Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

THis is the kind of film that really surprises you with it's warmth, balance, humor, and maturity. A really balanced script that allows everyone to show their stuff. I bought this DVD because I think I've lost my head over Milla Jovovich, because of her performance on The Fifth Element, and wanted to see what else she has done. This is the one to check out...as her performance in Zoolander is just a comic book character..(Not her fault..written that way) and the noir film she did with Sam Jackson called No Good Deed, doesn't allow her to shine...the director keeps all in a subdued space, and Milla listens to her directors...however, one should see No Good Deed, for Mill'as closeup in the street with her made bank boyfriend, as there is a wonderful open light on her as she kisses him, while wearing a robe with a towel in her hair, and the way her green eyes shine for that small moment, is a real keeper. Oh yeah, this is a review of Dummy. Just get this perfectly formed diamond of a comedy...Adrian is great, and has also learned to be a ventriloquist and has great scenes with his little wooden friend. Milla plays his completely opposite punked/rocked out buddy, and she nails the part. (Favorite scene is Milla scratching her butt while giving Adrian grief about his life. Check out Milla's great web site, too. She's open generous, friendly, literate, talented, walks her dogs, writes great songs, gets overproduced sometimes, but maybe that's because there is an international audience out there for her, and reverb and echo are still popular in Europe and South America more than the states....I wish her all the best...and the whole group behind Dummy...a film I was easily able to watch three times in one week with three different friends... Andre in S.F. Milla..Milla...."Diving Up"

Greg Pritikin's "Dummy" kept reminding us about another film, "Napoleon Dynamite", in that both heroes of the films are kind souls that stick like sore thumbs in a society and films that are dominated by jerks and bullies. "Dummy" presents a family that doesn't appear to be too functional. Although there is a lack of eccentricity, Steven, is deemed too odd, by his sister, or the people he comes in contact with. Steven is a good soul trying to come to terms with life, in general. By deciding to become a ventriloquist, his inner self gets an outlet for expressing how he feels, but few, including his foul-mouthed friend, Fangora, understands him.When he meets the beautiful Lorena, who has processed his unemployment claim, Steven begins to chance and come out of his shell because of what he feels for the young woman who has had a hard life herself and is in need of a kind soul like Steven.The film will conquer anyone's heart because of the appealing performance of Adrien Brody. Vera Farmiga, as Lorena, fills the screen with her beauty and her common sense. Milla Jovovich is Fangora, the well intentioned friend with a motor mouth and a vocabulary to match. Ileana Douglas, Jessica Walter and Ron Leibman are seen as Steve's sister and parents respectively.No doubt Greg Pritikin will go to bigger and better things, but he is to be commended for creating a character of Steve, something one doesn't get to see much in the American cinema.

It's a pity that Brody's award winning acting in "The Pianist" overshadowed what I think was the best performance of his career so far, as the romantically clueless and vocationally strange Steven in "Dummy". The film is just as captivating as "The Pianist", but in totally different ways. Brody completely inhabits of the body, mind, and soul of Steven -- and his dummy -- surrounded by an amazing cast that seems tailor made for each part. The film also includes some of the most subtle and hilarious comedic situations ever. (If you enjoy Wes Anderson or Coen Brothers style humor, then this will be a treat). Brody's Steven is sweet, disturbing, funny, shy and sometimes brave with amazing skill and believability. You feel yourself rooting for him despite all odds. He's a lovable loser that you want to win the girl at last, and I promise he'll be your favorite ventriloquist by the end of the film. If you have an appetite for a unique, well-made movie to restore your faith in movies (and actors) rent "Dummy" tonight.

This story has been done so many times on film (Neil Simon, Woody Allen, etc.) - typical dysfunctional Jewish/Irish/Italian family. Sure, the acting in some parts is over-the-top (I like the part when Michael says, "My drinking is WAY down," when that's not the case). Fangora and Steven form one of the weirdest relationship, and when Fanny talks to Steven about girls and dating, the results are a train wreck (when she gives Steven a Sousa CD, she says "Chicks love classical music." - but NOT marching band music). I can name a short list of actresses that have the chops to play Fangora with all her internal complications. Christini Ricci, Sarah Polly, Virginie Ledoyen, Jaime (aka James) King, Winona Ryder, Clea Duvall, Sarah Silverman, etc. Usually Milla Jovovich's acting in small films is understated (The Claim, Million Dollar Hotel, No Good Deed, etc.) unlike her acting in blockbusters.I never liked Adrian Brody, but his performance as a painfully shy geek was well worth it. What regular man has not been in that situation as a teenager or a young adult? The surrounding cast was pretty good. I like the actress who played Lorena - her acting was seamless. When she spits out the wine in her glass that Steven's mom pours her without saying a word.Dummy broke no new ground to me as a film - in some parts it was a screwball comedy, a coming-of-age slice-of-life, and family dynamics that went awry.