Saw this in preview at the Seattle Film Festival, and was wowed by Parker and Donovan -- also found the script immensely smarter and funnier than most of what passes for romantic comedy these days. This movie deserves a wide audience, I hope it gets a chance to find it.
16 Reviews
Nice romantic Comedy...
roman-158 February 2005
We caught "Pipe Dream" on the Cable last night. I must say it was entertaining, well written and extremely well acted.
The funny part is that the whole movie *also* has an "indie" aura that's supposed to be in the film thats being filmed.
Very good acting. The only actor that doesn't really "fit" is the plumber. He has a cultural level WAY above I would guess 95% of NY Plumbers. But besides that, all the rest is very good.
Even though it's not a *great* movie, it surely is way above 70% of what's being made today.
I would expect more fine screenplays from the same author...
Nice and entertaining...
The funny part is that the whole movie *also* has an "indie" aura that's supposed to be in the film thats being filmed.
Very good acting. The only actor that doesn't really "fit" is the plumber. He has a cultural level WAY above I would guess 95% of NY Plumbers. But besides that, all the rest is very good.
Even though it's not a *great* movie, it surely is way above 70% of what's being made today.
I would expect more fine screenplays from the same author...
Nice and entertaining...
A film in search of an ending
wizard4231 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is a charming little comedy. The cast is first rate, the script witty, and the concept unique. The premise is absurd, which is part of the films appeal. There are two major drawbacks to the film. It doesn't show how the buzz is truly generated for the film within the film. It shows the buzz building, but doesn't explain it. This is in part required by the absurdity of the plot but it would have been nice for a realistic build up to have occurred. The other problem is that, like so many comedies, the creative team had no idea how to end the film. As a result, you get an ending that is abrupt, and which only partially builds on what went on in the film. It makes sense for the leads to end up together, but not for Mary-Louise Parker's character to end up actually directing. It would have been truer to her character for her to still need Martin Donovan's character as a front. These complaints, however, do nothing to take away from the enjoyment of the film.
Light and appealing
jmatrixrenegade23 November 2003
A gentle little parable about what the "perception categories" of regular people as well as those in the movie business that was in the theaters for a short period of time and currently is playing on cable and so forth. Martin Donovan plays a plumber, though more of a quiet and introspective one than many might know, who in upset that people look down on him because of his profession. He seizes on a chance to see what would happen if people so him differently, and maybe get a pretty woman in the process, by pretending to be a director of a new independent film. Things get complicated when the film is actually funded ...
Martin Donovan is a bit too laid back in this film, but it adds to the low key nature of the film that gives it charm. Mary-Louise Parker plays his neighbor, who gets to show another side of herself as well, being the author of the screenplay and the director behind the scenes. She plays her usual strong woman with self esteem problems role (mixed and match in other projects with her woman with mental or physical problems role) well. Parker does much better here, I think than her underwritten "West Wing" role. The supporting characters also are good, while Jill Hennessey (formerly of "Law and Order" and in a few indies herself) has a funny cameo as an actress.
The film starts to drag a bit toward the end, but it is enjoyable overall with a nice understated overall tone throughout.
Martin Donovan is a bit too laid back in this film, but it adds to the low key nature of the film that gives it charm. Mary-Louise Parker plays his neighbor, who gets to show another side of herself as well, being the author of the screenplay and the director behind the scenes. She plays her usual strong woman with self esteem problems role (mixed and match in other projects with her woman with mental or physical problems role) well. Parker does much better here, I think than her underwritten "West Wing" role. The supporting characters also are good, while Jill Hennessey (formerly of "Law and Order" and in a few indies herself) has a funny cameo as an actress.
The film starts to drag a bit toward the end, but it is enjoyable overall with a nice understated overall tone throughout.
Before "Saved!" 2004, Martin Donovan and Mary Louise Parker were paired in "Pipe Dream"
ruby_fff9 April 2006
It is a breezy comedy about identity crisis - a plumber, a screenwriter, a casting professional. Using the process/journey of making a film as the storyline, tying the various characters and relationship concerns together, "Pipe Dream" is rather amusingly fun. Watching Martin Donovan and Mary Louise Parker interact is a treat. They are both the leads in this film, front and centered. Their enjoyable pairing in supporting roles can be appreciated in w-d Brian Dannelly's "Saved!" 2004. Both appeared in Jane Campion's "Portrait of a Lady" 1996 with Nicole Kidman.
