"Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire" Review
By Erin Chang
When I saw this film a couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised. With a name like "Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire," I had a few strange ideas about this film before I even saw it. But as I watched I really got interested in the characters. This indie is a heart-warming tale about two brothers (Played by Derrick and Steven Martini--true brothers in real life) that are on the quest for true love with the perfect someone. The film highlights their messed up relationships, and their ongoing brotherly friendship. A prime character in the piece is played by the admired jazz vocalist Bill Henderson who helps Chris (Derrick Martini) find love.
The two brothers are nothing like each other, Tony Remi (Steven Martini) has an unstable life as an actor and he does not see the consequences of his "wandering eye" with girls. Tony received the name "Smiling Fish" by his Native American grandmother because of his carefree attitude. On the other hand, Chris Remi (Derrick Martini) is the responsible brother with a serious relationship. Chris is uptight and serious about life; hence his grandmother gave him the name "Goat on Fire". Some of the best moments in the film are when the brothers interact with each other. A classic moment is when Tony wrestles Chris to the floor just to get a hug from him. These brotherly moments do not last forever. Tony finally finds the woman of his dreams, Kathy (Christa Miller) who has a young daughter. When Kathy’s daughter does not get much work as an actor, they set off to Wyoming and Tony has to finally make a responsible decision in his life. Meanwhile, Chris’s serious relationship with Allison (Amy Hathaway) is on the rocks, and Chris decides to be a little more care free with his life. When Chris meets Anna (Rosemarie Addeo) an Italian beauty who works as an animal wrangler his life could not be happier. Chris then has to learn how to juggle two women at a time, and make a decision that could change everything that was so routine in his life.
This comedy was put together with a lot of team effort. The script was written by Derrick and Steven Martini and their longtime friend Kevin Jordan (Director). Both Steven Martini and Bill Henderson composed some of the music. All the actors and crew had to work under a tight budget and film all the scenes in only 12 days.
In my interview with Christa Miller (The Drew Carrey Show), she explains the joys of working on an independent film. Miller claims that on the set, you have no personal dressing room where you can run away to, everyone just hangs out all over the set. The hours are also a lot longer since you are working on such a tight budget. You have got to know your lines because you can’t keep wasting precious time and tape!
When I walked to the house where I interviewed the cast, I met Steven first and it was as if I was watching the film all over again. Steven like his character Tony, was very carefree and talkative, while Derrick was talking business on his cell phone, just like his uptight character Chris.
The Broken Hearts Club
An amazingly funny film about the friendship, hardship and relationship struggles of gay guys. This film has a gorgeous cast of testosterone: Tim Olyphant (GO, SCREAM 2): Dean Cain ("Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"); John Mahoney ("Frasier", TIN MEN); Andrew Keegan (TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, "Party of Five"), Zach Braff (GETTING TO KNOW YOU); Matt McGrath (BOYS DON’T CRY); Ben Weber ("Sex and the City"); Billy Porter (Broadway Singer) and also featuring the female talent of Mary McCormack (PRIVATE PARTS) and Nia Long (BOILER ROOM, THE BEST MAN, BOYZ IN THE HOOD).
This film was written and directed by Greg Berlanti (Writer and Producer of "Dawson’s Creek"). Berlanti wanted to write a film about some of his struggles as a gay man in America and the friendships that brought him through the tough times. It is true that Berlanti definitely wrote a film that any audience could relate to. You don’t have to be gay to understand love, friendship and the need to be accepted for who you are.
Berlanti creatively weaves the stories and characters together in The Broken Hearts Club to successfully provide loads of laughter and tears for the audience. A must see Sony Pictures Classic to be released in late September 2000.
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