Florence Foster Jenkins Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Florence Foster Jenkins" delivers a proficient and technically sound 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Shot using the Arri Alexa XT, the digital source is impressively clean, free from artifacts or digital anomalies, and carries solid clarity and dimension. The transfer highlights the film’s period-appropriate production design, elaborate costumes, and ornate sets with notable precision. However, it does sport a slightly soft look, seemingly intentional to evoke the 1940s time period and Golden Age Hollywood influences. This choice is supported by a warm color palette that emphasizes bronze hues and pastel primaries with satisfying saturation. Whites are somewhat dim in indoor settings but exhibit bright contrast outdoors, complemented by strong black levels.

Skin tones are presented with a fine level of detail, though they occasionally appear flat and pasty. Despite this minor shortcoming, the texture on skin, including pores and wrinkles, is nicely defined, contributing to an intimate viewing experience. Period costumes and furnishings are well-rendered, down to the finest elements. The image isn't of UHD's caliber, and some limitations of 1080p become apparent, such as light aliasing notably on Cosmè McMoon’s jacket during interview scenes, though these are minor and not overly distracting. The presentation maintains minimal noise and negligible source or encoding flaws, making it a classy and high-end offering from Paramount. Overall, while it’s not razor-sharp, the video quality remains highly pleasing and suitable for showcasing the rich historical aesthetic of the film.

The audio presentation of "Florence Foster Jenkins" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, exhibits impressive musical clarity and a thoroughly engaging auditory experience. Primarily front-heavy, the soundtrack offers well-defined width along the front side, while the surrounds provide a modest yet effective contribution. Musically, the clarity of both instrumental and vocal elements is exceptional, capturing even the most piercing tones of Jenkins’ voice with remarkable precision. Musical details such as crowd laughter and applause are effectively spread, contributing to the immersive atmosphere, particularly in lively scenes like those in chapter nine. Dialogue is consistently clear and naturally prioritized in the center channel, ensuring a seamless listening experience.

The soundstage, while predominantly front-loaded, effectively utilizes its side channels for ambient extensions, spreading effects such as cheering and laughter throughout the listening environment. Directionality is well-crafted with precise placement of key sounds like passing cars. The mix shines particularly during musical numbers with excellent separation and dynamic range, delivering piano pieces and orchestral performances with vibrant fidelity. The LFE performance, although not significantly robust except in musical sequences, contributes additional depth when necessary, as evidenced by well-timed bass impacts during dramatic segments such as roaring thunder.

In conclusion, although the overall sound design tends to be restrained with light street-level atmospherics, the commanding presence of the score and music performances elevates this audio mix. The inclusion of optional subtitles in English, English SDH, and Spanish enhances accessibility. While the mix highlights the film's unique auditory attributes, it effectively balances dialogue clarity and musical fidelity, providing a comprehensive and engaging auditory presentation.

The Blu-ray of "Florence Foster Jenkins" offers a robust collection of extras that enhance the film-watching experience with insightful behind-the-scenes looks and cast interviews. Presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound, the supplements range from featurettes on costume and set design to comprehensive discussions around the film’s script. Notable highlights include an extensive Q&A with Meryl Streep detailing her experience portraying Jenkins, and "Live at Carnegie Hall," which provides a fascinating history of the iconic venue. Despite the deleted scenes adding minimal new content, collectively, the extras provide a thorough and engaging exploration of the filmmaking process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ours Is A Happy World: Cast and crew quickly tell Jenkins' story, set to clips from the film.
• The Music and Songs of Florence: Insights into the film’s musical recreations.
• Designing the Look: Glimpse into costuming and set design.
• From Script to Screen: Discussion on script qualities and success.
• Florence Foster Jenkins World Premiere: Montage of red carpet and interviews.
• Q&A with Meryl Streep: In-depth discussion at Director's Guild Theater.
• Live at Carnegie Hall: History with Gino Francesconi and Donald Collup.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional clips enhancing certain scenes.

"Florence Foster Jenkins" delivers an intriguing blend of humor, heart, and a touch of pathos, documenting the life of its titular character with a deft, nuanced approach. Meryl Streep's portrayal of Florence, a wealthy socialite with delusions of vocal grandeur, is nothing short of transformative. Florence's passion for singing is as sincere as it is misguided, and Streep captures this duality with a performance that toes the line between endearing and comedic. Her intentionally off-key performances highlight her character's lack of talent while ensuring that viewers can still sympathize with Florence's earnest desires. Stephen Frears' direction finds the perfect balance by allowing audiences to laugh at Florence's musical mishaps without slipping into mockery, presenting her eccentricities with a warm-hearted touch.

The film's narrative intricacies also shine through, thanks largely to Hugh Grant's role as St Clair Bayfield, Florence's fiercely dedicated husband. Bayfield's elaborate ruses to shield Florence from harsh criticism come from a place of genuine love and devotion, adding layers to his character that make his questionable choices almost understandable. His relationship with Florence is painted with affection and complexity, showing real human flaws while maintaining an enduring charm. Simon Helberg as Cosmé McMoon, Florence's pianist, adds another dimension to the story, his reactions and growing sympathy for Florence enriching the film’s emotional depth.

Visually, "Florence Foster Jenkins" is a treat, boasting a handsomely crafted 1940s aesthetic that echoes Golden Age Hollywood with its richly detailed period costumes and traditional cinematographic techniques. Frears' adept use of camera movements and editing amplifies emotional beats and provides comedic relief through well-timed reaction shots that capture the gamut of responses to Florence's unique voice. The harmony between technical prowess and engaging storytelling ensures that "Florence Foster Jenkins" isn't just a chuckle-worthy biography but a film teeming with heart and substance.

Stephen Frears’ ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ showcases an intriguing narrative with an engaging mix of humor and heartfelt drama. The film, characterized by its screwball comedy elements, tells the story of Florence, an icon of the 20th century known for her perseverance despite her lack of musical talent. Performances are strong across the board, particularly Meryl Streep's portrayal of Florence, which captures both the humor and tragedy of the character's pursuit of her dream. Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg also deliver commendable support, adding depth to the eccentric world of Florence.

Paramount's Blu-ray release offers an impressive technical presentation. The video transfer is sharp and well-detailed, with a faithful color palette that enhances the period setting of the film. The audio mix is robust, ensuring every note – however off-key – from Florence rings out with clear presence, maintaining both the humor and pathos intended. While the supplementary materials may be limited, the inclusion of several featurettes provides some valuable insights into the making of the film and the real-life story behind it.

In conclusion, ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ is a delightful and uplifting movie that underscores the power of dreams and unyielding determination. The Blu-ray release does justice to this charming film with high-quality video, pristine audio, and a modest but informative collection of bonus content. Whether you are drawn to its historical narrative or its screwball charm, this release delivers a satisfying viewing experience. Recommended.