Martin Donovan is a staple collaborator in Hal Hartley's films: "Amateur" 1994, "Simple Men" 1992, "Trust" 1991 (highly recommended. NFE: Not for everyone.) He's also remarkable in director Angela Pope's "Hollow Reed" 1995, about child custody situation, where Martin delivered a firm and sensitive role of a divorced father/doctor who lives with a male partner (heart-rending, excellent child performance from Sam Bould as Oliver, the 9-year old son). Donovan co-wrote (with David Koepp) and directed a film called "Apartment Zero" 1988, with Colin Firth in the lead - another NFE but for dark/psycho ventures/suspense (in Buenos Aires) if you're gamed.
Mary Louise Parker is ever so marvelous and underrated. She's in w-d Jeremy Podeswa's "Five Senses" 1999 (Canadian production), Herbert Ross's "Boys on the Side" 1994 (written by Don Roos) with Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore, Jon Avnet's "Fried Green Tomatoes" 1991 with a stellar women cast.
For an Asian (Hong Kong) flavor of a movie/comedy drama using process of making a film as storyline, try the forever versatile and talented Leslie Cheung in "Viva Erotica" aka "Se Qing Nan Nu" 1996.
Martin Donovan is a staple collaborator in Hal Hartley's films: "Amateur" 1994, "Simple Men" 1992, "Trust" 1991 (highly recommended. NFE: Not for everyone.) He's also remarkable in director Angela Pope's "Hollow Reed" 1995, about child custody situation, where Martin delivered a firm and sensitive role of a divorced father/doctor who lives with a male partner (heart-rending, excellent child performance from Sam Bould as Oliver, the 9-year old son). Donovan co-wrote (with David Koepp) and directed a film called "Apartment Zero" 1988, with Colin Firth in the lead - another NFE but for dark/psycho ventures/suspense (in Buenos Aires) if you're gamed.
Mary Louise Parker is ever so marvelous and underrated. She's in w-d Jeremy Podeswa's "Five Senses" 1999 (Canadian production), Herbert Ross's "Boys on the Side" 1994 (written by Don Roos) with Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore, Jon Avnet's "Fried Green Tomatoes" 1991 with a stellar women cast.
For an Asian (Hong Kong) flavor of a movie/comedy drama using process of making a film as storyline, try the forever versatile and talented Leslie Cheung in "Viva Erotica" aka "Se Qing Nan Nu" 1996.
Like tofu
=G=20 June 2003
"Pipe Dream" tells a simple tale of a plumber (Donovan) who falls in like with a screen writer (Parker) and, using her script for phony movie auditions as a way to meet babes, ends up directing an indie which may just be the next big thing. Like so much tofu, "Pipe Dream" is bland, light, reasonably palatable, and isn't likely to win any awards for its food group. An easy-going, good natured flick with little to fault and little to praise, "Pipe Dream" makes for an enjoyable though forgettable 90 minute watch. (B-)
I'm supposed to feel sorry for a guy who boinks Mary-Louise Parker?
MBunge15 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is a movie where people come up with a great premise, then follow that with a sub-mediocre script. It's not nearly as smart as it thinks it is and never figures out whether it wants to be satirical or sentimental. It has waaaay too much implied humor where there's no actual punch line but the audience is expected to laugh simply at recognizing the situation. The main character has no redeeming qualities and his leading lady, while much more interesting, is given one of those scenes where she has to be a moronic nymphomaniac in order to remain involved with him. It also has that hallmark of the poorly written screenplay - the supporting character who's essential to the first half of the plot and then disappears from the second half of the movie.
David Kulovic (Martin Donovan) is a plumber who is sick and tired of being treated like hired help. So, he enlists his casting director buddy RJ (Kevin Carroll) in a scam where David will play the director of a non-existent film and RJ will line up aspiring actresses to audition for him. The goal is to get David a roll in the hay, though it's never at all clear how the second half of that will ever happen. I mean, unless he's going to have sex with them during the audition, I don't see how this complicated a deception can be sustained long enough to get David laid.
