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Member since:03.10.2000
Reviews:231
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If you go down to the budget video section of WH Smiths today, you're in for a big surprise... What kind of surprise? Is it a nasty surprise Neil? Will Jeremy Clarkson be doing a crappy book signing session? Will Vanessa Feltz be modelling swimwear? Err no. Hidden amongst the mass of crap lining the shelves you too can find an occasional gem of a film. Just you calm down fair reader, I'm not talking about Dad's Army The Movie, or Holiday On The Buses (both fine films I'm sure you'll agree), or even the high drama of Over The Top (Ok Neil, ease up on the sarcasm), but something genuinely good. Mrs TheNeil (buyer of shoes, sparkly goods, and 3 for 2 videos offers) skipped merrily round the lounging room displaying her goods (oo-er I mean purchases) and amidst the Anne Diamond workout video and some twaddle with Jet from Gladiators in it (can anyone remember her?) sat Little Voice. Oh come on lady, it'll be pants. "Why?" she bellowed in her demonic thoust-doth-question-me-mortal voice. Because it's ALWAYS on offer and they obviously can't shift them. "Well tough - We're watching it"...and we did
The installation of a simple phone line introduces young pigeon fancier Billy to softly spoken LV. Living with her odious mother Mari, LV sits all day in her room listening to her departed father Frank's record collection while Mari complains, whines, and deludes herself into thinking that she's still attractive. When Mari brings Ray Say (her latest 'love') home, showbiz manager Ray bears witness to LV's amazing singing voice and immediately sets about trying to promote her. The shy and introverted LV tries her best but ultimately finds herself centre stage at Mr Boo's nightclub, and despite a disastrous first show, eventually wows her audience after promising to do a one off show in memory of Frank. Surely now that she's proved that she can do it, she'll carry on? Looks like Ray, Mari, and all of Ray's creditors are about to be disappointed. But what of Billy?
Can he win the heart of fair LV? Will his prize pigeon Duane ever come home? On a night when emotions are reaching volcanic proportions, who knows what will happen.
The back streets of Scarborough provide the less than glamorous backdrop to a surprisingly entertaining film. Very much a British production, this eschews the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and does away with any of the larger than life US film cliche's in favour of a good solid British working class setup. At it's core it's a very simple tale and serves as a window into the desperate world of the lowlife stage producer (Ray Say in this case). It's gritty, working class and very much in the same vein as The Full Monty, sharing the same final feeling of triumph and the 'little man' winning through.
This is a comedy drama film that never skimps on the comedy and is actually very funny. It's working class roots are all too apparent and it's littered with swearing and sex throughout. A bad thing? Not in the slightest, and the timing and situations are hilarious. The awful Mari's desperation for any form of sex, Mr Boo and his pathetic nightclub, Ray and his 'success'. It's all wonderfully disgusting and revolting, and somehow repeals but attracts at the same time. Morbid curiosity? Maybe, but Little Voice is more than just a seedy comedy. The feeling of sweet young love between Billy and Little Voice may not form the core of the film but it's the catalyst that sets the whole thing in motion and adds a new element to the film. No longer is Little Voice just a working class comedy, but it becomes the comedy-drama that it needs to be. The clash of foolish young dreams and sleazy middle aged has beens (and never weres) emphasises the characters more than they ever could had they appeared on their own.
The drama runs throughout but is lightened in the way that only working class people can. A joke here or a swear word there lightens a situation and although it can spoil the mood in many a film, here it enhances the moment. America could never create a film like this as they're always trying to improve on reality - The UK is far more inclined to show things as they actually are, and that's a great plus point as we no longer feel that this is a film but more of a window onto the world - it COULD happen (and probably does). Yes a giant asteroid COULD slam into the Earth, a mutant lizard COULD terrorise the planet, and a family of space travellers COULD get lost, but it's all larger than life and we can't relate to it. Little Voice we can though.
Michael Caine 'slums' it for a change and it's a terrific surprise to find him in a film that is obviously far away from the Hollywood productions that seem to have become his bread and butter. But he's good though. Caine never comes across as the big 'I am' or overshadows anybody. While this may be due to the strength of the rest of the cast (which I'll come back to) Caine seems to be enjoying himself and perhaps the change of pace was appealing to him...it certainly worked on screen. Caine's Ray Say is a truly tragic figure who 'impresses' the nobodies with his air of 'success'. He's funny, manipulative, and is brought to life wonderfully. Ok so he might never say 'blaaaady' or wear awful glasses, but he's terrific none the less. Caine's work with Brenda Blethyn is fabulous and Blethyn's Mari is terrific. A truly repulsive character, Mari is fabulously drawn and becomes the bar-room slag of the north. We've seen characters like that in real life and the caricature is not as far removed from reality as one might imagine. Blethyn has a ball and totters about on her high heels fabulously. Whether it's trying to get amorous with Caine or screeching at Jane Horrocks, Blethyn never allows us to like her for a second and it's all credit to her for putting in such a fabulous performance.
The central role of Laura (or LV as she's better known) falls to the amazingly talented Jane Horrocks. The very antithesis of Blethyn's Mari, LV is quiet, shy and fabulously realised by Horrocks. The fact that she sings all of her own songs (in whatever voice is required) is proudly boasted by the film and after watching it, you'll understand why the creators were so proud of the fact. Her performance is fabulous, encapsulating the put upon quiet apple of her father's eye and the raw anger of many years' pent up anger towards her mother. A little cooky at times but rather than detract from the performance, it merely heightens the distinction between LV and Mari. Ewan McGregor lands the role of Billy but sadly has little to do. Ewan is just as good as ever but appears very briefly and you do feel that he should have been better used in the story. He works well with Horrocks though and their characters have a certain chemistry that makes their attraction genuine.
Although practically mute, Annette Badland is down to Earth as Mari's friend Sadie and becomes the perfect northern housewife - no style, no taste, no job, no chance. The sight of the two of them strutting their funky stuff is repulsively funny but captures the common-ness of it all wonderfully. Finally we come to the much underrated Jim Broadbent. Despite several bad outtings (see The Avengers, The Borrowers etc.) Broadbent is firmly in his Yorkshire element here. His night club owner Mr Boo is the bargain basement Harry Zidler (Moulin Rouge) and Broadbent is wonderfully desperate in the role. His timing is excellent and the scriptwriters grant him several classic lines ("Ray Say there with a song about his showbiz career" following a quick rendition of It's Over, or "The man The Northern Echo once described as 'quite funny'").
A top notch cast, a cracking story jam packed with jokes, and a budget totally a whopping £20 work fabulously together. The pace and direction are great and you never feel that Little Voice is dragging for a moment. The progression of the story is great and although we all pretty much know what's coming, we don't care. OK so it's simple voyeurism at the end of the day, but Little Voice is wonderful. We take a peak into these sad little people's lives, we share their hopes and dreams, and we see them all let success, fame and fortune slip through their fingers. The true winners are those who don't seek the glitz and glamour of showbusiness and that's the uplifting element of the film that'll make you feel all warm and fluffy inside.
I could say that it won't appeal to all and there will be some that curl their noses up at Little Voice, but they shouldn't. It's a down to Earth comedy drama that works in the same way that The Full Monty works. If you like the exploits of the strippers from Sheffield then you should like this and don't be put off by the singing aspect in the slightest. Yes the swearing and sex will naturally exclude younger viewers but that doesn't mean that an older audience can't split their sides at it. No aliens, explosions (well a small fire but that doesn't really count), car chases, or marauding monsters will cause the MTV generation to switch off but it's very much their loss.
I was extremely impressed with Little Voice and In can't help wondering why DO WH Smiths always insist on trying to flog it off really cheaply?
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Gillian Armstrong - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Richard Roxburgh
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Michael Caine was robbed of an Oscar. He gives his finest performance in a decade as ... more
big-talking small-time agent Ray Say, a paunchy, pale life-of-the-party hiding his desperation under gold chains and cool bravura. When he hears the almost magical voi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
World-class stars Michael Caine ('Hannah And Her Sisters'), Brenda Blethyn ('Secrets and ... more
Lies') and Ewan Mc Gregor ('Star Wars: Episode 1', 'Trainspotting') deliver acclaimed performances in an inspirational story about a painfully shy young woman, 'Li...
Michael Caine was robbed of an Oscar. He gives his finest performance in a decade as ... more
big-talking small-time agent Ray Say, a paunchy, pale life-of-the-party hiding his desperation under gold chains and cool bravura. When he hears the almost magical voi...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
World-class stars Michael Caine Brenda Blethyn and Ewan McGregor deliver acclaimed ... more
performances in an inspirational story about a painfully shy young woman 'Little Voice' (Jane Horrocks). A hopeless introvert who can only manage to express herself by...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: A FILM NOT TO BE MISSED! Disadvantages: I cant think of any.
Morning_Becomes_Electra 13.10.2007 (14.10.2007)
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Review of Little Voice (DVD)
![Little Voice [DVD] [1999]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78540383.jpg "Little Voice [DVD] [1999]")
Dec 11th, 2000
(Oct 16th, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
