As me and my friend Carley walked back to Leicester Square tube station after the special preview screening of The Voices a few weeks ago, we kept joking it was going to be interesting writing the review, the invite said a black comedy with dark humor, my cup of tea, however it was soon apparent that this was no ordinary film and I spent most of the 103 minutes trying to keep up with the story and also at just how crazy and surreal the whole film was.
Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is an affable singleton who works on the factory floor at a bathtub factory – let the record show that I want a Pink Milton , ever eager to get along with his co-workers, especially Fiona (Gemma Arterton) and Lisa (Anna Kendrick) from accounts. After work Jerry goes home to his pet cat, Mr. Whiskers, and loyal dog Bosco, where the three of them hang out, watch TV and discuss the day’s events. When one night he accidentally kills Fiona, Jerry hastily covers his tracks, under the strict advice of the subversive Mr. Whiskers. But Jerry is already beyond the reach of his well-meaning psychiatrist Dr. Warren (Jacki Weaver) and things are also looking bad for Lisa, who has taken a shine to Jerry. Despite Bosco trying to keep Jerry on the straight and narrow, Mr. Whiskers seems to be the loudest voice in Jerry’s head and soon events have spiraled and salvation is all Jerry can hope for.
The film is in no way for the faint hearted what with decapitated heads in the fridge chatting away, but it also has ridiculously funny comedy – all I’m going to say is I NEED my very own Milton’s pink overalls. For me the what I enjoyed most is seeing just how different Ryan Reynolds is from his acting style right through to how he carries himself, there’s not a hint of romcom here.
The film will have you scratching your head and questioning your morals (Ok I admit I probably laughed at Mr Whiskers a bit too much) not to mention giving every creepy guy who’s ever had a seemingly innocent crush on you side eyes and a wide birth.
The Voices is oh so weird in more ways than I thought possible for a film but weird in a very good way, it all comes together in an altered reality that isn’t that out there which is probably what people find most disturbing… Oh and don’t even think about leaving before the credits otherwise you’ll miss out on the ‘Happy Song’.
The Voices is in selected cinemas nationwide now.
