Little Voice (1998)

Great Film overall

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Such an incredible movie.LV (Jane Horrocks) is probably on the autism spectrum, a young woman who practically lives in her room listening to old records. From the front of the building, we can see her father owned a record shop. He is deceased, and his photo hangs on her wall. At night sometimes she puts on one of her records and sings to his photo. Her favorites are his - Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, and Marilyn Monroe. And it seems she can impersonate all of them.Part of the reason LV (LV stands for Little Voice) stays in her room with the sound cranked up is to blot out her loud mother Mari (Brenda Blethyn), a woman who spends all of her time dressing cheaply and going to the local bar. When the telephone is put in at their house, LV meets Billy, the main telephone man's assistant. Billy is shy and devoted to his homing pigeons, and he takes a shine to LV, even coming back to visit her later.One night Mari picks up Ray Say, an agent for burlesque acts. He hears LV singing and realizes she has a phenomenal voice - something apparently her self-absorbed mother never noticed. Ray thinks he can make her a star. Her first attempt doesn't work out due to her shyness but he talks her into trying again. He bets everything on her, selling his meager possessions and setting her up in a show at his friend Boo's (Jim Broadbent) club. LV knocks 'em dead after seeing her father's ghost in the audience. But then Ray wants her to perform again the next night, and he invites a big agent. This starts off as a somewhat light film, in spite of the fact that LV's mother is such a horrible human being. However, the film turns into something else, terrifying and uplifting at the same time.I can't say enough about the performances. Jane Horrocks is best known for being the secretary on AbFab - she is such a wonderful actress, singer, and impersonator, she'll knock your socks off. Michael Caine reminded me a bit of Olivier in "The Entertainer" - third rate, seedy, but with plenty of anger and emotion inside. Brenda Blethyn - well, she's fantastic - a beautiful woman who can look and act like a total slut, be a sweet, lovely woman, or the tough detective Vera. Here, with her short skirts, booze, and cigarettes, she creates an unforgettable character.Ewan McGregor is adorable, so much like LV - a loner with an obsessive hobby, badly treated by his boss just as LV is by her mother. You root for them the whole time and long for both of them to be free, like Billy's birds.A very, very powerful ending - don't miss this.

I was surprised at how much I liked Little Voice. It looks beautiful, with the photography striking and the scenery, lighting, costumes and locations equally so. The script has its funny and touching moments, and I liked how the story had sweet and subtle Cinderella-like undertones. The pace is also just fine, and Herman's direction compliments the film's strengths very well.In fact, my only complaints with Little Voice are its length, I feel it is too short, and sometimes in the film the working-class life is depicted a little too crudely.The acting is the film's biggest pro. Jane Horrocks is simply brilliant in the lead role, and she gets fantastic support from Brenda Blethyn, Jim Broadbent and especially Michael Caine. Ewan McGregor is also very good and charming.In conclusion, an impressive little film made especially watchable by the big talent on show. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"Little Voice" is worth seeing alone for Jane Horrocks' knock-your-socks-off performance.She plays LV, a painfully awkward and shy woman domineered by her blowsy broad of a mother (Brenda Blethyn). The only time she's able to break out of her shell is when she does impersonations of famous singers (like Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland), and when she does, stand back, because she (and by extension Ms. Horrocks) is a whirlwind of energy. Michael Caine plays a sleazy agent who's equally impressed and sees an opportunity to capitalize on LV's talent.Ms. Horrocks is a revelation, but only if you don't know that the movie was inspired in the first place by a live routine she was already known for doing. Blethyn received an Oscar nomination for her performance, but it's a shame the Academy couldn't find room to nominate Horrocks, as she's by far the most deserving member of the film's ensemble.Grade: A-

I thought that "Little Voice" was one of the most fascinating movies of 1998. Obviously, the idea of someone overcoming obstacles is a common theme in movies, but the strong performances here easily keep this one afloat (but hey, when does Brenda Blethyn give a weak performance?). Jane Horrocks (happy birthday, Jane!) plays the title character, a soft-spoken, timid young woman still living with her mother (Blethyn). But when an agent (Michael Caine) discovers that she has a great singing voice, he intends to help her make something of herself...no matter what has to happen in the process.It's the sort of movie that - without getting sugary - makes you feel as though you've just flown through paradise. They got everything right in laying the flick out; and besides, how often do we get to hear the "Goldfinger" theme song? Anyway, I definitely recommend it. Also starring Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent.