David O'ConnellLittle Voice
September 8th 2008 02:00
Mark Herman’s superb 1998 film about a reclusive, painfully-shy young woman who can sing like Judy Garland is based on a play by Jim Cartwright called The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Herman made this two years after his very successful Brassed Off.
Jane Horrocks is Laura Hoff, known as Little Voice, who never leaves her upstairs bedroom, constantly playing the records her dead father, who she sings for, collected and treasured. She’s constantly yelled at and denigrated by her abusive mother Mari (Brenda Blethyn), a crude and loose old slapper with the mouth of a sailor.
Mari’s only interested in her new date, dodgy talent scout Ray Say (Michael Caine), who happens to hear the stunning vocals of Little Voice one night and instantly detects the sound of golden coins clicking in her perfect notes.
He draws attention to this newly 'discovered' talent through slimy club owner Mr. Boo (Jim Broadbent), and they immediately concoct a grand plan for profiting from LV’s golden tonsils; their first task is to lure her out of the house she never leaves, which takes some convincing.
There’s also a sub-plot involving the introverted pigeon-loving Billy (Ewan McGregor) who comes into contact with LV by chance whilst helping his co-worker put in a new phone line at their house. She’s attracted and intrigued by his shyness too and he gets her to open up and consider the possibility of a life outside of her room again, like she did when a child with her loving father, whose portrait adorns her wall.
It’s obvious Ray and Mr.Boo's greedy plan is all going to go peared-shaped in the end but it’s a hilarious, entertaining train wreck to witness as it rachets its way to the station, crude black humour layered thick all the way.
Caine and Blethyn are both hilarious though Mari’s filthy motor-mouth may wear a bit thin, with her despise for her poor daughter, who she treats like a freak, abusing her psychologically, and has obviously never spent a moment loving - until the prospect of fame and fortune is pointed out to her alcohol and lust-blinded eyes.
Mari is certainly an overtly colourful caricature, but Blethyn plays her to the hilt with a totally uninhibited performance; the same could be said for Caine, in one of his most memorable roles as the harmless but debt-ridden loser Ray. Jim Broadbent as the equally pathetic, mulleted Mr. Boo is hilarious also, and a few other minor characters are colourful creations in their own right.
Jane Horrocks, with her soft, expressive face, is incredible in this defining lead role for her, and amazingly she performed all the songs herself, able to mimic many famous voices as well! She’s no ‘little’ voice at all! (She was also the star of the original play which was directed by none other than Sam Mendes).
For pure entertainment value you can’t beat Little Voice – it’s profane and totally non-PC in a gritty way, never shying away from the grotesquery of these hopeless, but pathetically hopeful, people.
Filmed in the seaside town of Scarborough, Herman gives his actors free reign interpreting Cartwright’s biting and uproarious dialogue and the result is a truly classic modern British film.
Jane Horrocks is Laura Hoff, known as Little Voice, who never leaves her upstairs bedroom, constantly playing the records her dead father, who she sings for, collected and treasured. She’s constantly yelled at and denigrated by her abusive mother Mari (Brenda Blethyn), a crude and loose old slapper with the mouth of a sailor.
Mari’s only interested in her new date, dodgy talent scout Ray Say (Michael Caine), who happens to hear the stunning vocals of Little Voice one night and instantly detects the sound of golden coins clicking in her perfect notes.
He draws attention to this newly 'discovered' talent through slimy club owner Mr. Boo (Jim Broadbent), and they immediately concoct a grand plan for profiting from LV’s golden tonsils; their first task is to lure her out of the house she never leaves, which takes some convincing.
There’s also a sub-plot involving the introverted pigeon-loving Billy (Ewan McGregor) who comes into contact with LV by chance whilst helping his co-worker put in a new phone line at their house. She’s attracted and intrigued by his shyness too and he gets her to open up and consider the possibility of a life outside of her room again, like she did when a child with her loving father, whose portrait adorns her wall.
Ray Say (Michael Caine) tries to talk LV into performing
It’s obvious Ray and Mr.Boo's greedy plan is all going to go peared-shaped in the end but it’s a hilarious, entertaining train wreck to witness as it rachets its way to the station, crude black humour layered thick all the way.
Caine and Blethyn are both hilarious though Mari’s filthy motor-mouth may wear a bit thin, with her despise for her poor daughter, who she treats like a freak, abusing her psychologically, and has obviously never spent a moment loving - until the prospect of fame and fortune is pointed out to her alcohol and lust-blinded eyes.
Mari is certainly an overtly colourful caricature, but Blethyn plays her to the hilt with a totally uninhibited performance; the same could be said for Caine, in one of his most memorable roles as the harmless but debt-ridden loser Ray. Jim Broadbent as the equally pathetic, mulleted Mr. Boo is hilarious also, and a few other minor characters are colourful creations in their own right.
Little Voice performs for the first time
Jane Horrocks, with her soft, expressive face, is incredible in this defining lead role for her, and amazingly she performed all the songs herself, able to mimic many famous voices as well! She’s no ‘little’ voice at all! (She was also the star of the original play which was directed by none other than Sam Mendes).
For pure entertainment value you can’t beat Little Voice – it’s profane and totally non-PC in a gritty way, never shying away from the grotesquery of these hopeless, but pathetically hopeful, people.
Filmed in the seaside town of Scarborough, Herman gives his actors free reign interpreting Cartwright’s biting and uproarious dialogue and the result is a truly classic modern British film.
Brenda Blethyn as the very loud Mari
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Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
I must admit I had forgotten about this film, and the admission makes me feel guilty, like forgetting something good and true. For that's what this film is, and I thank you for bringing back the memory of a magical show. Now, before I forget again, I must go buy it!
Regards,
Chris
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
When I got to the end and saw the picture of the mother, she looked exactly like I had been imagining her while reading the post!
Michaelie
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Tracy
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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Movie Train
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Thankyou for the kind words, I'm thinking of buying it myself too! And after putting off watching it for the first time for so long - I think I always had a vague impression of it as a PG-rated, much less gritty film but really loved having my expectations surpassed in every way. It's a brilliant film and one I'd love to watch again very soon I think.
Cib and Michaelie, I hope you get to see it soon, it's definitely worth a look if you're a fan of Caine especially. It's made me curious about more of Jane Horrocks' work too.
Thanks Sara, Tracy and Morgan, it's great to find some more fans of this one, it's a wonderful mix of very British humour and pathos, I loved every minute of it.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A surprising little gem, well acted and scripted with some great scenes.