THE VOICES

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick
Writer: Michael R. Perry
Director: Marjane Satrapi

Jerry (Reynolds) works at a bathtub factory and lives above a bowling alley with his dog Bosco and his cat Mr. Whiskers. He also has a crush on Fiona (Arterton), the 'English hottie' working in the Accounts department. The two of them find themselves on a committee which has been set up to organise an employee picnic and Jerry sees this as an opportunity to meet Fiona properly and then look for the right moment to ask her on a date. Did I mention that Jerry talks to Bosco and Mr. Whiskers? Probably not such a strange thing, lots of people talk to their pets. Did I mention that Jerry hears them talking back to him? And how will Fiona affect Jerry's already fragile psychological state?

The Voices is a total delight, a surreal black comedy that manages to be both astonishingly grim and genuinely funny in equal measure. Michael R. Perry's script is consistently excellent, giving us well-rounded characters it's easy to identify with and then taking them to some extremely dark places. Even so Marjane Satrapi directs with a skilfully light touch, never making the proceedings feel too bleak whilst still making the audience fully aware of the horrors being played out in front of them.

Ryan Reynolds is outstanding as Jerry, somehow coming across as a likeable person and eliciting our sympathy even when he's contemplating doing the most horrible things. In this movie, you forget about the usual wisecracking Reynolds persona - for instance, just watch his mannerisms when he's seeing his psychiatrist - and this proves that the guy has real acting talent. Reynolds also supplies the voices for reliable, sensible old Bosco the dog and the psychotic, foul-mouthed cat Mr. Whiskers. Bosco is loyal, friendly and the voice of the reason. Mr. Whiskers, on the other hand, constantly berates Jerry for not feeding him on time and seems to think the solution to most things is to go on a murderous rampage. If you already think cats are evil this is not the movie to change your mind. Personally, I loved the hilarious awfulness of Mr. Whiskers and I'd like to see him in his own movie.

I'm glad to say that the rest of the cast have brought their A-game to this too. Gemma Arterton is, of course, absolutely stunning to look at but there's no doubt that she's a fine actress too and her performance as the frustrated Fiona - by turns sweet and sour - is excellent. Anna Kendrick, as Fiona's Accounting Department colleague Lisa, is terrific as someone who sees Jerry as something more than the strange guy at work and she brings a winning, adorable girl next door quality to her role. In fact, the whole cast is fabulous; even the most minor of characters are given their moment to shine, and shine they do.

This is definitely one of my favourite movies of 2015 so far. Granted, the swings between horror and comedy may prove too extreme for some but if you're on the lookout for a movie with a truly original take on a well-worn theme you'll thoroughly enjoy the strange and surprising journey this takes you on. And the end just has to be seen to be believed - it's weird, wonderful and very much in keeping with the rest of this tremendous movie.

One last thing: Mr. Whiskers for Oscar glory next year? Fingers crossed.