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Dummy

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Dummy (2003)

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72 %
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Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:23

Rotten:9

Average Rating:6.2/10

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Sep 12, 2003 Limited

Synopsis: Family, friendship and romance find a voice in Dummy, the smartly offbeat and charming debut comedy from writer and director Greg Pritikin. Steven Schoichet (Adrien Brody, Academy Award® winner... Family, friendship and romance find a voice in Dummy, the smartly offbeat and charming debut comedy from writer and director Greg Pritikin. Steven Schoichet (Adrien Brody, Academy Award® winner for The Pianist) is browbeaten at every turn, by his family, his dead-end job, the faceless suburb where he still lives at home. That is until he decides to make a change. Ventriloquism. Hey, a dream’s a dream.

His family barely pays him enough attention to even dismiss the idea – his mother (Jessica Walter, Slums of Beverly Hills) is only concerned that he eat something, and his father (Ron Liebman, Tony Award® winner for “Angels In America”) only thinks of his model ships. Steven’s sister (Illeana Douglas, Grace of My Heart) recently broke off her engagement to an unstable accountant (Jared Harris, Happiness), which makes her career as a wedding planner an emotional minefield. His only supporter is neighbor Fangora (Milla Jovovich, Resident Evil) – really it’s Fanny, but that’s not very punk – who has her own aspirations to stardom.

After Steven loses his job, things actually start to turn around. He falls for his counselor at the unemployment office (Vera Farmiga, Fifteen Minutes), and through the best efforts of Steven and the little friend on his knee, good things start to happen for everyone around him. A restraining order leads to new love, a rock band learns Yiddish, and everything clicks into place at somebody else’s wedding. Funny, winsome, quick-witted, and brave – this Dummy is pretty sharp. -- © Artisan Pictures [More]

Starring: Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga

Starring: Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga, Jessica Walter, Ron Liebman, Jared Harris

Director: Gregory Pritikin

Director: Gregory Pritikin
Screenwriter: Gregory Pritikin
Producer: Bob Fagan, Richard Temtchine
Composer: Paul Wallfisch
Studio: Artisan Entertainment

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Release:

Feb 17, 2004

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Dummy

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
07/02/03
Boston Phoenix

The result is the kind of oddball independent film that's almost a parody of the genre.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
09/11/03
E! Online
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/26/08
Variety

Pritikin's shrewd comedy-drama catches a fine flock of family emotions on the wing, and not the over-exposed ones.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
09/12/03
Bob Campbell
Bob Campbell
Newark Star-Ledger
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like its mini-mouthpiece, as pleasantly entertaining as Dummy often is, this ultimately hollow film sounds a few too many wooden notes and creaky jokes.

Full Review Source: Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada) | comment Comment
01/29/04
Brian Gibson
Brian Gibson
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

It's a sweetly sad and sadly funny tale, conceived with quirky sensitivity, but, though its actors are adept, it only just hangs together, like a sitcom still in rehearsal stages.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/12/03
Bridget Byrne
Bridget Byrne
Boxoffice Magazine

This is a great date movie - it's funny, sweet, and just the right amount of zaniness to keep it from being too sappy.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
04/09/03
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/13/06
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

A mildly engaging addition to that curious sub-genre of American independent filmmaking, the whimsical comedy of Long Island alienation.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
09/11/03
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Walter and Douglas stand out in particular.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
08/30/03
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

Has many of the qualities comedy movie fans have been missing in cinema today: charm, wit, romance and winning performances across the board.

Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
09/06/03
Edward Havens
Edward Havens
FilmJerk.com

Brody ... is the movie's weakest link, turning in a performance almost as wooden as the doll that sits on his knee.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
09/11/03
Ella Taylor
Ella Taylor
L.A. Weekly

An ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
03/21/03
Eric Campos
Eric Campos
Film Threat
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

'Some people can say a lot without moving their lips' is the perfect tagline for this delightful comedy.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
08/26/03
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Brody is a real talent, and Illeana Douglas is a riot as his older sister.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
09/12/03
Jack Mathews
Jack Mathews
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Adrien Brody rescues Greg Pritikin's self-consciously eccentric comedy.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
09/11/03
Jan Stuart
Jan Stuart
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
10/01/03
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY

Pritikin's movie succeeds...thanks to its spirited, oddball humor and winning performances

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Alternative | comment Comment
09/30/04
Jay Antani
Jay Antani
Los Angeles Alternative

Pritikin may be asking his audience to pay attention and embrace small successes, but with Dummy, he has pulled off a great one.

Full Review Source: Bangitout.com | comment Comment
12/09/04
Jordan Hiller
Jordan Hiller
Bangitout.com
 
 
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