This story has been done so many times on film (Neil Simon, Woody Allen, etc.) - typical dysfunctional Jewish/Irish/Italian family. Sure, the acting in some parts is over-the-top (I like the part when Michael says, "My drinking is WAY down," when that's not the case). Fangora and Steven form one of the weirdest relationship, and when Fanny talks to Steven about girls and dating, the results are a train wreck (when she gives Steven a Sousa CD, she says "Chicks love classical music." - but NOT marching band music). I can name a short list of actresses that have the chops to play Fangora with all her internal complications. Christini Ricci, Sarah Polly, Virginie Ledoyen, Jaime (aka James) King, Winona Ryder, Clea Duvall, Sarah Silverman, etc. Usually Milla Jovovich's acting in small films is understated (The Claim, Million Dollar Hotel, No Good Deed, etc.) unlike her acting in blockbusters.
I never liked Adrian Brody, but his performance as a painfully shy geek was well worth it. What regular man has not been in that situation as a teenager or a young adult? The surrounding cast was pretty good. I like the actress who played Lorena - her acting was seamless. When she spits out the wine in her glass that Steven's mom pours her without saying a word.
Dummy broke no new ground to me as a film - in some parts it was a screwball comedy, a coming-of-age slice-of-life, and family dynamics that went awry.
I never liked Adrian Brody, but his performance as a painfully shy geek was well worth it. What regular man has not been in that situation as a teenager or a young adult? The surrounding cast was pretty good. I like the actress who played Lorena - her acting was seamless. When she spits out the wine in her glass that Steven's mom pours her without saying a word.
Dummy broke no new ground to me as a film - in some parts it was a screwball comedy, a coming-of-age slice-of-life, and family dynamics that went awry.