Voices 1979

Romance

Drama

Box Office

$2.6M

Runtime

106 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Tom Quinn

Made by

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Voices Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Voices (1979). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Rosemarie Lemon (Amy Irving) is a young deaf woman and a patient teacher of deaf children who nurtures a bold dream: to become a dancer. Her mother, Mrs. Lemon, does not support this dream, a stance voiced by Viveca Lindfors. The contrast between Rosemarie’s quiet resolve and her mother’s doubt sets the emotional stage for the story.

Drew Rothman (Michael Ontkean) is a truck driver for the family business who longs to become a singer. His ambition is met with ridicule from his brother, Barry Miller as Raymond Rothman, and their father Herbert Berghof as Nathan Rothman. They all live with their grandfather Montrose Meier, Allan Rich, in a crowded Hoboken, New Jersey apartment that frames the family dynamic and the pressures on both siblings as they chase personal dreams.

Drew first spots Rosemarie at a train station, and he follows that initial spark by tracking her down. He learns about her hearing impairment but becomes fascinated by how she navigates life without hearing, a perspective that resonates with his own passion for music. As their paths cross and they begin to see each other, their bond deepens, strengthened by shared ambitions and the mutual need for support.

While the romance grows, both families offer criticism and commentary. Rosemarie’s mother and Drew’s father and brother challenge the couple, yet their relationship gradually opens doors to new understanding. Each learns to see the other’s world more clearly, and the romance becomes a steady source of encouragement as they pursue their respective goals.

In the end, Rosemarie and Drew find the love and confidence they need to follow their dreams, supporting one another as they strive to turn dancing and singing into real, fulfilling paths. The film highlights resilience, communication, and the power of partnership to bridge differences.

Voices Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Voices (1979) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Drew spots Rosemarie at the train station

Drew Rothman, a truck driver who dreams of becoming a singer, first notices Rosemarie Lemon at a busy train station. He is immediately drawn to her presence and curious about the world she navigates, especially given her deafness. He decides to seek her out to learn more.

train station

Drew tracks her down and learns she is deaf

After locating her, he learns about her hearing impairment and is fascinated by how she moves through life without hearing. He begins to see music and communication through her perspective, deepening his interest. Their initial encounter plants the seed for a budding connection.

city streets

They start seeing each other

Rosemarie and Drew begin dating, and their shared ambitions create a bond between them. They talk about music, dancing, and the unique ways they experience the world. Their relationship becomes a space of mutual support.

city and shared spaces

Rosemarie's mother disapproves

Rosemarie's mother voices criticism, doubting the feasibility of her daughter's dancing dreams and the relationship with Drew. She worries about the stability and happiness of Rosemarie's future. This tension foreshadows the challenges the couple will face.

Rosemarie's home

Drew's family critiques his dream

Drew's father and brother ridicule his ambition to become a singer, undermining the seriousness of his dream. The family dynamic, including the grandfather in Hoboken, creates a chorus of skepticism. Despite this, Drew remains determined.

family apartment in Hoboken

The couple supports each other's goals

Despite the critics, Rosemarie and Drew nurture each other's ambitions. They find ways to support Rosemarie's teaching and Drew's music, learning to walk in each other's world.

homes and shared spaces

Rosemarie continues teaching deaf children

Rosemarie stays committed to her role as a teacher of deaf children, using her experience to guide and inspire her students. Her passion anchors her dreams even as she navigates love. This helps balance her identity with her relationship.

school

Drew pursues music more seriously

Drew leans into his dream of singing, seeking opportunities and refining his craft. He understands that love for music also means supporting Rosemarie through her world of deafness. Their partnership strengthens as they chase their respective passions.

music practice space

They face external criticism together

The couple continues to face disapproval from family and perhaps society, but they present a united front. They communicate openly about their differences and learn to respect each other's perspective. Their shared resilience brings them closer.

family apartment

Love and confidence grow

Over time, their love becomes a source of confidence to pursue their dreams. They encourage each other to take risks and stay true to who they are. The relationship proves a catalyst for personal growth.

shared life

Towards a hopeful future

The story closes with a sense of possibility as they commit to new steps toward their dreams. They envision a life where Rosemarie dances and Drew sings, supported by love. The final moment emphasizes shared purpose and perseverance.

finale city and home

Hoboken apartment life as a symbol

Throughout the narrative, the apartment life in Hoboken symbolizes the blending of two worlds—the deaf community and the world of music—where their daily life and conversations shape their bond. It anchors their relationship as they pursue their dreams.

Hoboken, New Jersey

Voices Characters

Explore all characters from Voices (1979). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Rosemarie Lemon (Amy Irving)

A young deaf woman and teacher of deaf children who dreams of becoming a dancer. Her life navigates the challenge of a mother’s skepticism while she forges a path toward artistic expression. She is determined, resilient, and capable of deep empathy, especially toward others who struggle to be understood.

