Search - Little Voice on DVD

Gigantic talent

Jonathan Appleseed | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.



Jane Horrocks, who played numerous characters in the cult English sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous", shines here as a sorrowfully shy girl with a talent beyond belief.



After her father died, many years ago, she resigned herself to listening to his old records, and singing along with them. She soon became a virtuoso, capable of imitating Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and others. In equally brilliant performances, Michael Caine and Brenda Blethyn (Pride and Prejudice) the former wants to bring LV's talent to the world, certain that great riches are but a step away. Brenda (LV's mom) is at first completely oblivious to her daughters talent, as she is far too egocentric to notice anything or anyone but herself - unless it's a man. In that case, she's quite the player.



There is a somewhat interesting - although perhaps unnecessary - love interest between LV and Billy (Ewan McGregor). It seems to serve as helping LV to open up to the world, but there are so many things/occurrences that can happen to a person that incite change that I'm a little fed up with movies taking the easy way out with a love interest. AND, there was such an occurrence in the film itself. Still, Ewan plays his part well, and while his interest in LV is a bit difficult to understand, it's not entirely unbelievable.



What IS unbelievable is Jane Horrocks's amazing voice. You'd think that the filmmakers would have her lip synch while either a recording of Judy Garland, or someone who could imitate her, was singing. But they didn't need to do so. Horrocks did so herself. She imitated all of the artist's brilliantly, and nearly perfectly.



It was easy to see, after this performance, what a remarkably gifted actress she is. The characters she played on "AbFab" were hysterical and widely variant, though she is best known as the mentally challenged Bubble.

"

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.""