Dummy Review - In a kind of true tale, Anna Kendrick hangs out with a talking mannequin!

The hot body of her boyfriend's mannequin (named Barbara) makes Cody feel self-conscious. Cody’s adventure takes an unexpected turn as the mannequin starts talking to her. I know, it sounds nuts and surreal. In spite of the fact that everything seems to be a fantasy, what lies behind it is really genuine and profound. Incredible in so many ways, it's both comforting and powerful. We are going to need a lot more seasons of this show thanks to Kendrick's superb performance.

ALL TYPES OF SHENANIGANS

Interestingly, Cody and Barbara have a lot of chemistry and never seem to mind getting themselves into mischief. To make matters worse, because Cody is conversing with an inanimate mannequin, she comes off as a really bonkers individual. It's expected as Cody is a writer. Well...kind of. It is easy to forget that the Dummy mannequin is only an inanimate item when you get a peek of how others see Cody and Barbara's predicament. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to forget about the differences between the two.

One of the show's best parts was having a therapist that Cody confides in which improved the show's sense of realism. To her credit, Cody never ceased pointing out that she was just hearing Barbara speak to her as a method of conveying the inner concerns and feelings she was experiencing. This was especially true when it came time to pen her TV pilot.

While the Dummy is not based on actual events, it does show a real woman's struggle with her own personal and professional inadequacies. It turns out the show's writer, Cody Heller, is better known as Dan Harmon's ex-girlfriend. We learned afterwards that Dan had a mannequin. Since he didn't speak, I'm going to presume his isn't the same as the Dummy's.

Quibi-exclusive Dummy isn't shy about Barbara being a mannequin that reflects Cody's incapacity to absorb its presence and what it implies for her and their relationship. Here, Cody played by Anna Kendrick, a worried pothead who overdoses on melatonin gummy sweets that have been expired. 

A stray sequin prompts her to reevaluate all she thought she knew about Dan (Donal Logue) and Barbara, who she's always been upfront with about their sexual preferences. She dismisses their first meeting as a misunderstanding, but the conversation resumes the next day. Somewhere deep within Cody, she understands that she's giving Barbara permission to focus in on and give voice to her fears. But knowing doesn't keep Barbara silent, and soon long Cody is washing her and transporting her to be fixed when she inadvertently hurts herself.

This show provides an honest and candid tone on the subject of sexual excess and the interesting dynamic of a younger, less successful woman in a relationship with an older and considerably more accomplished guy. It's from that vantage point that Dummy manages to transcend its status as a gimmicky adult comedy, despite its foul-mouthed and sexually explicit tone. In the beginning, Cody and Barbara's connection — Dan appears in just three of the first four episodes – rapidly becomes endearing despite some of its crudeness, which tries to be overly daring.

As a result, Dummy depends on the quality of its script as much as the performances of its stars. Kenneth "Kendrick" Logue is a joy to see in this film, particularly when he's pitted against Barbara's PS2-quality CGI visage. In tough times, many individuals may find relief in learning how to handle their love relationships being intruded by a mannequin. While it isn't groundbreaking, it is an interesting presentation with a compelling and personal viewpoint.

WORTH A DEEPER INSPECTION

There is a lot more to this show than meets the eye. Cody worries about her relationship with Dan, as well as a few other aspects of her life. In general, she's anxious about her future. Given that Dan is a well-known author, it worries her that she will be reduced to the status of a mere "plus one". The mannequin, Barbara, acts as a channel for Cody’s anxieties and concerns. Cody can confide in her and work through her writer's block with her, allowing her to improve self-esteem and her relationship with Dan. Now imagine if Barbara can have multiple love doll head, allowing her to wear multiple hats and possess richer personalities. That can be a future direction for this show!

Although it's amusing to see Cody constantly changing agents, there is also a serious side to it. "Me Too" incidents keep leading to their dismissal. It was a fun approach to bring up an important issue while being funny. Afterwards, there came the subject of love in general. There were, of course, lots of jokes about kinks and what is and isn't suitable. At the very least, it was brought up. The Dummy has no qualms about tackling a taboo issue like love. There were also a few amusing debates about feminism with serious undercurrents.

TO DETERMINE WHY

It's easy to be sucked into a show's genre nowadays. Many of our television screens are filled with cop, medical, and superhero programs. With such an original idea, it is easy for anything like this to be overlooked or forgotten about. The Dummy is a real jewel and we like how openly it discusses many subjects. Throughout the ten-episode run, there were many chuckles to be shared. The supporting cast is equally great. In addition to Anna Kendrick, we have Meredith Hagner as Barbara and Donal Logue as a voice actor. What more can one ask for?