Themes: Suburban Dysfunction, Sibling Relationships, Mothers and Sons
Main Cast: Adrien Brody, Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga, Jessica Walter
Release Year: 2003
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
The sophomore effort from writer and director Greg Pritikin, who previously co-directed and acted in 1998's Totally Confused, Dummy stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist, Summer of Sam) as Steven, a recently unemployed ne'er-do-well who has difficulty expressing himself. Steven's best friend is Fanny, an aspiring singer played by Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Resident Evil) who, along with Steven, is just looking for her niche. Eventually Fanny takes a shine to Yiddish music and Steven finds he has a knack for ventriloquism. Through his newfound talent, Steven discovers that he is able to overcome his social problems through his dummy and decides to try impressing and winning the heart of Lorena, played by Vera Farmiga (Autumn in New York, 15 Minutes). The winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2003 Santa Barbara Film Festival, Dummy also stars Illeana Douglas and Jared Harris. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Ron Leibman - Lou; Jared Harris - Michael; Helen Hanft - Mrs. Gurkel; Richmond Hoxie - Sorensen; Adam Le Fevre - Theater Director; Lou Marini - Unemployed Italian; Debbie Lynn Ross - Le Bagel Waitress; Edward Hibbert - Unemployed Actor; Alan Demovsky - Talking Mime; Gabor Morea - Unemployed Frottager; John Elsen - Cop; Robert Gerard Larkin - Pharmacist; Alix Korey - Mrs. Freed; Jason Batchko - Tardy Vent Student; Oren Kaplan - Fangora's Band; Poppi Kramer - Jen Freed; Tim Otto - Fangora's Band; Mirabella Pisani - Bonnie; Tom Plotkin - Magic Store Clerk; Alan Semok - Professor Parlepancia; Andy Senor - Arab Caterer; David Wm. Sims - Fangora's Band; Paul Wallfisch - Fangora's Band
Credit
Amanda Carroll - Art Director, Cathy Sandrich - Casting, Amanda Mackey-Johnson - Casting, Marie Abma - Costume Designer, Greg Pritikin - Director, Michael Palmerio - Editor, Bill Henry - Editor, Valerie Romer - Line Producer, Mike Ruekberg - Songwriter, Charlotte Bourke - Production Designer, Horacio Marquinez - Cinematographer, Bob Fagan - Producer, Richard Temtchine - Producer, Jon Nissenbaum - Set Designer, Theresa Radka - Sound/Sound Designer, Joe Mendelson - Sound/Sound Designer, Greg Pritikin - Screenwriter
