Review of Little Voice (1998) by Kyle B — 12 May 2014

Jane Horrocks is a genius at mimicry. In the small British movie "Little Voice," she does impersonations of varied singers such as Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland, among others, that is simply uncanny.

Its based on the stage play "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" that was written specifically for Horrocks's talents. She plays a pathologically shy woman named Laura, known as Little Voice, or LV for short, who barely utters a word and is only able to express herself through music.

Her father is deceased and her mother (Brenda Blethyn) is an overbearing lout who is usually drunken and fornicating. In order to escape her unhappiness, LV hides in her upstairs bedroom endlessly listening to her father's records.

When a promoter (Michael Caine) hears LV sing he wants to put her on stage. After much prodding, LV performs in front of a live audience. It is while singing onstage that LV fully comes to life. The petite Horrocks is a magnificent performer perfectly capturing the physicality and gestures of each singer while delivering note perfect songs with no lip synching.

She has such energy in the musical numbers that we wish there were more of them and the filmmakers would quit cutting away from her. Horrocks is equally compelling at conveying LV's timidity. Its an astonishing performance that touches us deeply.

Michael Caine gives one of his best recent performances as a showman who manipulates those around him for personal gain. He has a moment that is heartbreaking when he sings Roy Orbison's "It's Over" and all of his resentment comes out.

Brenda Blethyn fares worse in an over-the-top, affected performance as the impertinent mother. Ewan McGregor is quietly effective in an underwritten role as LV's love interest. Director Mark Herman tries too hard to make a cinematic play.

The showbiz angle and LV's home life are haphazardly presented as is the love story. With Jim Broadbent, Philip Jackson, Annette Badland. Songs performed by Horrocks include: "Over the Rainbow," "Big Spender," "Chicago," "I Wanna Be Loved by You," and "Get Happy.

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