar changes from hostile to encouraging.

"People may say I couldn't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing."

Florence Foster Jenkins gave her absolute all to something she loved, with complete disregard to anyone who said she could not, simply because she loved it. Her courage was inspiring and life changing for others, demonstrated quite plainly through the changes in Agnes.

No one can say they do not often share this unbridled, unrefined passion for a talent they do not posses. No one I know can pass up a sing-a-long in the car, vocal lessons or not. Very few pass up the chance to dance like no one is watching, especially when no one is watching.

If nothing else, "Florence Foster Jenkins" taught me that it's never a bad time to let that passion shine, and that those who truly love you will always be there to support you. It was also a great reminder of Meryl Streep's perfection. But that's not really the point. Or is it?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

740
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

2059
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2612
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments