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Bookmark this pageDummy (2008)
Director: Matthew Thompson
Movie review
From Time Out London
When their mother passes away after a lengthy illness, 18-year-old Danny (Aaron Johnson) is left in charge of his precocious 12-year-old brother Jack (Thomas Grant). Unable to cope with the responsibility, Danny finds his life spiralling into despair. Treading an awkward line between soap opera and art movie, Matthew Thompson’s debut feature, shot for a pittance on DV, is by turns predictable, pretentious and moving. The script by Michael Müller is acutely observed, dwelling on the grisly, tragic details of familial loss, while the central players are clearly committed to their roles. But Thompson’s voyeuristic eagerness to confront the harsh realities of grief presents emotional challenges his young cast are simply unable to meet, resulting in a heartfelt but ultimately unconvincing melodrama.Author: Tom Huddleston
Time Out London Issue 2027, June 25 – July 1, 2009
Cast & crew
Director: Matthew Thompson
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Moray Grant, Emma Catherwood
Genre(s): Drama
Duration: 89 mins
UK Release: Jun 26 2009
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