Search - Little Voice on DVD

Lions, Tigers and Bears? Ooooh, Yeah!

Reviewer | 05/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An introverted young lady who cherishes her late father and keeps his memory alive through his beloved record collection is at the heart of "Little Voice," directed by Mark Herman. Jane Horrocks gives an amazing performance as Laura, the shy girl with, as it turns out, a very big voice and the uncanny ability to mimic Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe, among others, to perfection. She lives with her mother, Mari (Brenda Blethyn), a vociferous floozy, in an apartment above their small record store. Laura (whom Mari calls "L.V." because of her retiring manner and the fact that she rarely speaks above a whisper), spends an inordinate amount of time retreating from her mother to the sanctuary of her bedroom and her dad's records, where she immerses herself into the music, as well as the persona, of whichever artist she is listening to at the time. For the most part she is ignored by her mother, who also dismisses L.V.'s talent purely out of disregard. Enter Ray Say (Michael Caine), a sleazy, contemptuous, small time theatrical agent, who is picked up and dragged home one night by Mari. It isn't long, of course, before he discovers L.V. When he hears Judy Garland's voice coming from her bedroom, he thinks he's found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; this has The Big Time written all over it. All he has to do now is figure out how to get L.V., the veritable recluse, up in front of an audience. Adapted for the screen by Mark Herman, from Jim Cartwright's play "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" (written originally to showcase Horrock's unique talents), the success of the movie is assured by a cast that delivers quality performances all around. Jane Horrocks does all of her own singing, and when she finally breaks loose it is truly a delight. And Herman must be given credit for not allowing it to be over done; he gives you just enough of L.V. to keep it exciting and leave you wanting more. Michael Caine gives an inspired performance that easily should have won him an Oscar. His Ray Say is so finely shaded that you know exactly who and what he is, yet he manages to overlay him with a smarmy, irresistible charm that keeps him accessible. His rendering of Roy Orbison's "It's Over" is an unforgettable cinematic moment. Brenda Blethyn is outstanding as well, making Mari just unlikable enough that you can still empathize with her when she finally gets her comeuppance. Ewan McGregor adds a subtle charm to the film as Billy, the telephone repairman who finds a kindred spirit in L.V, and Jim Broadbent gives a humorous turn as Mr. Boo, owner of the venue Ray engages for L.V.'s debut. Rounding out the supporting cast are Philip Jackson (George), Annette Badland (Sadie), Fred Feast (Arthur) and Graham Turner (L.V.'s father). Funny, and touching as well, "Little Voice" is solid entertainment well presented. It's one you're going to remember, even after, as Ray Say says, "It's over.""