Florence Foster Jenkins

A heart-warming tribute to the wealthy American socialite who desperately wanted an operatic soprano career but couldn't sing a note, this fascinating biopic is a compelling rumination on the powers of self-delusion and devotion. Stephen Frears (Philomena) strikes just the right balance between humour and pathos, with Meryl Streep triumphant as the daydream diva who infamously hired Carnegie Hall in 1944 to showcase her "talent" after performing mainly for friends in private. Hugh Grant also gives one of his best performances as Jenkins's complicated common-law husband, who stops at nothing to keep intrigued critics away to guarantee his wife isn't turned into a laughing stock. And Simon Helberg is spot-on as her camp pianist, whose journey through professional embarrassment to hopeless loyalty follows the same poignant path the viewer is put upon. Simultaneously cringe-worthy, uplifting and sobering, this captivating look at the coloratura curiosity is hugely entertaining and masterfully moving.