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Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks, Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Ewan McGregor ... see more see more... , Annette Badland , Philip Jackson , Adam Fogerty , James Welsh , Karen Gregory

Based on Jim Cartright's play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, this screen adaptation directed by Mark Herman is an underdog film about an underdog girl named Little Voice (or LV for short). LV (Jan... read more read more...e Horrocks from Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet who does all her own singing) is a shy, mousy woman living with her mom Mari (Secrets and Lies' Brenda Blethyn). Little Voice doesn't leave her house. Instead she sings along to her record collection of Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe. Her mother Mari, however, is an outspoken woman who is convinced her sex appeal (which is little) will land her a man, especially when she's drunk. One night while bar-hopping, Mari meets the suave yet sleazy talent agent Ray Say (Michael Caine), whom she takes home for a nightcap. There Ray hears the beautiful Little Voice singing a perfect rendition of Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. He's stunned by its beauty and thinks he can make her a star. From there the story heads in complicated, romantic, and sweet-hearted directions that should not be given away. Also starring in this small independent film is Ewan McGregor. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

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67% liked it

12,206 ratings

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81% liked it

37 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Mark Herman

Release Date: December 4, 1998

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DVD Release Date: July 13, 1999

 

Stats: 540 reviews

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Michael Caine in Little Voice Jane Horrocks in Little Voice Brenda Blethyn in Little Voice Brenda Blethyn in Little Voice Brenda Blethyn in Little Voice Michael Caine in Little Voice Little Voice Little Voice Little Voice
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Flixster Reviews (540)

  • FrizzDrop
    May 23, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    Small as the subject, Little Voice is about sensational talents of a timid woman without regard for herself or her life. Maybe that too is insensitive, because the character of Little Voice is always being imposed upon by her mother, played by the hard to understand but phenomena... read morelly talented Brenda Blethyn. The film is anything but understated, forcing mixed metaphors down our throat, all to the tune of a Judy Garland song whaling in the background. It's more than about hidden talent or the forces of the world trying to take advantage of it. It's about love, showing it any way you can, even if it is for the dead, and even if that may be by singing your heart out in their memory. Little Voice sings for her father, and isn't so much encouraged as forced to sing by her mother and her mother's skeevy acquaintance Ray Say, a manager for a shabby nightclub downtown called Mr. Boo's. Besides being a grand idea trapped in the small world of an English village, it's also about the beautiful qualties imbibed within many people who walk past us every day. Little Voice is small, soft spoken, and uninterested in the real world, or trying to get past her saddening situation of isolation and naivete. The antics of her mother are quite hard to watch as she bellows and moans her way into another bout of loneliness. Michael Caine is sensational as always as Ray Say, a contentious man who seduces Little Voice into a one night gig and then takes advantage by selling her outright. Jane Horrocks, who would go on to be a great character actress featured in director Mike Leigh's productions, is a force to be reckoned with, as she straddles the line between temptress and mousy invalid. She blows us away with her stunning singing and spot on impersonations The romantic interest, played in a small role by Ewan McGregor, wasn't a strong influence on the main character, but he was a cute addage, a part of the plot that may not have been needed, but showed insight into what Little Voice really wanted. Certainly watch because of the sensational singing, but stay for the family dysfunction.
  • katykern8261
    May 22, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed (co-wrote) by Mark Herman, Miramax Films, 1998. Starring Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Jane Horrocks.

    Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

    Question: What keeps you weak, afraid to try, or forces you to stay within your own safe bubble? Fear! I know ever... read moreyone is afraid of something. Disappointment, fear of more sadness or the failure that will come again if you decide to go outside your comfort zone, so you stand still because fear has a choke-hold on you. Little Voice shows a young woman whose life's only happiness is listening to the records her father owned because her world ended when he died and so did her ability see beyond her own pain. Fear has paralyzed her.

    I remember seeing this movie when it first came out about 13 years ago or so but really couldn't remember much of it. Yes, that is so unlike me. However, if you follow me and my reviews your jaw is about to drop at my next sentence. I only chose this movie on Netflix instant play because Brenda Blethyn and Michael Caine were listed as the top actors in Little Voice, but when I started it Ewan McGregor's name came up in the opening credits. Instantly I smiled but thought, "How could I forget he was in this movie?" I pushed that thought aside quickly because I was now in my own little bubble - watching a movie - and surprisingly content for the first time in a while. I was able to relax and enjoy this movie all over again.

    Little Voice or LV is a shy, timid girl who hangs out in her attic bedroom room listening to records - not CDs - records of the 1950's and 1960's with artists like Judy Garland, Shirley Bassie and Marilyn Monroe. She shuts out the rest of the world when the music starts but you soon realize she is mainly shutting out her abusive mother played by Brenda Blethyn. You witness this domineering women care nothing about her daughter and for the life of it you can't figure out why. I have my theories and it has to do with disappointment - a powerful emotion that can turn a person cold, selfish and sometimes quick to become angry at those they are supposed to love.

    During a moment of her mother trying again to find happiness in the only way she knows how, a duel of sorts ensues and the power goes out. LV then uses the only other way to find comfort without the records is to sing - and can she sing! This is the point in the movie you discover that her name is all wrong. I would love to tell you more but will let you discover the talent this woman has that was buried deep inside that had to come out.

    Now the best thing about this movie has to be LV and when she sings but you get the feeling something isn't quite right about it all. LV tries desperately to keep her singing to herself in order to cope. However, Michael Caine stars in this film as a low-level talent scout who banks everything on having LV making him a million once he hears her voice. He cunningly convinces LV to perform but there is a consequence to his manipulation. However, that is all I will say about that.

