This indie romantic comedy stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody (THE PIANIST) as a slow, shy 28-year-old man named Steven, who has finally decided to quit his job and follow his dream of becoming a ventriloquist. He begins to take the dummy everywhere he goes. Will following his dream allow him to open up or make him hide behind something new?
Steven lives at home with his unsupportive parents (Jessica Walter, SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS and Ron Liebman, NORMA RAE) and his wedding planner sister Heidi (Illeana Douglas, GHOST WORLD), who is trying to get over her psychotic ex-fiancée Michael (Jared Harris, HAPPINESS), who keeps stalking her. Steven's best friend is the wanna-be punk rock singer Fangora (Milla Jovovich, FIFTH ELEMENT). When he goes to the unemployment office to find work as a ventriloquist, Steven develops a crush on single mother, Lorena (Vera Farmiga, the new MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE). There relationship is bumpy, because she doesn't like dating two men — Steven and his dummy.
The story is a classic tale of following your dreams and coming out of your shell. I enjoyed the performances and the offbeat romance was charming. It treads on credibility with Lorena not getting too creeped out by the dummy, but Brody is so likable you forgive this problem. I would have just liked to see one scene where Lorena talks to someone about why she likes Steven.
Part of the film's charm is the interaction of the characters. Brody brings a great deal of innocence to the part. Douglas is great as his worrisome sister while Harris is making a name for himself in indie circles by playing intense and slightly deranged characters. Jovovich, as the struggling rocker who really gets into klezmer music, brings her best performance, showing off her comedic skills. These four characters all mirror each other in their eccentricities as well as their desire to find their place in the world.
Despite any of its flaws, I found the story too fun to let little things ruin it. The end is very solid and even includes an interesting twist, which illuminates character not just the plot. The screenplay fills the characters with lovable losers, but they're believable not just collections of neurotic behaviors from eccentric casting central. A good deal of this success comes from the solid cast. If you're looking for an offbeat romance than you won't go wrong with this film.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
