Belly Talkers (1996) User Reviews

A Rare Treat

[wytche · 10/10 · 18 March 2013]

I can only assume the previous reviewer (U.N. Owen) assumes that ventriloquism is akin to Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog and must not have been paying attention to the movie because the scene at the beginning of the film to which this reviewer refers to as "Jump to present day.." is of Sandra greeting her Mother at the cab (not Sandra helping her sister out of a cab) and at the home "Pedro" asks the Mother (not sister) if she bought him anything.

This documentary featuring ventriloquist Sandra Luckow and her figure (the correct term for a ventriloquist's dummy) has Sandra exploring the goals and careers of both established as well as up and coming ventriloquists. Through this journey she finds herself at the annual Ventriloquist Convention (which has now been running for over 30 years and visited by professionals from all over the world).

Sandra takes a light hearted and entertaining look into the hopes and dreams of ventriloquists and their different approaches to utilising this ancient craft.

An accomplished and skilled ventriloquist herself, Sandra's pal "Pedro" (with little to no lip movement from Sandra) is very real despite his unusual appearance and banters with other vents in a jovial manner.

For an insight to the world of ventriloquism this movie is a must. Candid and well presented Sandra and Pedro offer the viewer a real world into this small world of the entertainment industry.

A terrible documentary, which focuses on it's not talented director.

[UNOhwen · 7 February 2012]

I normally try to be nice, but, the person who made this - the director, and, one of the 'stars' of this documentary about ventriloquism - Ms. Sandra Luckow, is easily one of ... well, not only one of the WORST ventriloquists, but, one of the CREEPIEST I've ever seen.

I love documentaries - especially those a little off-beat. Those about subjects that are not normally given the focus they should, always are tops in my. 'must see.'

The premise of this - about ventriloquists - is interesting.

HOWEVER... not only is Ms Luckow a TERRIBLE ventriloquist (her dummy, a 70's bedecked Puerto Rican... MALE (?!?), the other 'artists' she speaks with are -for the most part - awful.

It begins with a short bio of Sandra, in which she tells how difficult her childhood was, and, how having this dummy made things easier.

Jump to the present day. Sandra's helping her sister out of a cab, with 'Pedro' (I forgot it's name, so, let's just say it's Pedro) on her arm.

They return to Sandra's home, in which Pedro asks if (the sister) brought him anything.

When I think back to the ventriloquists I've seen (and, to be honest: outside of Shari Lewis, Paul Winchell, and Edgar Bergen, I don't know of any more), they ALL had same-gender puppets (Ok, Shari's were 'cartoon' characters,but,still).

To have this dummy speak in a very unnatural male voice is really disturbing. She's absolutely NO charm, NO...anything.

There's so little substance on the history of ventriloquism rather, much of the focus is on Sandra, and her horrible act.

Terrible.