Voices (1979)

Director:

Robert Markowitz

Writer:

John Herzfeld (writer)

Release Date:

14 March 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A love story beyond words.

Cast

Michael Ontkean	...	Drew Rithman
Amy Irving	...	Rosemarie Lemon
Alex Rocco	...	Frank Rothman
Barry Miller	...	Raymond Rothman
Herbert Berghof	...	Nathan Rothman
Viveca Lindfors	...	Mrs. Lemon
Allan Rich	...	Montrose Meier
Joseph Cali	...	Pinky
Rik Colitti	...	String
Jean Ehrlich	...	Snowflake
Thurman Scott	...	Patterson
Melonie Mazman Hayden	...	Debbie (as Melonie Mazman)
Arva Holt	...	Helen
Richard Kendall	...	Scott Gunther
Mary Serrano	...	Ceryl

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

A love story striking gold!!

So here i am writing a review on yet another film in a category i rarely watch, drama. Not only that, it's a love drama and i must say that i hardly think it can get any better than this. Since i'm a sucker for the grittiness of the 70's(aah, sweet childhood memories), the time which this plays out, just makes it even better.

Amy Irving is just terrific as the deaf teacher. This is by far the best role i've seen her in. I really liked her in "Carrie" and "Alias" but her performance here is pure gold. Michael Ontkean is also great as the struggling musician, earning his living at the family laundry to pursue his career. There is a clear contrast between him, being street smart, living in the rougher part of town sharing his apartment with his family and her, cared for, living in a nice apartment in the finer parts. Love don't care about the circumstances, it just happens.

We get to follow these two personalities from the first time their paths cross and to the finale(i won't tell you how it ends). Spliced in between are his family issues and his problems to making it work out with her. We get to see her struggle with an over protective mother and feeling the hardship of making a relationship work with a non handicapped boyfriend.

The story is really sweet and innocent. If you don't get touched by this movie some way it would really surprise me. Add to this some of the most memorable and beautiful songs found in a movie, hands down. 'On A Stage', 'The Children's Song', 'Rosemarie's Theme' and 'I Will Always Wait For You' are songs that will stick with me forever. Too bad the soundtrack is not yet available on CD.

If you like a really good love story you should absolutely check this one out. Seeing the few reviews here, it must be one of the most overlooked movies out there.

Now why isn't this gem transferred to DVD?