Dummy | | Cast : | Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich | | Director : | Greg Pritikin | | Studio : | Lions Gate Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | January 01, 2003 | | DVD Released Date : | February 17, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 26, 2005 | | Summary | A good cast but not much to work with | Content
 | Adrien Brody followed his Oscar-winning performance in "The Pianist" by choosing this script about a loser transformed by his relationships with, first, a dummy and, second, a girlfriend.
This is a quirky romantic comedy with a great cast including Ron Liebman, Illeana Douglas, Milla Jovovich and Jessica Walter. But none of these distinguished actors can turn this turnip into a rose, Brody included. They all try very hard, though, especially in their lurid intrafamily relationships.
Ultimately, what I believe fails most in this film is the relationship between ventriloquist Brody and his dummy, which is eerily reminiscent of the relationship between psychotics and dummies in slasher films. In effect, the dummy runs Brody's life until he decides he can do it on his own. He turns it around in time to be a romantic hero and save the day at the end.
If it wasn't for the sterling cast, this movie wouldn't rate three stars in my book. If lesser character actors played these roles, no one would watch it. The big name actors is the only reason to rent this flick, which is in no way fulfilling, meaningful or memorable. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 22, 2005 | | Summary | "Better an unwed mother than just unwed!" | Content
| Dummy takes a simple premise - a man pushing 30 still living with his parents and unable to assert himself professionally, romantically or socially. After being fired he decides to go for his dream - to become a ventriloquist. The most amazing side effect of working with a dummy is Steven develops an edge to his otherwise bland character and life takes on a whole new direction.
Egged on by his best friend the punk, Fangora, a foul-mouthed, strident loser in her own right played with zero charm by Milla Jovovich, Steven takes risks that sound like bad ideas to him - and prove to be just that.
Steven's not the only loser at home, his older sister - a hilariously deadpan Ileana Douglas - gave up her own dream of becoming a singer. It's easy to see where the this pair of siblings lack of self esteem comes from once we meet Mom and Dad. The entire family could easily fall into the realm of stereotype or caricature, but Jessica Walter and Ron Liebman make this material fresh and hilarious. When Steven invites his potential paramour, a single mother, to a family dinner, the results are, predictably, outrageously funny.
There is a love story woven into Dummy, but ultimately it's Steven's journey of self-awareness and acceptance that is the heart of this story and that impresses the most. A fun, fun ride.
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| Rating | | | Date | May 18, 2005 | | Summary | Brody & Co. Shine in Twentysomething Coming-of-Age Tale | Content
| DUMMY, one of Adrien Brody's two shelved indies that finally made it to theaters after he won his PIANIST Oscar, is much more likable and watchable than the other one, LOVE THE HARD WAY (about which I've groused at length elsewhere on Amazon.com). TV GUIDE ONLINE critic Maitland McDonagh described this quirky young-adults-coming-of-age comedy as "repetitive and obvious but somehow endearing, like a truly ugly dog with sweet eyes," and I pretty much agree with her assessment. This Long Island-based story of a pair of twentysomething siblings still living at home with their annoying, critical parents (real-life spouses Jessica Walter and Ron Leibman are so convincing as Mom and Dad, it's scary!) while trying to find their respective paths to independence could have been shrill and tiresome, and at times it teeters dangerously close to being so. Luckily, the superb leads bring a gentle, non-cloying sweetness and poignancy to their performances that makes you keep watching and rooting for them. That's saying quite a bit when you consider that the road to full-tilt adulthood for brother Steven (Brody) involves honing his ventriloquism skills (Brody learned ventriloquism for his role, and he does a good job! I wonder if Brody drops such acquired-for-a-role skills once the movie wraps, or if he keeps them honed just for fun?) with a rather unnerving, unnamed dummy (not to keep digressing, but with such rare exceptions as Charlie McCarthy, aren't most ventriloquist's dummies rather unnerving? :-) as he woos Lorena, his employment counselor (enchantingly played by Vera Farmiga), who's got issues of her own. High-strung sister Heidi (Illeana Douglas) is trying to forge a career as a wedding planner, but she's got her work cut out for her, what with an inept stalker ex-fiance (Jared Harris) dogging her every move, her first major professional assignment turning out to be a Jewish wedding where the bride insists on klezmer music, and not owning her own car; the scenes where Heidi has to beg their mom for the car are both funny and painful. Adding to all this anxiety-laced wackiness is Steven's high school pal Fangora, née Fanny (Milla Jovovich), an aspiring punk rocker and all-around nutty chick who claims she can play klezmer music so she'll get the wedding gig, as well as giving Steven well-meant but questionable advice on how to win Lorena's heart, such as spray-painting a message on Lorena's front door. Fortunately, in writer/director Greg Pritikin's world, even restraining orders and omnipresent ventriloquist's dummies can't block the path to love and happiness for long, and everyone gets what they deserve. Brody and Douglas are particularly well-cast; with their attractively angular faces, almond-shaped green eyes, and overall air of angst, they make very convincing siblings. Jovovich is hilarious, especially in the running gag where she and her punk band practice their klezmer numbers. Between DUMMY and ZOOLANDER, it's clear that Jovovich has a flair for comedy. I hope she gets more chances to keep her funny side up! You budding Edgar Bergens and Jay Johnsons may be interested in the ventriloquist lessons included amongst the DVD's extras.
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| Rating | | | Date | April 18, 2005 | | Summary | Converted | Content
| I'm a recent convert to the worship of Adrien Brody, so I was predisposed to like this one. Wasn't prepared for how good it actually turned out to be, though. The music and the direction are excellent. The actors give it 100% across the board.
You'll either really understand these people or they'll look like a bunch of weirdos. It's highly entertaining if you get them, kind of off-putting if you don't. The writing is subtle and lets you find your own way into the heads of the characters. The plot is pretty simple and straightforward, but the interactions between the characters are not.
Sweet and honest.
Good movie. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 06, 2005 | | Summary | great for never hearing about it | Content
| Most people never heard of this movie. But if you wanna see Adrian brody best performance,, "yes better than the Pianist". and you like milli "except for the resident evils" check this dvd out rent it and tell your friends. |
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