As a mimic, Jane Horrocks is without peer. Her vocal impersonations of Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey, and other singers are eerily real.
So, surely she deserved a better showcase than "Little Voice."
This disappointing adaptation of Jim Cartwright's hit play, "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" (which also starred Horrocks), is predictable and shallow. Something precious has been lost in the translation from the stage to the big screen.
Of course, that could have something to do with director Mark Herman ("Brassed Off") completely lacking subtlety, something the movie could have used.
Instead, Herman plays things at such a frantic pace that it becomes shrill. And as good as her singing is, Horrocks' dramatic performance is pretty one-note (and her meek mewling doesn't help).
Horrocks (from the British television series "Absolutely Fabulous") plays the title character, a shy twentysomething who spends most of her time in her room. There, she listens to her classic record collection and mourns the death of her beloved father (Graham Turner).
That's a real sore spot between LV and her boozy mother, Mari (Brenda Blethyn), who spends most of her time at the local pub.
Both are changed, however, by new men who come into their lives. While Mari latches on to slimy talent agent Ray Say (Michael Caine), Little Voice is wooed by Bill (Ewan McGregor), a socially awkward telephone repairman.
However, Ray takes a professional interest in Little Voice when he hears her mimicking Judy Garland. He and Mari force the reluctant girl to perform in front of an audience, hoping she can provide them with a ticket out of poverty.
To be fair, the film is not without its moments. As mentioned, Horrocks' singing work is excellent, and she almost makes the whole thing worthwhile. And British character actor Jim Broadbent nearly steals the show as the host of the club where Little Voice performs.
But Herman doesn't use either of their performances well, and he wastes McGregor by giving him so little to do. Also, Caine and Blethyn's hammy performances only underscore the material's inadequacies.
"Little Voice" is rated PG-13 for profanity, use of vulgar slang and some off-color humor, simulated sex, violent thrashing and some fisticuffs, and brief female nudity (in the obligatory stripclub scene).