DUMMY

DUMMY is a very funny, unusual comedy built around a spooky premise: a man pursues a career as a ventriloquist with a life-like wooden dummy. The film’s quirky characters and strong performances give it warmth, especially as Steven and his sister Heidi move toward mutual respect.

That warmth comes with a real cost. The movie contains lots of strong foul language, a brief reference to pornography, a joke involving child molestation, sexual references, comical violence, alcohol use, smoking, and other troubling behavior. Its central message also encourages following the desires of your heart without pointing toward a higher purpose.

Adults may find a great deal to enjoy in the cast, humor, and positive family movement. Families with children or young teens should choose something else. For discerning adults, DUMMY is worth watching with its content clearly in mind.

Steven Schoichet is a 28-year-old Jewish man living with his parents in New York. He quits his white-collar job to pursue his dream of becoming a ventriloquist with a life-like wooden dummy.

As Steven begins performing, he receives help from Lorena, an unemployment bureaucrat, and encouragement from his foul-mouthed punk-rocker friend Fanny. Meanwhile, his sister Heidi works as a wedding planner and struggles with her own abandoned dreams.

Four stars means DUMMY succeeds strongly as a comedy, largely because of its cast. Adrien Brody is endearing, slightly creepy, and hilarious as Steven. Illeana Douglas brings zeal and credibility to Heidi, while Milla Jovovich is a revelation as the kooky Fanny. Her transformation into a moody klezmer singer is fantastic.

The rest of the cast is also excellent, including Jessica Walter as Steven and Heidi’s irritating mother. Writer-director Greg Pritikin blends the quirky performances into a convincing whole. The growing respect between Steven and Heidi gives the movie good, positive feelings underneath its oddball humor.

DUMMY presents a Romantic worldview: it says people should follow the desires of their hearts, even when others ridicule those desires. The film’s dreams are focused on personal careers rather than a higher or more worthy cause.

The movie does include some clear moral elements. Steven and Heidi are honorable, likeable people, and their relationship develops into a warm, positive bond despite their differences. The film also treats family respect and personal encouragement as valuable.

The central idea needs biblical direction. Scripture does not tell us to make personal desire our highest guide. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

DUMMY is a funny, well-acted comedy with endearing characters and a positive family relationship at its center. Its strong language and mature content make it unsuitable for children and young teens, while its worldview needs discernment. For adults prepared for those concerns, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.