The Ventriloquist

Whatever happened to Kevin Spacey ? One of the very elite group of actors to have won both the Best Supporting Actor and the Best Actor at the Oscars he moved to Britain to work in theatre where he quickly became forgotten about and the only headlines he made was in a starring role as a victim of a mugging . I for one can't remember the last thing I saw him in

This short film stars Spacey as an unnamed ventriloquist who spends his days sitting on a bench talking to his dummy . In many ways it's similar to the Richard Attenborough directed film from 1978 MAGIC that starred Anthony Hopkins and you're left wondering what character is controlling the other and you can probably quickly work out where the story might be heading . That said one wonders if writer/director Benjamin Leavitt has made the film as a prequel of sorts to a main feature and I certainly was left with a feeling of wanting more

As a footnote there's a disclaimer in the credits stating any characters and events to real life characters and events are coincidental which caused me to laugh . Watch this short film to see why

It is a great challenge to try to move your audience in 10 minutes and "The Ventriloquist" does exactly that. With Kevin Spacey as the lead actor it is hard to produce a piece of bad artwork, but without the wonderful writing and cinematography this short film would not be nearly as wonderful as it truly is. All the actors in "The Ventriloquist" do not have as big of role in the film as Spacey does, but they further more enhance the personality of Spacey's character. The costumes are wonderful and greatly enhance the look and feel of the short film. The dialog exchanged between Spacey and the puppet are comical but yet serious which gives this short film a great feel. So if you have a few minutes sit back and enjoy.

"The Ventriloquist" is a darkly comedic short film that masterfully explores the intricacies of human nature through the art of ventriloquism. Kevin Spacey delivers an exceptional performance as the protagonist, portraying the eerie and tragic connection between himself and his puppet. Benjamin Leavitt's direction creates an unsettling atmosphere with dimly lit settings, emphasizing the narrative's emotional depth. The film's ending is thought-provoking, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, leaving viewers pondering the complexities of identity. The recurring motif of the red bow beautifully symbolizes the intertwined identities of the ventriloquist and his puppet. "The Ventriloquist" is a captivating and enigmatic exploration of the human experience, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate thought-provoking cinema.