🎭 Deaf protagonist 💃 Aspiring dancer 🧡 Determined

Drew Rothman (Michael Ontkean)

A truck driver for the family business with an ambition to become a singer. His dreams are initially ridiculed by his father and brother, yet he remains hopeful and supportive of Rosemarie’s goals. He is characterized by a blend of practicality and passion, choosing love and perseverance over conformity.

🎵 Musician in training 🚚 Family worker 🤝 Supportive partner

Mrs. Lemon (Viveca Lindfors)

Rosemarie’s mother who expresses concern and criticism toward her daughter's dream. She embodies protective, traditional instincts and often clashes with the pursuit of non-conventional paths. Her perspective evolves as she witnesses the couple’s commitment and resilience.

👩‍👦 Protective matriarch 🗣️ Traditional views 🤔 Evolving viewpoint

Frank Rothman (Alex Rocco)

Drew’s father and a figure of authority in the family who participates in the initial ridicule of his son’s ambitions. He represents a pragmatic, sometimes skeptical, stance toward dreams that depart from the family business. His attitude creates friction but also highlights the family’s broader dynamic.

👨‍👦 Father figure ⚖️ Pragmatic 🧩 Family tension

Raymond Rothman (Barry Miller)

Drew’s brother who shares his family’s skepticism about pursuing unrealistic dreams. He contributes to the initial tension but also helps to illuminate the challenges of younger generations breaking away from family expectations.

👬 Brother 🗯️ Skeptical 🧭 Family pressure

Montrose Meier (Allan Rich)

The family patriarch whose presence anchors the household in Hoboken. He embodies the traditional lineage and provides a backdrop against which the younger generation strives for independence and personal achievement.

👴 Grandfather figure 🏠 Family anchor 🔗 Generational presence

Voices Settings

Learn where and when Voices (1979) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

Hoboken, New Jersey

Set in Hoboken, New Jersey, the story unfolds around a family apartment and the nearby train station. The city provides a working-class, urban backdrop with easy access to New York City. The setting emphasizes close-knit neighborhood life and the daily rhythms of commuting, work, and family relationships. This backdrop frames the couple’s ambitions and the tensions within the family.

🏙️ Hoboken setting 🎭 Urban romance 🧭 Family dynamics

Voices Themes

Discover the main themes in Voices (1979). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎯

Dreams

Both Rosemarie and Drew chase artistic dreams that challenge their families' expectations. Rosemarie longs to dance and teach deaf children, while Drew hopes to become a singer. Their ambitions are tested by criticism from relatives, yet their determination fuels their connection. The theme highlights perseverance and the courage to pursue personal goals against the odds.

💞

Love and Support

Love grows as two people from different worlds learn to support one another. Despite initial ridicule, Rosemarie and Drew choose to encourage each other's aspirations. Their relationship becomes a partnership built on trust and belief, rather than doubt. The theme shows how affection can empower people to chase difficult paths.

🗣️

Communication

Communication bridges the gap between Rosemarie’s deaf world and Drew’s hearing world. They learn to listen and interpret signals beyond spoken words. The film explores how love can transcend sensory differences through patience and empathy. Through their dynamic, the story promotes inclusion and adaptive understanding.

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Voices Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Voices (1979). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a bustling corner of Hoboken, New Jersey, a city that hums with the everyday clatter of trains, kitchens, and street vendors, two lives move along parallel rhythms—one defined by sound, the other by its absence. The film’s tone is gentle and intimate, inviting the audience to feel the pulse of a world where music is both a career and a sanctuary, while silence becomes a canvas for creativity and longing. Against this backdrop, the story explores how love and ambition can bridge gaps that seem insurmountable.

Rosemarie Lemon is a young deaf woman who has turned her quiet resolve into a vocation, teaching children who share her hearing loss. Beneath her calm exterior burns a bold desire to dance, a dream that collides with the practical doubts of her mother, who worries that such aspirations might be unrealistic. Rosemarie’s world is one of visual rhythm, where bodies speak the language of movement that music would otherwise dictate. Her steadfast pursuit of dance hints at a resilient spirit that refuses to be silenced by circumstance.

Drew Rothman works as a truck driver for his family’s business, but his true passion lies on the stage, where he hopes to become a singer. He shares a crowded apartment with his brother, father, and grandfather, a lively, sometimes overbearing family that both supports and rib‑teases his artistic yearning. The rhythm of his life is punctuated by the roar of engines and the hum of his own humming, a private soundtrack that fuels his aspirations despite the doubts voiced by those closest to him.

When fate nudges their paths together—first in the fleeting anonymity of a train station, then through a series of curious encounters—each discovers a mirror of their own longing reflected in the other’s world. The chemistry between a woman who feels the beat through vibration and a man who lives for melody creates an atmosphere charged with possibility, setting the stage for a partnership that promises to redefine how they experience both music and silence.

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