A slightly loopy New York heiress in 1940s New York aspires to a singing career despite the fact that she can’t carry a tune in a bucket. She’s so nice (and so generous), that no one has the heart to clue her in. Stephen Frears (The Grifters, My Beautiful Laundrette, Philomena), however, never hits a false note. Meryl Streep in full grande-dame mode puts in another Oscar-worthy performance, backed up by Hugh Grant’s best work in years. But the film’s most delightful surprise is the hilarious breakout performance by Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory). The fact that it’s a true story adds poignancy.

Japanese title: Madam Florence! (111 min)