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Plot

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 (Jane 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.
MPAA Rating:
R for language and brief nudity.
Genre(s):
Foreign
Run Time:
96min.
Theatrical Release Date:
12/04/1998
DVD Release Date:
07/13/1999
Distributor(s):
Miramax
Director(s):
Mark Herman
Starring:
Brenda Blethyn , Jane Horrocks , Michael Caine , Jim Broadbent , Ewan McGregor
Themes:
Fathers and Daughters,Eccentric Families,Social Climbing,Mothers and Daughters,Rise and Fall Stories
Tone:
Heartwarming,Melancholy,Affectionate,Bittersweet,Humorous,Wry,Whimsical,Wistful,Compassionate,Quirky
Keywords:
agent [representative],daughter,mother,performer,shyness,singer,talent
Country of Origin:
USA (12-04-1998)
Language:
English