Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- quirky
- warm
- awkward
- lazy sunday
- indie movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film sweet and charming, with appealing performances carrying an underdeveloped story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Steven's decision to become a ventriloquist transforms his lifelong hobby into a route toward work, confidence, and romance.
Steven's romance develops alongside Heidi's unstable engagement, his parents' household dynamics, and Fangora's advice.
The wedding of a Jewish bride, including the dispute over Klezmer music, becomes a major communal and emotional event.
Lorena is forced to contend with Steven's bickering family and his continued dependence on his parents.
Films like Dummy, and why
The Tao of Steve
offbeat romantic comedy centered on an socially awkward outsider and eccentric supporting characters
The Squid and the Whale
warm, quirky comedy-drama about adult immaturity, family pressure, and unconventional romance
Kissing Jessica Stein
independent comedy blending romantic awkwardness, family dysfunction, and Jewish cultural specificity
Punch-Drunk Love
charming outsider protagonist pursuing personal reinvention through an unusual artistic hobby
Movie Details
- Director
- Greg Pritikin
- Release Date
- 2002-09-12
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (97)
Cast
- Adrien Brody
- Milla Jovovich
- Illeana Douglas
- Vera Farmiga
- Jessica Walter
- Ron Leibman
- Jared Harris
- Helen Hanft
- Richmond Hoxie
- Mirabella Pisani
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dummy about?
- A socially awkward nearly-thirty dreamer turns ventriloquism into an unlikely path toward independence, romance, and family change.
- What is Dummy like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dummy as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dummy violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Dummy.
- What did critics think of Dummy?
- Critics generally found the film sweet and charming, with appealing performances carrying an underdeveloped story.
- Which films are like Dummy?
- Films with a similar feel include The Tao of Steve, The Squid and the Whale, Kissing Jessica Stein, and Punch-Drunk Love.
- How long is Dummy?
- Dummy runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dummy?
- In United States, Dummy streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