That problem quickly leads to David and RJ having to welcome a third person into their scheme. Toni (Mary-Louise Parker) is a woman with a script but no prospects of ever seeing it produced. They use her writing as the basis of the scam, but it runs away from them and they wind up actually making it into a movie. David pretends to be the director with Toni covertly telling him everything he should do. As David tries to get into the pants of his starring actress (Rebecca Gayheart), Toni finds herself becoming more and more attracted to him. Then (surprise!) the whole con job falls apart and Toni winds up disgusted with David. Will it all work out in the end? Have you ever seen a romantic comedy before?
Mary-Louise Parker does her spectacularly sexy best and the story is consistently, but only marginally, amusing. That should have been enough material to work with, but there are just too many times when the storytelling is off or not at all thought out for Pipe Dream to ever work. Let me highlight the two biggest problems.
David and Toni start out the film as neighbors and after Toni's boyfriend breaks up with her, she and David fall into bed. Almost immediately after that, we get David complaining about his lowly social status to RJ and hatching the plan where he gets to boink an actress. How in the world is the viewer supposed to identify or sympathize with David's complaints WHEN HE JUST HAD SEX WITH A WOMAN WHO LOOKS LIKE MARY-LOUISE PARKER? If I had sex with Mary-Louise Parker, you could set my hair on fire and I wouldn't complain about a damn thing. It fatally undermines the whole concept of the story and of David's character. Now, if David and Toni don't have sex or if David's fraudulent film idea has nothing to do with sex and is only about him feeling important, that would have worked. As it is, the audience either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the cornerstone of the entire plot.
Then later on, after Toni finds herself being more and more attracted to David, he tells her that he finally had sex with the lead actress. Upon hearing that news, Toni throws herself at David and jumps his bones. I will admit that I know very little about the mind of Womankind. If a woman is infatuated with me and I tell her I just boffed some floozy, will that really increase her desire for my body? Is that how it works? 'Cause if it is, I've been doing things all wrong. It also doesn't help that David spends most of the film seemingly indifferent to Toni. He displays as much romantic interest in her as he does in RJ.
Those two examples are the sort of poor writing that occurs quite a few times throughout Pipe Dream, crippling it from the start and keeping it from becoming anything worth watching. Fortunately, there's about a billion other little indy flicks out there that cover virtually this same territory and not all of them suck.
David Kulovic (Martin Donovan) is a plumber who is sick and tired of being treated like hired help. So, he enlists his casting director buddy RJ (Kevin Carroll) in a scam where David will play the director of a non-existent film and RJ will line up aspiring actresses to audition for him. The goal is to get David a roll in the hay, though it's never at all clear how the second half of that will ever happen. I mean, unless he's going to have sex with them during the audition, I don't see how this complicated a deception can be sustained long enough to get David laid.
That problem quickly leads to David and RJ having to welcome a third person into their scheme. Toni (Mary-Louise Parker) is a woman with a script but no prospects of ever seeing it produced. They use her writing as the basis of the scam, but it runs away from them and they wind up actually making it into a movie. David pretends to be the director with Toni covertly telling him everything he should do. As David tries to get into the pants of his starring actress (Rebecca Gayheart), Toni finds herself becoming more and more attracted to him. Then (surprise!) the whole con job falls apart and Toni winds up disgusted with David. Will it all work out in the end? Have you ever seen a romantic comedy before?
Mary-Louise Parker does her spectacularly sexy best and the story is consistently, but only marginally, amusing. That should have been enough material to work with, but there are just too many times when the storytelling is off or not at all thought out for Pipe Dream to ever work. Let me highlight the two biggest problems.
David and Toni start out the film as neighbors and after Toni's boyfriend breaks up with her, she and David fall into bed. Almost immediately after that, we get David complaining about his lowly social status to RJ and hatching the plan where he gets to boink an actress. How in the world is the viewer supposed to identify or sympathize with David's complaints WHEN HE JUST HAD SEX WITH A WOMAN WHO LOOKS LIKE MARY-LOUISE PARKER? If I had sex with Mary-Louise Parker, you could set my hair on fire and I wouldn't complain about a damn thing. It fatally undermines the whole concept of the story and of David's character. Now, if David and Toni don't have sex or if David's fraudulent film idea has nothing to do with sex and is only about him feeling important, that would have worked. As it is, the audience either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the cornerstone of the entire plot.