    Should I say anything about my favorite actor? Of course! It makes me happy. He is a quiet fellow in this film who enjoys homing pigeons as a hobby. He meets LV and discovers another shy person and for some inexplicable reason they start a friendship. He cares for her like no one else does, watches over her, and is there when she needs him the most. It was sweet to witness a friendship like that.

    Little Voice is a movie about finding the ability to stand on your own two feet and overcoming a debilitating fear. Some of the scenes were a bit over the top especially with the abusive mother. However, sometimes showing people whose fears have swallowed them up, which in turn causes their reactions towards others to be less than kind can show how the abused person can become paralyzed and seeks refuge alone. It ain't pretty but it made the point well. Fortunately, there was some great music to balance out some of the ugliness.

    This is based on the play "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" which was written for Jane Horrocks and her talent.

    My favorite part: The times when LV sings. Now close your mouth - yes, he was my second favorite but I am biased.

    My least favorite: I am not going to say on this one.

    Rating: R
    Length: 97 minutes

    Review: 6 out of 10
  • 76Majikat
    September 10, 2010
    76Majikat
    The dazzling talents of Jane Horrocks, the wonderful performance from Brenda Blethyn and the sleezy, yet comical role for Michael Caine, make for an entertaining, original idea of a film.

    Talent versus performance for this shrinking violet, who's ambition is every body eles ba... read morer her own.
  • SirPant
    August 5, 2010
    SirPant
    I quite liked Little Voice! Jane Horrocks was pretty amazing in the title role and although Brenda Blethyn usually annoys me, she was well suited to the role. It is Caine however who really steals the show, his suicidal/F**k you song at the end of the film was quite spectacular!
  • purplemegan
    September 26, 2008
    purplemegan
    The actress who played LV was amazing. I hated her mother by the end and I'm glad she finally had it out with her. Ewan McGregor was so adorable.
  • thmtsang
    June 14, 2008
    thmtsang
    Excellent story about a timid girl with an amazing voice. Great cast.
  • webalina
    May 9, 2007
    webalina
    Jane Horrocks is AMAZING as the meek young woman who is able to sing in the voices of her heroes -- Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland. Brenda Blethyn as her braying ass of a mother and Michael Caine as the has-been (or is it never-was) promoter trying to get rich of... read moref Little Voice, known as LV, if he can only get her out of her room. But she'll only sing for one man.
  • mjgildea
    February 13, 2007
    mjgildea
    I know I saw it but I remember thinking it was only okay. Jesus, the 90s were rough...
  • dreamfaeries
    August 25, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    One of my favorites.
  • tard15r06
    June 2, 2011
    tard15r06
    LV is an introverted young woman who finds it difficult to communicate with people. She also has the added problem of a mother, Mari, who only thinks of herself and whichever unfortunate person is her latest gentleman friend.

    But LV has a talent which nobody knows of except f... read moreor her mother - LV has a knack of being able to impersonate legendary singers such as Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland... that is until, Mari's latest fella, local talent scout Ray Say, hears her sing.

    Once Ray hears LV, he decides that he will do anything in his power to make her top of the bill. The questions are will the reluctant LV play ball and will there be consequences that Ray and Mari haven't figured for?


    SPOILERS

    Little Voice is based upon the stage play "The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice" and as somebody who has seen the stage version, this film is a faithful conversion to the big screen.

    Jane Horrocks is fantastic as LV. She embodies the two aspects of the character perfectly - out of her comfort zone, Horrocks is believable as the shrinking violet whilst on stage she has a fantastic voice when impersonating the songstresses required within the film.

    Brenda Blethyn is perfectly cast in the role of LV's mother, Mari Hoff. The character is vicious, shallow, self serving and a slave to her need to think that's she still a hit with the men and Blethyn pulls off the role.

    Michael Caine stars as Ray Say. He takes on the role with gusto as the agent who sees Pound Signs when he hears LV sing for the first time. The character is very much the male equivalent of Mari - equally shallow, vicious and self serving.

    As much as Caine compliments Blethyn, Ewan McGregor compliments Jane Horrocks in the role of Billy, the shy telephone engineer who treats LV as a person and not a nuisance or a commodity.

    Support comes from Annette Badland who portrays Mari's friend Sadie, Philip Jackson as Billy's work colleague George and Jim Broadbent as local club compere Mr Boo.

    With the small main cast, this film has the feel of the stage show that inspired it. A Comedy Drama which has a tinge of the Musical, this is a heartwarming film about a woman who wants to find her own voice and finds it in the most surprising of ways.

View All Little Voice Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
September 23, 2009
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Despite many good scenes of whimsy, humor, and pathos, not to mantion great mimicry of Garland, Dietrich, and others, the movie is trying to do too much and the last reel is weak, contrived and burden... Full Review

Maria Garcia
March 28, 2006
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International

Little Voice is based on Jim Cartwright's play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which premiered in 1992 at the National Theatre in London. Full Review

James Sanford
July 3, 2003
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

has the same semi-whimsical and semi-earthy tone as director Mark Herman's 'Brassed Off.' The last quarter of the story, however, seems strangely out of sync with the mostly bubbly set-up. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
April 29, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Rises to... delirious heights with Horrocks' performance. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 3, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A well-realized drama about a closed-off young woman who learns to get in touch with her inner voice. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

A mild and entertaining comedy. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
July 9, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

It's very moving, even when it is moving a little slowly.

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Caine and especially Blethyn are a hoot, exuding the right mix of sleaze, sexuality, selfishness, and even sympathy, Full Review

David N. Butterworth
January 1, 2000
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Sometimes talent emerges from the crummiest of places. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

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