What struck me immediately with this film was that it was well beyond your standard horror/comedy. Ryan Reynolds gives one of his best performances in what is one of my favourite films of the year so far. The Voices tells the story of Jerry, a sweet and likeable fellow from the small American town of Milton. Jerry seems innocent enough, but as the film develops his troublesome schizophrenia comes to cause some serious trouble.
Written by Michael R. Perry and directed by Marjane Satrapi, The Voices starts with Jerry in his new job at the Milton Fixture and Faucet’s factory. Early on we can tell he is not quite like his other workers, but is still cheerful and makes efforts to be liked by his new colleagues. There is an office party and his psychiatrist (an early warning bell!), played by Jacki Weaver, encourages him to socialise and make new friends.
Jerry develops a crush on his co-worker Fiona (Anna Kendrick) and asks her on a date. Unfortunately, it is at this point that things take a somewhat sinister turn. Accidently killing her on the way to take her home, we begin to realise that Jerry is incredibly mentally unstable. This is further confirmed when Jerry begins to talk to his two pets at home the sweet and kindly dog Bosco, and the terrifyingly evil cat, Mr. Whiskers (all excellently voiced by Reynolds). These two characters represent the good and evil in Jerry’s head, and where most of people have a clear sense of right and wrong; Jerry’s voices have a much stronger impact on his decisions. Bosco keeps reassuring Jerry that he is a good boy’ as long as he makes the right decisions, whereas Mr. Whiskers plainly tells Jerry (in his Scottish accent!) that the only way he can feel truly alive is to keep killing! Unfortunately for Jerry’s co-workers, that’s exactly what he keeps doing.
The Voices, is really a fantastic piece of cinema. The cinematography reflects Jerry’s dual personality and is bright and lush when he is off his medication, but dark, claustrophobic and sickly when he comes back on the medication a time when his true reality is revealed. In this way we are given an insight into his world, and the struggle that he has in dealing with his mental illness. The writing is great, and keeps you guessing as to which way Jerry is going to go good or evil? Even though Jerry is clearly a psychotic killer, you can’t help but empathise with his character; there is a true sense that you want him to make the right decisions.
It has some classic horror “don’t go in there!’ moments, where we fear for the safety of the other characters, only for Jerry to suddenly act benevolent and harmless. There are also some cleverly shot gore-moments, similar to something you might see in Dexter, where Jerry makes interesting use of a meat cleaver. However even with all the horrifying moments there is a vein of comedy that keeps the audience giggling. Fiona ultimately ends up as a severed head in Jerry’s fridge, but the whole time keeps chatting to Jerry in the flirtiest and most charming way utterly bizarre!
Overall verdict: There is a lot to be said about The Voices the writing is witty, funny, and unpredictable and gives insight into the mind of the deranged. Ryan Reynolds gives one of his best performances, with the voices of his cat and dog reason alone to see the film and even through all the horror, to still laugh and feel empathy for the character is a testament to great direction by Marjane Satrapi. Definitely a must see.
Reviewer: Kevin van der Ham