Then later on, after Toni finds herself being more and more attracted to David, he tells her that he finally had sex with the lead actress. Upon hearing that news, Toni throws herself at David and jumps his bones. I will admit that I know very little about the mind of Womankind. If a woman is infatuated with me and I tell her I just boffed some floozy, will that really increase her desire for my body? Is that how it works? 'Cause if it is, I've been doing things all wrong. It also doesn't help that David spends most of the film seemingly indifferent to Toni. He displays as much romantic interest in her as he does in RJ.
Those two examples are the sort of poor writing that occurs quite a few times throughout Pipe Dream, crippling it from the start and keeping it from becoming anything worth watching. Fortunately, there's about a billion other little indy flicks out there that cover virtually this same territory and not all of them suck.
This is the worst film i have ever seen
laurastar10029 December 2002
I am sorry to fans of this film but it is the worst thing i have ever seen. Slow,badly cast and badly acted it is a film trying to escape the deadbeat romcoms of the recent years and failing! McDonald and Parker seem unable to convey real emotion and are lifeless. They seem to be in this one for any pay checks they are getting for it and not because they thought it was a good idea. The plot is DULL!! i love great chick films as much as the next girl and this is not one!! If you avoid one film this year....let it be
A charming comedy with wit and style.
hemphill-126 February 2002
This is an extremely charming comedy that delivers on every level: as a witty, touching love story (Martin Donovan and Mary Louise Parker are both fantastic and have terrific chemistry), as a perceptive satire on filmmaking, and as a thoughtful look at the ways we perceive the people with whom we come into contact every day. The film's examination of how we perceive those around us is sharp and complex but never preachy---the movie's message is communicated through thoroughly absorbing drama rather than pontification. The direction is elegant and expressive without being self-conscious---the director doesn't have to force his effects because the characters are strong and the lush cinematography makes us fall in love with each and every one of them. The film goes in unexpected directions without feeling contrived and generates big, smart laughs. "Pipe Dream" is a real winner.
Refreshingly sweet...........
LilsZoo220 August 2003
A movie being made about a movie being made, behind the scenes stuff that you never get to see made this soulfully made and sharply done little film a hit for me. The actors found ways to get to you, an all around great and believable job each and every one. Much fun here to be enjoyed. Highly recomended for a great movie watch. Bring the popcorn and have a sit!
Director in search of stars
jotix1002 April 2005
"Pipe Dream", directed by John Walsh with a screen play by Cynthia Kaplan presents us with the amusing premise that anyone can direct a film if one puts one mind's to it, or if the hype behind it makes it a "hot property". The film is a satirical study of the people behind the movie making deals.
We are presented with a plumber, David, whose job is perceived as such an unimportant one in comparison to the glamorous jobs in the movie business, even if it's an Indie that even Robert Redford might be interested in producing himself. David, the plumber, after spending a night with Toni Edelman in her apartment, overhears her giving a review of his performance to a girlfriend. He doesn't like what he hears! After all, he considers himself a good lover. How can he get dates with a lot of young and attractive women?, well, make believe one is a film director in search of stars for his movie.
David takes the matter into his own hands and with the help of his friend, a casting director, he makes up a non existing film based on the script he steals from Toni. Little does Toni knows what's going on behind her back until she finds out. In the meantime, all the hip talent agencies are running amok because suddenly "Pipe Dream", the still 'pipe dream' of a film, is becoming the project that everyone wants to be involved in.
Martin Donovan, as David, and Mary-Louise Parker, as Toni, make a delightful pair at the center of the story. Both performers are good at playing comedy, something that Mr. Donovan doesn't get to do often because we always tend to see him portraying intense characters. On the other hand, Ms. Parker is such an accomplished actress, she can do anything at all. The rest of the cast is excellent.
The film is a lot of fun that could have used a different resolution, but we feel good spending the hour and a half in the company of a lot of talented young actors, most of them based in New York.
