Some Voices (2000) User Reviews (14)

Taxi Driver meets the Naked Chef

[frankiehudson · 8/10 · 3 December 2002]

I only saw the last hour of this film but it is an excellent insight into mental illness, as well as the urban jungle of London (west London and Acton/Shepherds Bush, in particular).

Daniel Craig is brilliant (never heard of him before) as the mixed up man who visits and stays with his brother and frequents his quaint little bistro in the high street.

Lots of Godard-style jump cuts and freeze-frames, presumably to mimic the mind of a schizophrenic, accompanied by a fine soundtrack. Another great little motif is having all the characters live or work next to very busy thoroughfares - Ray's brother (Peter Macdonald) of course lives on the third floor at the same level as the flyover about 50 feet away, with constant motion and noise.

The film even features cooking lessons at the end, as Ray is quietly rehabilitated, ironically set and filmed in the hinterland of Jamie Oliver, the original 'naked chef' on BBC tv who is always shown at some point traversing these same streets on his Italian moped (always wearing a crash helmet, of course!). Daniel Craig is more authentic as he's seen naked in the street during a crisis.

The film's quite emotional, too, especially the kitchen arson scene where Dave is visibly concerned.

'James Bond' Daniel Craig as a young recovering schizophrenic? Yes, why not!

[paolo_bf · 7/10 · 27 October 2007]

Daniel Craig seems reasonably suitable for the role, good also the chemistry with his on screen girlfriend Kelly MacDonald, absolutely adorable as the wee Scottish lass romantic interest! The movie has a rather poetic quality, the poetry of everyday life, and a fairly good insight into the little important things which constitute our existence, more than into that mythical and mysterious condition: schizophrenia. When the movie approaches this ground the stereotypes start to pile up mercilessly, but then again the movie is still a cut above a lot of other films which have in the past tried to deal with this subject. Cue the almost Nouvelle Vague romantic feel of the Hastings day out scenes, on the beach and in the hotel, Kelly MacDonald swimming in the huge sea-of-white bed to the tunes of a French song. Intriguing and fascinating the London backdrop: a moody sky, a crowded street, evening falling outside, inside a room, in front of a window.

Beautiful story of mental illness and love

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 8/10 · 6 January 2019]

I've watched two films tonight back to back; Ken Loach's Ladybird Ladybird and now Some voices. What a double bill and compelling evidence that British film is wonderful. Daniel Craig is Ray, recently released from a psychiatric hospital. He meets the lovely Glaswegian girl Laura (Kelly Macdonald) and is so happy he thinks he no longer needs his medication. His brother (Scouser David Morrissey with a very strange and to be honest sometimes offputting Southern accent) looks after him through thick and thin. Blood is thicker than water and all that. A beautiful story of love and humanity against the backdrop of mental illness. A moving 8 out of ten

A disturbing and rewarding film, but don't expect any belly laughs or easy answers.

[benwalsh29 · 29 June 2000]

Some Voices centres on Ray (Craig) and his release from a psychiatric hospital. His rehabilation starts fairly well, with Ray working for his protective brother Pete (Morrissey) in a restaurant. However, when Ray falls head over heels in love with Laura (McDonald), a wild Scottish girl, and stops taking his medication, matters spiral out of control. Directorial debutant Simon Cellan Jones has effectively captured the colour (mostly grimy) and energy of Shepherds Bush. However, this is an actors piece and as such Craig and McDonald shine. Especially, McDonald who brings a natural warmth to a difficult role. Ultimately, both a disturbing and rewarding film, but don't expect any belly laughs or easy answers.

Very moving

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 7 January 2021]

A treat. Daniel Craig is outstanding and the whole production and storyline is very well crafted.

Fairly realistic depiction of mental health issues.

[torrascotia · 6/10 · 8 May 2021]

I picked this to watch after checking the trailer on prime. I was drawn to watch this based on the cast which is impressive for what would have been a lowish budget UK production.

The trailer does give a false impression however, the tone of this is mainly upbeat with some periods of drama.

What marks this out as something potentially special is that this is a story about how an individual with mental health issues affects the lives of those around them.

