The kind of heart and humor-centered documentary that audiences will love and indie film fans will deeply appreciate.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 7, 2020

Quirky, if uneven.

| Jul 6, 2011

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 3, 2011

While the filmmakers do a good job showcasing their subjects' talents, I found the movie a bit lacking in exploring their personal lives and motivations.

| Original Score: B- | May 27, 2011

I imagine there is an audience that's dying to find out where the next great ventriloquist is coming from, but "Dumbstruck" does not have much appeal for folks who aren't already fascinated by this topic.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | May 20, 2011

Doesn't plumb much below the surface of the subject, but remains an interesting curiosity.

| Original Score: B | May 16, 2011

"Dumbstruck" will give you an appreciation in the effort and talent needed to be a ventriloquist.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 13, 2011

Instead of shooting for real insight, the smoothly-edited doc maintains a pleasant course, as troubled artists continually navigate between compromise and concession.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 25, 2011

Dumbstruck actually pays more convincing tribute to those willing to honor their interior calling regardless of the hardship.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 25, 2011

This winning documentary about people and their puppets proves both absorbing and moving.

| Apr 25, 2011

A grounded, sometimes painfully honest look at a group of people dedicating themselves to a profession that the rest of the world doesn't completely understand.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 22, 2011

You may roll your eyes -- but damn, when that dummy belts out "At Last," it's much more likely your jaw will drop.

| Apr 22, 2011

"Dumbstruck" is a documentary tailor-made for dummies and those who love them dearly.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 22, 2011

What a bunch of dummies.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 22, 2011

Relies on traditional, compelling storytelling to help us relate to a group of people who are about as far from traditional as you can imagine, but they are compelling.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 22, 2011

An earnest but undeniably eye-rolling documentary about the denizens of this odd pocket of show business.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 22, 2011

Though centering on ventriloquism, it is clear that director Mark Goffman's film could just as easily be about anything.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 21, 2011

The writer and director, Mark Goffman, sticks to a no-frills style that makes the film feel longer than its 1 hour 24 minutes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 21, 2011

[VIDEO] Dumbstruck [presents] an eye-opening view on its much maligned brand of creative expression.

| Apr 21, 2011

It is impossible not to fall in love with the characters in this film - the human ones, anyway.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 21, 2011