Pipe Dream
David Kulovic (Martin Donovan) seems an affable sort, a New York City plumber with a steady business. Yet one more time he overhears a potential girlfriend mentioning how the relationship can't work because he's just a plumber, like some other--lower--class of individual. One day Jimmy bursts in on a casting session because his friend, the casting director (Kevin Carroll), owes him money. The young actresses immediately think he is someone important, a producer or director. So the idea hatches: fake casting sessions to meet girls. Director John Walsh's film (co-written with Cynthia Kaplan) is never as shallow as the set-up might seem, and to mention more of the plot would spoil the surprises of this gem for romantic-comedy enthusiasts. It's a superb role for Donovan, a staple of filmmaker Hal Hartley's (Trust) who had his biggest brush with mainstream fame as Al Pacino's partner inInsomnia(released the same year, 2002). Mary-Louise Parker turns in another delightful performance as a neighbor of David's who holds the key to his scheme that quickly snowballs, and Rebecca Gayheart gives her best performance as the object of David's affection. The film has a false note or two, but certainly makes beautiful music.--Doug Thomas