Rating: 
Summary: The best British film of 1998, no questions.
Review: I was highly impressed with Little Voice. It is a film that moved me, made me laugh, and almost made me cry. The acting is simply awesome, especially by the wonderful Jane Horrocks, and the awesome Brenda Blythen. Laura Hoff (Horrocks) is a soft-spoken young woman living in Britian, who gets called Little Voice, for she does not speak often. When Ray (Michael 'Marvellous' Caine) discovers her ability to sing like Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Shirly Bassie, he leads her to showbusiness. But how does L.V. feel? I guarantee you will not be disappointed with Little Voice, it is a heartfelt yet funny comedy that keeps you stuck to your seat. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Lions, Tigers and Bears? Ooooh, Yeah!
Review: An introverted young lady who cherishes her late father and keeps his memory alive through his beloved record collection is at the heart of "Little Voice," directed by Mark Herman. Jane Horrocks gives an amazing performance as Laura, the shy girl with, as it turns out, a very big voice and the uncanny ability to mimic Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe, among others, to perfection. She lives with her mother, Mari (Brenda Blethyn), a vociferous floozy, in an apartment above their small record store. Laura (whom Mari calls "L.V." because of her retiring manner and the fact that she rarely speaks above a whisper), spends an inordinate amount of time retreating from her mother to the sanctuary of her bedroom and her dad's records, where she immerses herself into the music, as well as the persona, of whichever artist she is listening to at the time. For the most part she is ignored by her mother, who also dismisses L.V.'s talent purely out of disregard. Enter Ray Say (Michael Caine), a sleazy, contemptuous, small time theatrical agent, who is picked up and dragged home one night by Mari. It isn't long, of course, before he discovers L.V. When he hears Judy Garland's voice coming from her bedroom, he thinks he's found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; this has The Big Time written all over it. All he has to do now is figure out how to get L.V., the veritable recluse, up in front of an audience. Adapted for the screen by Mark Herman, from Jim Cartwright's play "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" (written originally to showcase Horrock's unique talents), the success of the movie is assured by a cast that delivers quality performances all around. Jane Horrocks does all of her own singing, and when she finally breaks loose it is truly a delight. And Herman must be given credit for not allowing it to be over done; he gives you just enough of L.V. to keep it exciting and leave you wanting more. Michael Caine gives an inspired performance that easily should have won him an Oscar. His Ray Say is so finely shaded that you know exactly who and what he is, yet he manages to overlay him with a smarmy, irresistible charm that keeps him accessible. His rendering of Roy Orbison's "It's Over" is an unforgettable cinematic moment. Brenda Blethyn is outstanding as well, making Mari just unlikable enough that you can still empathize with her when she finally gets her comeuppance. Ewan McGregor adds a subtle charm to the film as Billy, the telephone repairman who finds a kindred spirit in L.V, and Jim Broadbent gives a humorous turn as Mr. Boo, owner of the venue Ray engages for L.V.'s debut. Rounding out the supporting cast are Philip Jackson (George), Annette Badland (Sadie), Fred Feast (Arthur) and Graham Turner (L.V.'s father). Funny, and touching as well, "Little Voice" is solid entertainment well presented. It's one you're going to remember, even after, as Ray Say says, "It's over."
Rating:
Summary: This gives British moviemaking a brilliant reputation!
Review: Ah, this is just fantastic. Not just for Jane Horrocks who gives a mind-blowing performance as LV, an autistic reclusive girl who sings along to her father's old records - and impersonates Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe and Patsy Kline et al . . . brilliantly! Michael Caine, whose movie career was almost destroyed by turkeys such as ON DEADLY GROUND and THE HAND is also superb as a showbiz agent who hears LV singing her heart out and tries all he can to use her to make money for himself, including having an affair with her loud-mouthed, obnoxious mother who makes LV's life hell. When Horrocks is singing on stage, this is the movie's best moment! Ewan McGregor also appears as a telephone engineer who shows a personal interest in LV. This is not the type of movie I normally watch, but when I sat down with my wife to see it, it grabbed my attention and never let me go. But a lot of recent British movies like this one have been well worth seeing. Check out LOVE HONOUR AND OBEY too if you liked this, as its karaoke scenes send up Jane Horrocks's stage acts well! Very hard to fault!