We are presented with a plumber, David, whose job is perceived as such an unimportant one in comparison to the glamorous jobs in the movie business, even if it's an Indie that even Robert Redford might be interested in producing himself. David, the plumber, after spending a night with Toni Edelman in her apartment, overhears her giving a review of his performance to a girlfriend. He doesn't like what he hears! After all, he considers himself a good lover. How can he get dates with a lot of young and attractive women?, well, make believe one is a film director in search of stars for his movie.
David takes the matter into his own hands and with the help of his friend, a casting director, he makes up a non existing film based on the script he steals from Toni. Little does Toni knows what's going on behind her back until she finds out. In the meantime, all the hip talent agencies are running amok because suddenly "Pipe Dream", the still 'pipe dream' of a film, is becoming the project that everyone wants to be involved in.
Martin Donovan, as David, and Mary-Louise Parker, as Toni, make a delightful pair at the center of the story. Both performers are good at playing comedy, something that Mr. Donovan doesn't get to do often because we always tend to see him portraying intense characters. On the other hand, Ms. Parker is such an accomplished actress, she can do anything at all. The rest of the cast is excellent.
The film is a lot of fun that could have used a different resolution, but we feel good spending the hour and a half in the company of a lot of talented young actors, most of them based in New York.
A very witty comedy set with a backdrop of a movie set
crystalynny13 June 2002
I saw this film last night at the Seattle International Film Festival, and was absolutely delighted at the wit and wry humour that this film possessed. Each of the characters is endearingly flawed - ("this person could be me") and adds a lovely human factor. I guess this film is only going to be limited in it's release initially, but seriously, if you have a chance to see it - it'll brighten your week. It's very off-the-cuff, not contrived a bit and NOTHING like your usual romantic comedy. . .The characters are actually bright and original. The screenwriter, Cynthia Kaplan, was at the screening that night, and it was very apparent that there will be much more to come from her. She has a book evidently too: "Why I'm like this". Sign me up!
.. these guys just produce solid work time and again
bjarias29 October 2014
There's a scene towards the very end of the movie, where Mary-Louise Parker .. bit.ly/Suuvwk .. (now the director) and Martin Donovan are talking about the filming setup. It is here that you see just how good an actor she truly is... watching her very subtle and natural facial movements adding depth to her character and the role. All the cast is good and the script is sharp and witty. This is a very good movie, smartly made and very well acted. It's easily four star.. even slightly higher. That same scene at the very end of the film shows a corner street sign.. anyone from the city know what part of town that is? (Good number of family members one time lived right around the corner.)
A sweet romantic comedy-Warning-May be some spoilers
pachin16 July 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I was switching channels late one night when I came around "Pipe Dream" with Mary-Louise Parker and Martin Donovan. The plot, frankly is just a little out of the ordinary. Donovan plays a plumber who poses as a director to meet woman and Parker plays the writer who script he steals to help make the movie. It's an good plot but what puts it into another level is the amazing chemistry between Mary-Louise Parker and Martin Donovan. They work so seamlessly together that I wondered if they had a relationship in real life!
It's a very sweet understated comedy with excellent performances by the leads. If you want to see these two in another comedy, watch the movie "Saved."
It's a very sweet understated comedy with excellent performances by the leads. If you want to see these two in another comedy, watch the movie "Saved."
Most underrated unknown film
frederyknam2 March 2024
Funny, smart, witty, well acted, good jazz, good edition, good direction.
Lovely Mary-Louise. A must see. You can watch it on YouTube.
It says about the need of equal admiration on occupation.
Great chemistry between Parker and Donovan.
Bizarre and subtle criticism about overrated occupation.
Dialogues are delicious with wit and style.
This film says about being underrated of indie films,
and it makes the good indie film itself.
This movie should be re-examined by all the streaming platforms.
It deserves to be watched by more people seriously.
And the unknown director John Walsh needs to be used more.
Lovely Mary-Louise. A must see. You can watch it on YouTube.
It says about the need of equal admiration on occupation.
Great chemistry between Parker and Donovan.
Bizarre and subtle criticism about overrated occupation.
Dialogues are delicious with wit and style.
This film says about being underrated of indie films,
and it makes the good indie film itself.
This movie should be re-examined by all the streaming platforms.
It deserves to be watched by more people seriously.
