Watch Dummy

Dummy is a quirky comedy-drama film from 2002, starring Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, and Illeana Douglas. Directed by Greg Pritikin, the movie follows the story of a socially awkward aspiring writer, Steven Schoichet (Adrien Brody), who has trouble expressing himself in real life. He takes up ventriloquism as a means of communication and develops an unlikely friendship with his puppet, whom he names Fang.

Steven is a thirtysomething living with his parents in Queens, New York. He works as a telemarketer for a dental supply company and dreams of becoming a successful writer. However, he is too timid to speak up for himself and often gets bullied by his boss and colleagues. Steven's father, Ben (Ron Leibman), is a bitter old man who constantly belittles his son and treats him like a failure. His overbearing mother (Jessica Walter) is obsessed with finding him a girlfriend and takes him to a speed-dating event.

At the event, Steven meets Lorena (Milla Jovovich), a free-spirited, aspiring singer-songwriter whom he immediately falls for. Lorena, who is also a bit of a misfit, is drawn to Steven's quirky personality and encourages him to pursue his dreams. She even accompanies him to a ventriloquism class where he meets the eccentric instructor, Fangora (Illeana Douglas), who becomes his mentor.

As Steven progresses in his ventriloquism, he starts to gain confidence in himself and his writing. He even lands a job writing for a trashy TV show, "The Slut Whisperer," where he meets a fellow writer, Heidi (Vera Farmiga), who takes a liking to him. However, Steven's newfound success causes tension in his relationship with Lorena, who becomes jealous of Heidi.

Meanwhile, Steven's relationship with his parents also starts to improve as he learns to stand up for himself. He even confronts his father about his past, and they have a heart-to-heart conversation that reveals a lot about their family dynamics.

The film's standout feature is the usage of ventriloquism as a storytelling device. Steven's interactions with Fang create a surreal and often hilarious atmosphere that lightens the mood of the film. Fangora's quirkiness and eccentricity also add to the movie's offbeat charm.

The acting performances in Dummy are top-notch, especially Adrien Brody's portrayal of Steven. He captures the character's social awkwardness and vulnerability with nuance and subtlety, making him a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. Milla Jovovich brings a much-needed energy and levity to the film, and Illeana Douglas steals the show with her dynamic and entertaining performance.

Dummy is a heartwarming and funny film about self-discovery and personal growth. It offers an unconventional approach to storytelling and an authentic portrayal of characters struggling to find their place in the world. With its quirky humor, charming characters, and engaging plot, Dummy is a must-watch for fans of indie comedies.

Dummy is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 48.