Little big movie
Danielle Fielder

Based on the stage play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, this movie tells the story of LV (Jane Horrocks), a timid young woman locked in a shell of fear and depression after the death of her father. Confined to the safe haven of her room with her records, her playmates are Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Marilyn Monroe. The only invader to her world is her overbearing, cruel, alcoholic mother, played brilliantly by Brenda Blethyn. LV’s life is disturbed the day her mother brings home Ray (Michael Caine) who stumbles upon LV’s unique talent.

It seems that LV, when faced with the spirit of her dead father, can belt out her favorite tunes in the style of the singer. She can do all the voices, a talent which Ray sees as his one way ticket to success as a talent scout for a seedy club in London. He pretends to date the mother, pulling her into the scheme, and then uses a lowdown trick to coerce LV to sing at the club. For a woman who hardly ever opens her mouth, it is a small wonder that he manages to get her to perform.

The only redeeming figure in LV’s life is Gary, (or maybe it’s Billy), played by Ewan McGregor, looking especially good these days. Really good. I digress. Gary/Billy comes to repair the phones one day, and sees LV who sparks his interest. He is a timid soul as well, who looks after birds in his spare time, (his favorite is named Dwayne) and he tries to form a friendship with her. He becomes a sort of white knight for LV, as he learns of the scheming ways of her mother. They make a good, yet very strange pair.

Although it is a very sad portrait of a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, and of a troubled young woman struggling with deep emotional problems, Little Voice is very enjoyable. It is sad at times, but at others extremely funny, helped along by the wonderful performance of Brenda Blethyn, whose hilarious antics left tears in my eyes. She plays a pathetic figure, who attempts to regain her youth and to find a new husband. As Ray, a man who spends his life savings sending LV to fame, Michael Caine’s performance is equally good, for which he picked up a Golden Globe recently. Jane Horrocks gives a stunning performance as LV, and sings all her own songs in the film. The scene in which she gives her performance with a medley of songs is incredible, as is her singing talent.

While this movie may be easily overlooked, it should not be missed. It has the elements of what I consider to be good film, in which the performances are outstanding, and it is not as happy-go-lucky as one would expect. The soundtrack is also a lot of fun, if only to hear some great old tunes from the likes of Judy Garland and Billie Holiday. Jane Horrocks also lends her voice to the soundtrack, and at first listen, her impressions are so good, you aren’t sure who is singing. In short, go and take a look at Little Voice. It be good.