Bit
of a girl's film? Well, yeh. But it still has its moments
for all. Jane Horrocks reprises her stage role (the play was written
specifically for her) as LV, the silent wallflower who turns out to
have the most incredible voice, imitating the classic singers of the
"Easy Listening" era, Shirley Bassey and the like. Ridiculed
by her squawking mother, Mari (Brenda Blethyn) and led by visions of
her dead father, she is "discovered" by local sleazy agent,
Ray Say (Michael Caine) and the exploitation begins. This would be a lot better, I think,
were it not for the screeching of Blethyn. Don't get me wrong-
she plays the part excellently, it's just that after half an hour or
so, your ears beg for a bit of peace. It's a bit OTT. Horrocks
is great as LV, and Caine gives his best performance for a long time.
There are good turns too from Ewan McGregor as Billy, who is obsessed
by LV, and Jim Broadbent as the local club owner, Mr Boo. But
the film really belongs to Horrocks- her singing is quite mind-blowing
at times. This was quite a short film-
shorter than I expected, and I have to say at the end, I wasn't exactly
applauding, but it was entertaining in its own way. Worth a watch once,
though I can't imagine I'll be rushing to watch again anytime soon.
If I was a girl.......... DJY
STORYLINE:
64% ACTING: 70% SPECIAL EFFECTS: n/a CINEMATOGRAPHY: 62%
Overall
: 61%
BEST
QUOTE: Mari Hoff: What's
up with you lots, never had a shag in a Chevy?
Main
Cast List Brenda Blethyn .... Mari
Hoff Jane Horrocks .... Laura
Hoff ('L.V.') Ewan McGregor .... Billy Philip Jackson (II) ....
George Annette Badland .... Sadie Michael Caine .... Ray Say Jim Broadbent .... Mr. Boo Adam Fogerty .... Bouncer James Welh .... Bouncer Karen Gregory (II) ....
Stripper Fred Feast .... Arthur Graham Turner .... LV's
Dad George Olivier .... Pawnbroker Virgil Tracy .... Loan Advisor Dick Van Winkle .... Money
Lender
