Review of Dumbstruck (2010) by Dave R — 09 Jun 2011

Whoever thought that the world of ventriloquism could be so fascinating, or this touching? The greatest part about this documentary is not the dummies on display, but the real people behind their voices, movements, and emotions. In only 85 minutes you get a snapshot of the lives of five people who have given their time, talent, and their self-worth over to a career that asks an audience of children or adults to laugh at a stuffed puppet. More importantly, the film shows the heights and lows of such an endeavor. You see stars like Terry Fator born, and a marriage dissolve. You see a mothers disdain for her daughters love for what she does, and a fatherâ(TM)s disappointment that his son would rather play with dummies, than be a football player. This is real life, in all of its sweetness and its sorrows.

GRADE: B+.