Meryl Streep has embraced musical roles throughout her career, but her latest film role does little to show off her singing ability. Paramount Pictures today released the trailer for “Florence Foster Jenkins,” an upcoming comedic biopic featuring Streep in the titular role.
Jenkins was a Manhattan socialite and operatic singer who was ridiculed for her poor pitch and lack of rhythm and intonation in the early 1900s. Despite those shortcomings, Jenkins was considered an entertaining performer and often donned elaborate costumes onstage. She continued to perform throughout New York until her final — and first — performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944, a month before her death.
Needless to say after watching the trailer, the film is unlikely to release an accompanying soundtrack. “Florence Foster Jenkins” had its world premiere in London on April 12, and will be released in England on May 6 and on Aug. 12 in the U.S. The Stephen Frears-directed film also stars Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg and Nina Arianda.
Streep starred in last summer’s “Ricki and the Flash” as an aging rock singer.