In 1944, Florence Foster Jenkins is a New York City socialite heiress who founded the Verdi Club to celebrate her love of music. St. Clair Bayfield, a British Shakespearean actor, is her manager and long-time companion. Florence lives in a grand hotel suite, while Bayfield lives in an apartment with his mistress, Kathleen Weatherley. Florence suffers from long-term syphilis, contracted from her first husband.
Florence decides to resume singing lessons after she sees Lily Pons in concert with Bayfield. She hires pianist Cosmé McMoon, who is shocked by her terrible singing, but Bayfield and vocal coach Carlo Edwards, the assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, pretend she is wonderful. Bayfield warns McMoon of dire consequences if he criticizes her.
Bayfield arranges a small recital, handpicking the attendees. Loyal Verdi Club members watch respectfully, but others barely contain their laughter. Encouraged by her good reviews, she arranges to make a recording at Melotone as a Christmas gift for members of the Verdi Club. Florence gives McMoon a copy and recalls her history as a piano player and teacher. McMoon realizes that Florence is not as musically inept as he had thought.
Florence informs Bayfield that she has booked Carnegie Hall for a performance and will give away a thousand tickets to soldiers. Despite Bayfield’s efforts to dissuade her, the concert is packed and attended by celebrities. When Florence begins singing, the soldiers laugh and shout. Her supporters and friends, however, scold them and cheer for her to keep singing. She continues her performance.
As Florence hears about a damning review written by a New York Post columnist, she collapses and becomes severely ill. As she is dying in bed, Florence imagines herself singing beautiful opera and takes a bow with McMoon and Bayfield to a standing ovation. She tells Bayfield that though people may say she could not sing, no one can say she did not sing.
Experience the heartfelt journey of Florence Foster Jenkins in the full movie. Witness her passion for music, her unwavering dedication, and the power of belief in one’s dreams. Watch “Florence Foster Jenkins” now and be inspired by her remarkable story of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.