Rating:
Summary: Great piece of art, if you like "simple",yet powerful cinema
Review: As it often happens nowadays, I was under misconception about Little Voice, thanks to the Hollywood advertizing machine. Constant TV promotions gave me the wrong impression that LV was another one of those hilarious British comedies about small-town folk that "make it big" (kinda like "The Full Monty", where the guys "made it big" in their own way). Since I love British films, I rented it. I was surpised to learn that this film is not about "talent", fun, or even music, really... Rather, it is about human relationships of all sorts and shapes. It is a simple story, told in a simple way (read: non-Hollywood way), but it is as powerful as dozen of highly-praised stories/scripts put together could be. It is touching, and, though, I said it is not "really" funny, it makes you laugh thru the tears (mostly, thanks to the character of LV's mother, played wonderfully by ?) and does have that weaked sence of humor that we all love(fans of British cinema). I loved this film, especially the ending. Oh, yes, the actress, who plays Little Voice, actually sang all the musical pieces herself....amazing voice, indeed!
Rating:
Summary: THE WIZARD OF BOOZE or MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY
Review: Director Mark Herman's LITTLE VOICE is a refreshing but cruel comedy set in a small town of Northern England (or is it Scotland ?). L.V. -for little voice- is the only child of Mari Hoff, played by Brenda Blethyn, the widow of a records's salesman. She doesn't talk to anyone and listens all day long to the records her Dad has left. She lives in a dream and sings every evening "a cappella" for her dead Daddy. One day, Ray " Michaël Caine " Say, one of the numerous lovers of LV's mother, discovers her unbelievable voice and wants her for Mr. Boo's saturday night show. That's the beginning of the rise and fall of Little Voice. If you liked Bill Forsyth's LOCAL HERO, you will be happy to find in LITTLE VOICE the same love for unusual characters. Michaël Caine gives here one of his best performances ever and Brenda Blethyn confirms, after Mike Leigh's SECRET AND LIES, that she is a great actress. Jane Horrocks, in the role of LV, also gives a superb performance by imitating perfectly Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Billie Hollyday. LITTLE VOICE can be appreciated for its humor, its subtle variations on Victor Fleming's THE WIZARD OF OZ or for its psychological implications. A very good surprise. A Freudian DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Little Vocie should have won some Oscars!
Review: This is one great film. I was amazed after the first time I watched it! This is by far Michael Caine's best film. Jane Horrocks as LV was incredible! This film was very entertaining and had a good message. Films like this don't come along often enough. Why the Academy Awards did not nominate this film, I just don't know. Caine won the Golden Globe Award for this performance and rightly so! See this!
Rating:
Summary: What can be said?
Review: "Little Voice" is an amazing little film that has to be watched more than once to be truly appreciated. The leads Caine, Blethyn Horrocks and McGregor are all top notch. Wait until you see LV's performance at the club. It will knock your socks off, literally. Well worth seeing again and again!
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing!
Review: How did the Academy Awards miss this rich film? Little Voice is yet another one of those quiet British gems with incredible performances and stunning writing. Jane Horrocks is spellbinding as Laura "L V" Hoff, who, since the death of her father, has been in a world of her own, where the only way she can truly communicate is through impeccable impersonations of the female singers on her father's old records. With the help of LV's mother (the impressive Brenda Blethyn), agent Ray Say, played by Michael Caine, tries to turn her daughter's talent into showbiz fame and fortune. Don't miss this incredible movie!
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE!
Review: I picked this up primarily because I remembered Horrocks' hysterical character "Bubble" in the Britcom "Absolutely Fabulous". And I'm glad I got it: what a great movie! The acting is fabulous (was the Academy asleep when this movie came out?...where are all the awards! ), and the story is interesting (despite what I think is one very minor flaw in the story). But what really blew me away is the accurate dead-on portrayal of what sloth, greed and selfishness do to people. What a revealing and interesting picture of human nature! You can't help but feel sorry for LV when you see what surrounds her. It's well worth renting, and definitely worth buying. This one's a keeper that you'll enjoy owning. Horrock's musical performances are astounding and all songs were sung by her: there's no trick dubbing in this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Magical Charmer Brings Tears
Review: This was such a pleasant surprise, I had to buy a copy for my Mom and my ex-wife! I watched this film with my teenaged son and daughter. We all laughed, cried and re-watched our favorite scenes. My only regret is that I didn't see this in the Theaters when it was out. My only hope now is to catch a "Midnight Movie" of it at a Revival House. Sniff
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