Little Voice

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 . — Arthur Borman