JUNE FENNER -- Reel critic

“Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire” is the kind of film that makes

moviegoing, especially for independent films, exciting. Every once in a

while you get that thrill that comes from seeing bright, new talent in a

fresh, original film.

In this instance, the new talents are the real life Martini brothers

-- Derick and Steve -- who, with director Kevin Jordan, co-wrote the

script about the two brothers they play.

“Smiling Fish” and “Goat on Fire” are nicknames given to the fictional

brothers by their half-Native American grandmother. Chris, the easygoing,

good-natured brother, is a Pisces; his brother Tony, a more serious type,

is a Capricorn -- thus the fish and goat connections.

The story takes its time building momentum.

As the film opens, the brothers, who live in a great old Los Angeles

Craftsman cottage, are dealing with the recent loss of their parents in

an auto accident. While the young men are clearly bright and decent guys,

neither is particularly setting the world on fire.

Chris is pursuing a career in acting and seems content to drift from

one audition to another during the day -- and hang out with his buddies

in the evening. Tony is stuck in a dead-end accounting job and an equally

nowhere relationship with his high school girlfriend.

But new experiences, including more mature romantic relationships, are

around the corner for both.

A lot of the credit for this film’s success goes to actor/jazz

musician Bill Henderson, who plays Clive, the elderly uncle of Tony’s

boss.

Clive, now relegated to a nursing home, once led an adventure-crammed

life during the early days of Hollywood filmmaking. He also shared a

passionate love affair with his wife that even death cannot end. Clive’s

gusto is the spark that builds a fire under Tony.

It has been a long time since I saw a film with a story so simple and

straight forward yet packed with such a powerful punch.

The Martini brothers will have their work cut out for them, topping

their first venture into filmmaking. But, because I suspect they possess

the same qualities found in their film characters, I think they’ll make

it.

* JUNE FENNER, a Costa Mesa resident in her late 50s, is vice

president of a work force training company.