Little Voice . Tucson Weekly . 02-08-99

Little Voice

DIRECTED BY: Mark Herman

REVIEWED: 02-08-99

Jane Horrocks, probably best known for her role as Bubbles on Absolutely Fabulous, stars in the filmic version of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, a play written to showcase her talent for imitating the singing voices of such greats as Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey. The character "Little Voice" is a soft-spoken, pastel-wearing introvert who's overshadowed by her tawdry mum Mari (Brenda Blethyn), who shouts some of the best dialog (such as referring to her lover's genitalia as "meat and veg") and wears similarly boisterous outfits. Ray (Michael Caine), Mari's man and a promoter for such class acts as the chubby male strip crew "Take Fat," discovers her musical abilities and attempts to exploit them in a sleazy nightclub. Little Voice resists, supported only by her father's ghost and a pigeon-obsessed telephone repairman (Ewan MacGregor). This simple and satisfying story about discovering the importance of being heard is affectionately directed by Mark Herman, and offers a host of excellent performances.

--Higgins

Full Length Reviews
Little Voice
Little Voice

Capsule Reviews
Little Voice

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