Usually this is a minor concern as the focus tends to be on the suffering of the person with the illness. Families tend to be ignored.

It's a fairly straightforward and realistic story about a man leaving a psychiatric hospital and struggling to cope with a job and relationship.

Everything is fine until he decides to stop using his medication, which is a very common problem with psychotic disorders, due to the side effects. The only real complaint about this in terms of realism is that Daniel Craig looks far too healthy and normal for the majority of the film.

I think many people will have missed this when it was released, however on the strength of the cast quite a few will be tempted to watch this slightly unusual love story.

Great script, superb performances

[andrew.richards · 9/10 · 7 October 2000]

This was a film I saw completely "on spec" having not heard of it before. As is often the way, when there are no expectations to be dashed, the experience was entirely worthwhile.

Without giving too much plot away, our hero - or more accurately our anti-hero - is discharged at the start of the film from a psychiatric hospital. He is returned, with a large supply of tablets, to his brother's care within "the community". When he falls for a woman, who reciprocates, life seems better than it has ever been, and he begins to question whether the endless tablets are actually necessary.

This is a film which is above all honest. The performances are truthful and insightful, and the characters are drawn sympathetically but not blandly. We are shown flaws and strengths, and we are invited to observe and empathise but not judge. The laughter - and it is not in short supply - comes from the foibles of the characters we are presented with, and as in life, provides a welcome relief from the more tragic elements.

As the film moves towards its conclusion - via a 10 minute sequence of genuine breathtaking tension - the answers provided are not easy, and the loose ends are not tied up, yet this acts not to frustrate the viewer but simply to reinforce that this is the genuine article - life has no easy solutions.

I have rated this film as a 9 out of 10; it lacks the perception about the human condition, the wider scope or relevance of, say "American Beauty", but that was never its intention, and it is designed, I suspect, with a smaller audience in mind. It is, however, a beauty in its own right, and I would whole-heartedly recommend it as a thought- provoking way of spending a couple of hours.

Totally gripping!

[hottentot · 10/10 · 13 November 2000]

I saw this film recently, when it was briefly shown at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse. My concentration didn't waver throughout the whole film. For me, the story was told in such a way that it was essentially a truthful one, without needlessly tugging at heartstrings or indulging in gratuitous fun at the expense of the leading character. I work in mental health, so a film such as this one sits better with me than 'Me, Myself & Irene", which, to be fair, I have not seen, and which I know is intended as a comedy. 'Some Voices' has comic touches, but these are humane, and do not detract from the fact that this is the story of a man who wants a life, but finds it hard to accept the conditions that other people seem to be placing on him. I was totally gripped from start to finish, and would urge others to see this film, and also, to enjoy the great soundtrack, which only fades away in a moment of high drama towards the end but otherwise accompanies the action very sensitively,and does not get in the way of it. This film deserves a lot more exposure than I guess its independent status will ensure. Go and see it, or get your local independent cinema to put it on!

A fine British film that I fear not many people will see

[azeemak · 26 August 2000]

This really is a surprisingly good film - it's only just opened, and already the reviews are mixed. To me it's a refreshingly unsentimental and non-sensationalist portrait of schizophrenia. None of the characters is perfect, but none of them are irredeemable either, and there seems to be an underlying optimism about human nature. Despite what the previous reviewer wrote, I actually laughed quite a few times, as well as being moved at other times. The three main performances are all excellent, with Kelly Mcdonald especially good (why isn't this woman more well-known, why oh why??). The other characters are well portrayed too, especially Mandy the waitress. West London looks stunning (just kidding!), the filming and acting are naturalistic, and the music on the soundtrack is effective too. I hope the film makes it to the US.

Funny, charming, touching and with good music

[paulijcalderon · 9/10 · 17 September 2016]

Funny, charming and with good music. The story of two different brothers working in a restaurant. This is one of those movies that's great to catch on TV during a weekend and not knowing what to expect.

