The ventriloquists and their dummies are, in fact, not dumbstruck. They're actually quite articulate about their art. They also do everything in their power to enhance their dummies, hone their skills and elevate their professional standing.
It's All About Casting
At the other end of the film's talent spectrum, Dylan Burdette, a teenager who's been fascinated by dummies and puppets since he was a toddler, and is now striving to get his first professional contract with a booking agency. Kim Yaeger, stuck in a career chasm of touring to day care centers and grade schools, is finding it difficult to transition into the more sophisticated sphere of cruise ship entertainment. She's advised to change her dummy's persona, but even with that, she can't seem to land a shipboard gig. On the other hand, Dan Horn is swimmingly successful on cruise vessels, but his absence from home for months at a time is playing havoc with his spousal relationship. Lastly, Wilma Swartz, who focuses on helping those in need, is shunned by her disapproving family and is so broke she's almost evicted from her home -- until ventriloquist friends come to her rescue. Such is the nature of the 'vent' community, and all show abundant support for each other when they meet up for their annual Vent Haven Convention in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.
Honing The Film
However, the film offers no explanation about why these characters -- or any ventriloquists, for that matter -- are obsessed with wooden puppets through which they express their thoughts and, perhaps, certain aspects of their own personalities. Some measure of analysis or explanation would have been a valuable addition to the scenario.
On the other hand, you may be relieved to know that this is one ventriloquist movie where you won't encounter demon dummies or monster manipulators or any other escapees from the horror genre.
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Film Details
- Title: Dumbstruck
- Directors: Mark Goffman
- Theatrical Release Date: April, 2011 (limited)
- Running Time: 85 mins.
- MPAA Rating: PG for suggestive humor
- Parents Advisory: Parents Guide: Content advisory for parents
- Locations: Ft. Mitchell (Kentucky), Las Vegas, aboard cruise ships, and elsewhere in the US
- Language: English
- Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
- Official Website
- Trailer
