Movies

A slightly twisted film about a brutally shy young lady (LV), an overbearing cliche come to life mother, a slime ball agent and (of course) a slightly odd, yet kind hero(?) figure played by none other than Ewen McGregor, Little Voice is well worth the rental fee.This movie is absurd, dark, funny, dramatic and at times heart wrenching. A little compassion will get you a long way towards enjoying it. The roles are played very well by talented actors, engrossing you in their turbulent little world.If you like your films off the wall, this is the movie for you. If you prefer only mainstream Hollywood stuff, stay away!

Mark Herman's follow-up to 'Brassed Off' is another affectionate look at working class English life, although without that film's heart and anger. Instead, it's largely an opportunity for a gallery of British acting talent to enjoy themselves, with Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn all outrageous in their roles. Surprisingly, Jane Horrocks, the ostensible star, has a smaller role than might have been expected, although it's hard to think of anyone else who could have pulled off the part. 'Little Voice' is not entirely coherent, a fairy tale without the ending, but it is wholly distinctive and in places very funny. One of a kind.

***There are spoilers in this review***Here in the U.S. we don't see much of Jane Horrocks except in Absolutely Fabulous reruns, and that's a shame because she has an amazing voice. She is perfectly cast as LV (Little Voice) in this film about a hermetic wallflower living on the memories of her doting, late father while suffering the cruelty of her mother's over-the-top white-trash histrionics (Brenda Blethyn, in a fantastic performance). Michael Caine, playing an oily, run-down nightclub promoter, smells money when he hears LV's heartbreaking singing. Caine is simply perfect in the role. One might call this a Pygmalion of sorts, not because LV goes on to fame and fortune as one might expect, but because she finally breaks free from her mother's suffocating presence and meets a handsome local man (Ewan McGregor). This is wonderful entertainment. I highly recommend this film.