It opens very comedic and lighthearted and slowly drifts and becomes more serious and dramatic as the run-time vanishes. I found it to be very touching to be honest. The older brother helping the younger and the younger having his psychological disorder. The acting is very good in this, especially in the second half, but over all it was good.

The romance may put some people off thinking it's clichéd. It may seem, but it goes in different directions and it's all handled very realistically. Either way it's nice to see the troubled main character find happiness after being under treatment for so long. The scenes in the restaurant were fun and I liked the dialogue and the back and forth banter between characters. You could say it's like "Chef" but with a recovering schizophrenic being the one working with the Chef instead of John Leguizamo.

It's an easy watch I'd say. If you wanna see a comedy with some heart and maybe some dramatic moments, then you can lean back and give this a watch. I thought the ending lifted the movie up even more and made the whole thing even better. Well, those are some thoughts or maybe some voices? OK, maybe I shouldn't end on a joke. Either way, check it out if you can.

Wow!

[Majikat76 · 8/10 · 25 July 2019]

What a great little find! Minimal actors, low budget, authentic portrayals of a relatable situation. A brilliant performance by Daniel Craig, my favourite kind before taking on the role that would forever define him.

So much more than just a comedy

[bob the moo · 2 January 2003]

Ray is a schizophrenic who has been released form care back to his brother. He is on his medication and he is fine – enjoying life but wandering a lot. He meets a girl, Laura when she and her boyfriend are having a fight in the street. At first she dislikes him but the more he tries to get to know her the more she gives in to him. The pair go off to Hastings for a while and fall for each other – despite the worries of Ray's brother Dave.

I taped as it was billed as a comedy and I thought I'd give it a go. To call it a comedy is to not even tell half the story. It is funny in many places and has an enjoyable light air to most of it, but it is so much more than just another romantic `boy meets girl' British comedy. It is actually a sensitive look at mental illness through our view of Ray. He is allowed to be a person rather than a stereotype and as a result we care more about the plot but also sympathise with all the characters a lot more.

It hurt me to see Ray struggling when not on his meds. He is a real person and just struggling in this way. In real life I may have been in the street bemused by him rather than interesting in finding out who was behind the illness. Also when Dave is worried about him and feels he can't trust him, we side with Ray and see Ray's point, whereas in real life many of us would have our doubts just like Dave. This doesn't mean it's perfect as the plot has weaknesses. The romance in the centre doesn't always ring true and the climax, although dramatic, is an extreme for dramatic effect, but overall it works.

This is mainly due to a good strong script with real characters as well as good acting all round. Craig is really good as Ray – I never doubted him for a second and his portrayal is never lazy cliché for a second. McDonald's Dave is a less sympathetic figure but well acted and Macdonald's Laura is good once we are over the way she is very easily won over by Ray. The direction is really good and avoids being arty in it's use of images. I don't know what it's like to see things an hear things like Ray is, but here it is brought to the screen as well and as tastefully as could be expected.

Overall this is a comedy and can be enjoyed as such for at least half the film. But more than this the film goes deeper and is a wonderful look at schizophrenia without going into detail but rather giving us a real character and even helping `normal' (read `ignorant') people like me understand what it's like for people like Ray.

Reasonable portrayal of mental health issues

[a-deards · 9/10 · 18 November 2019]

There are elements of depression, PTSD and of course hearing voices in this film which makes it pretty realistic.

Daniel Craig and Kelly Mc Donald are excellent in their roles and work off each other perfectly. There is a great chemistry between them.

The brotherly relationship is also vital to show the support between each other.

Overall a film well acted with a real meaning behind it, hence 9 out of 10

Touching and beautifully portrayed.

[skongmarshall · 9/10 · 1 February 2020]

I love the funny yet realistic portraying Ray who is clever, playful yet always thinking and searching for an answer. He is playful and childlike while vulnerable when is in a confused state. The film shows how normal someone may appear but you never know their anguish and confusion and this film show it so effectively without being patronising. You do feel for Pete who is trying to pull him together and losing his rags at times. His love interest Laura being a tough girl isn't afraid of talking straight to him and love him for who he is.

This would be a perfect film for charities who wants to explain mental health .