And the unknown director John Walsh needs to be used more.
Want To Follow Your Dream And Get Laid? Make a Movie
Or Pretend To
madbandit2000200015 February 2011
Whether we want to admit it or not (I certainly do), anyone who's in a nowhere job wants to break out and follow their passion. "Pipe Dream", a small, quirky, rom-com indie, notes that.
A NYC plumber, David Kulovic (Martin Donovan of "Saved" and "The Haunting in Connecticut) feels invisible, being fault of the city's working class and mistreated by the power elite. After being invited to the casting office of a childhood friend, RJ (Kevin Carroll), and being "wowed" by the sexy actresses who audition there, David decides to break the dividing line by pretending to be a filmmaker in order to meet some of said thespians in audition sessions. Quite the cad
He needs samples from a script, and the only scribe David knows is fellow tenant/one night stand Antonia "Toni" Edelman (sweet, smart Mary-Louise Parker of "Weeds" and "Red"), who works as a copywriter at an equities firm, a day job she despises. Finding common ground (despite a theft issue), David, RJ and Toni set up the film production of "Pipe Dream", an odd indie comedy that attracts a naive wannabe producer who puts up the budget; Hollywood power brokers and Toni's co-worker, Marliss Funt, (Rebecca Gayheart, "Urban Legend") who charms David and gets the lead female role. Toni's jealously and David's on-the-sly filmmaking skills complicates things to hilarious results.
There have been a lot of "inside the entertainment biz" films, yet "Pipe Dreams" has a down-to-earth charm because it's about creative people trying to get in the "door". Though his direction's isn't too distinguished, helmer John C. Walsh has knitted a nice, durable script with co-scribe Cynthia Kaplan (who appears as an talent agent's secretary), echoing the screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s with some modern sitcom elements.
Donovan's sly underdog pairs well with Parker's straightforward, intellectual spunk; they carry the film. Everyone else's competent, but I really liked actress/writer Guinevere Turner ("The Notorious Bettie Page", "Chasing Amy" and "Dogma") as a snarky talent agent. Jill Hennessey ("Law & Order", "Crossing Jordan") has a nice cameo as an established thespian.
If you have dreams of fame and prosperity, watch "Pipe Dream" on a weekend afternoon and be inspired. You'll chuckle, too.
A NYC plumber, David Kulovic (Martin Donovan of "Saved" and "The Haunting in Connecticut) feels invisible, being fault of the city's working class and mistreated by the power elite. After being invited to the casting office of a childhood friend, RJ (Kevin Carroll), and being "wowed" by the sexy actresses who audition there, David decides to break the dividing line by pretending to be a filmmaker in order to meet some of said thespians in audition sessions. Quite the cad
He needs samples from a script, and the only scribe David knows is fellow tenant/one night stand Antonia "Toni" Edelman (sweet, smart Mary-Louise Parker of "Weeds" and "Red"), who works as a copywriter at an equities firm, a day job she despises. Finding common ground (despite a theft issue), David, RJ and Toni set up the film production of "Pipe Dream", an odd indie comedy that attracts a naive wannabe producer who puts up the budget; Hollywood power brokers and Toni's co-worker, Marliss Funt, (Rebecca Gayheart, "Urban Legend") who charms David and gets the lead female role. Toni's jealously and David's on-the-sly filmmaking skills complicates things to hilarious results.
There have been a lot of "inside the entertainment biz" films, yet "Pipe Dreams" has a down-to-earth charm because it's about creative people trying to get in the "door". Though his direction's isn't too distinguished, helmer John C. Walsh has knitted a nice, durable script with co-scribe Cynthia Kaplan (who appears as an talent agent's secretary), echoing the screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s with some modern sitcom elements.
Donovan's sly underdog pairs well with Parker's straightforward, intellectual spunk; they carry the film. Everyone else's competent, but I really liked actress/writer Guinevere Turner ("The Notorious Bettie Page", "Chasing Amy" and "Dogma") as a snarky talent agent. Jill Hennessey ("Law & Order", "Crossing Jordan") has a nice cameo as an established thespian.
If you have dreams of fame and prosperity, watch "Pipe Dream" on a weekend afternoon and be inspired. You'll chuckle, too.
See also
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