13 Awesome 2016 Movies Everyone Thought Would Suck

2. Florence Foster Jenkins

Florence Foster Jenkins.jpg
Paramount Pictures

Why It Should've Sucked: Meryl Streep plays a legendarily awful singer in her latest bid for another Oscar. Nothing to see here, especially with absurdly inconsistent director Stephen Frears (The Queen, Lay the Favourite) at the helm.

Why It Was Awesome: This could so easily have been a mean-spirited movie that laughed at a rich old woman pouring her heart out even though she had no natural talent, yet the combination of Streep's magnificent performance and Frears' sensitive direction makes this a pleasantly humanistic, even emotional character piece.

Hugh Grant also gives one of his strongest performances as Jenkins' husband, and while it probably won't win Streep another Oscar, it's still another riveting addition to her splendid filmography.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.