Watch Dumbstruck

Dumbstruck is a heartwarming documentary film that explores the world of ventriloquism and the people who have dedicated their lives to the art form. The film follows the lives of five ventriloquists from different backgrounds and with different levels of success. The first is Terry Fator, a successful ventriloquist who won America's Got Talent in 2007 and has since performed a successful show in Las Vegas. The second is Wilma Swartz, an elderly ventriloquist who has been performing for over 50 years and now performs for nursing home residents. The other three ventriloquists are less well known but no less passionate, and each has their own unique story and struggles.

Throughout the film, we see the challenges and rewards of the ventriloquist lifestyle. Many of the ventriloquists struggle to balance their passion with their personal lives, as their puppets often take center stage. We also see the various techniques and styles that each ventriloquist employs, from traditional dummies to more modern, animatronic figures.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the relationships that develop between the ventriloquists and their puppets. For many, the puppet is more than just a prop - it is a true companion and partner on stage. We see how the ventriloquists interact with their puppets both on and off stage, often talking to them and treating them like real individuals.

Throughout the film, there are also interviews with other notable ventriloquists, including Jeff Dunham and Jay Johnson. These interviews provide insights into the history and development of ventriloquism as an art form, as well as the ongoing challenges of being a ventriloquist in a world that doesn't always take the profession seriously.

Overall, Dumbstruck is a fascinating, heartfelt look into the world of ventriloquism and the people who have dedicated their lives to it. The film is sure to leave audiences with a newfound respect for the art form and the individuals who practice it.

Dumbstruck is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 47.