Little Voice may not have a highly original screenplay, but the stellar, unpredictable performances of Jane Horrocks and Brenda Blethyn catapult this film right into the realm of superior movie viewing. Horrocks is better known for her role as Bubble on Absolutely Fabulous, and her bumbling, erratic persona on that series is little preparation for her moving and triumphant work as the shy, introverted title character. Brenda Blethyn's performance is full of fire and earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her efforts. Little Voice is a rich, rewarding work that could have easily veered off into many unsatisfying directions; luckily, director Mark Herman kept it on track. Herman directed this film directly on the heels of Brassing Off, another British film about musicians.