Streep sounds right note in ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’

What It’s About: It would be easy to simply ridicule Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite who believed with her whole heart that she was a songbird — and had the money to fulfill her dreams. But in reality, she was awful.

In "Florence Foster Jenkins," the movie version of the peculiar heiress’ passionate desire to sing and record, Meryl Streep digs in deeper than just brilliantly delivering painfully bad off-key renditions of opera selections.

She tenderly brings to life a fully dimensional woman who was more complex than we realize at first.

And for that reason alone, the movie is fascinating entertainment. But there are more pleasures than observing a lavish high society lifestyle in Manhattan in the 1940s.

The charms of Hugh Grant as Florence’s husband and manager, St. Clair Bayfield, and Simon Helberg, as her loyal accompanist Cosme McMoon, elevate the film as well.

Performances: The joys of watching this trio interact can’t be understated. Streep immersed herself into this woman's world, using a range of emotions to convey the sad, sensitive undertone underneath the cheerful demeanor.

It’s a pleasure to see Grant (“Notting Hill”) back to form as a dapper British handler whose fierce protection of Jenkins is unwavering. Their relationship was complicated, and he and Streep make it believable.

Helberg (“The Big Bang Theory”) is delightful as the timid, talented pianist who signs on to Jenkins' stable of handlers. While they all feed her delusions, he understands the motivations and the consequences, and accepts his role as an accomplice. But he also truly cares about his rich, powerful boss.

What Works: Director Stephen Frears (“The Queen”) finds the right mix of comedy and drama to present an authentic portrait of this unconventional woman and the two guiding men in her life.

The smart script by Nicholas Martin (“Big Bad World”) is also touching, providing insight to how one of the worst singers in the world could perform at Carnegie Hall. Oh sure, we laugh, but it’s tempered with feeling.

What Doesn’t Work: You might feel guilty about mocking and scoffing, but don’t.

We're meant to have conflicting emotions during this very interesting and amusing journey.

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Streep sounds right note in ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’."