Dummy (2002 film)

2002 film by Greg Pritikin

Dummy is a 2002 American romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Greg Pritikin. The film stars Adrien Brody as an ex office worker who becomes a ventriloquist. It also stars Milla Jovovich, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga, Jessica Walter, Ron Leibman, and Jared Harris. It premiered at the American Film Market on February 21, 2002, and received a limited theatrical release on September 12, 2003.

Steven Schoichet is a recently unemployed ne'er do well who has difficulty expressing himself. Steven finds he has a knack for ventriloquism. Steven's best friend is Fangora "Fanny" Gurkel, an aspiring punk rock singer who, along with Steven, is just looking for her niche. Eventually, Fanny takes a shine to klezmer music when she learns of an opportunity to get an actual gig. 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 Fanchetti.

In May 2000, it was reported by Variety that Adrien Brody and Milla Jovovich had been cast in the film, Brody as the lead character of Steven, and Jovovich as the best friend of Brody's character. The following month, in June 2000, it was announced that Illeana Douglas had joined the cast in a supporting role. Vera Farmiga, Ron Leibman, Jared Harris and Jessica Walter were also cast in supporting roles. Brody (who had no previous experience as a ventriloquist) performed all of the ventriloquism and puppetry live during shooting, doing so without puppeteering stand ins or voiceover dubbing. He was coached prior to and during production by veteran actor ventriloquist puppetmaker Alan Semok, who is credited in the film as special consultant and designer/creator of the title character.

Principal photography took place in New York City, Wayne, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York in July and August 2000.

The film was given a limited release in the United States. Dummy made $30,130 from 5 theaters in its opening weekend. It made an additional $41,516 at the box office for a total domestic gross of $71,646. On Metacritic, the film holds a 48% rating based on 12 critical reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".