Voices

Plot

Philip Heseltine (Jeremy Northam) is a music critic in 1930s London. Due to his scathing and often vicious reviews, Heseltine earns himself the nickname: "The Grim Reaper". Focusing almost deliberate attention at British composer Peter Warlock, Heseltine continuously accuses him of plagiarism; which begins to draw the attention and concern from upper management. One evening, while reviewing a cabaret in a local nightclub, Heseltine is drawn to an American singer by the name of Lily Buxton (Tushka Bergen). A relationship ensues. While the two are visiting Heseltine's mother in the country, Buxton is awoken one evening by the sound of someone playing the piano. When she questions Mrs. Heseltine the next morning, Mrs. Heseltine says that she does not play and Philip has not played since he was small. Upon returning to London, Philip informs Lily that he is going out of town for a few days. When they arrive back at Heseltine's flat, there is a note on the door. They discover that the gas has been left on inside, killing all the pet cats. Philip immediately says that Warlock must have done it. Lily reads the note and questions Philip as to how Warlock could have known what he said about him at a party. Upon suspicion, she seeks out Philip's friend Gerald Duffy at his houseboat. He is not home so she enters, looks around, and finds a manuscript on the piano inscribed by Peter Warlock with an address. She takes a cab to the address. Looking through a window she sees a man playing the piano. Lily goes to the front door and knocks. The man answers, but does not reveal himself. Thinking he is Warlock, Lily explains that she heard his music at a concert a few weeks prior and thought it was wonderful. The man welcomes her in, but once in the light, Lily is shocked to see that it is Philip. Enraged, she demands to know what is going on. In a panic, Philip (Warlock), offers her a cup of tea; but when he goes to the kitchen, Lily escapes. Returning to Gerald's home, she confronts him by saying that she knows who Warlock is. Gerald tells her that she should just let things be as they are and that his music is getting better on account of his illness. In an attempt to get help for Philip, Lily goes to see Mrs. Heseltine, who informs her that she will not help in seeking treatment for Philip. Paranoid, she believes that Lily wants Philip all to herself. The next day, Philip demands to know why Lily went to see his mother. She tells him she wants only the best for him. At work, Heseltine's boss informs him that Warlock has brought suit against the paper for libel. He instructs Heseltine that he is to temper his criticism at the next Warlock concert. At the concert, Heseltine has a nervous breakdown and starts shouting from the audience. The orchestra stops playing and Heseltine continues to berate the music while ushers escort him out. Hearing about the incident, Lily finds Philip back at his flat distraught. They argue and he accidentally pushes her down the stairs, knocking her unconscious. He gently picks her up and places her outside the front door on the stoop. Going back inside, he turns on the gas and begins to type at his desk. Upon regaining consciousness, Lily rushes upstairs to find Philip dead. She opens the window and reads what he has typed. It is the beginning of the only positive review of a Peter Warlock performance.