Details
Movie Description
The story of two brothers (Derick Martini as Chris, Steve Martini as Tony) who share a unique and affectionate bond, the title SMILING FISH AND GOAT ON FIRE reflects the nicknames given to them by their grandmother. Living together in Los Angeles, Chris and Tony are searching for a some sort of change or breakthrough in their acting and musical careers and with their love lives. When a series of new people enter their lives, most notably Clive (Bill Henderson) they find inspiration and new direction. The film was directed by Kevin Jordan, with whom the Martini brothers co-wrote and co-produced it on a minuscule budget of only $40,000.
Synopsis
Kevin Jordan's debut feature is a shining example of what independent filmmaking is all about. Shot in just 12 days for $40,000, the film tells the story of two brothers living together in Los Angeles, affectionately nicknamed Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire by their grandmother. Tony (Smiling Fish) is a happy-go-lucky ne'er-do-well who spends his time hanging out on roofs throwing boomerangs, writing silly songs, and basically taking life as it comes in between the rare acting audition. Chris (Goat on Fire) is the serious older brother, an accountant who is trying to rekindle his relationship with his high school sweetheart. Into Chris's life walks Anna, a beautiful animal wrangler, and Clive, an elderly man who used to work sound in the early days of black cinema. Into Tony's life marches Natalie, a charming nine-year-old budding actress, and her mailwoman mother, Kathy. Suddenly Tony and Chris must reevaluate their relationships, their careers, and just what it is they want out of life. Chris and Tony are played by real-life brothers Derick and Steven Martini, respectively, who both cowrote the film with Jordan. The closeness of the brothers is what drives the film, as even the simplest of scenes are filled with a subtle charm. The film is nearly stolen by longtime actor and singer Bill Henderson as Clive, who serves as a model of stability and sensibility for Chris and Anna while regaling them with fabulous stories of the days of Paul Robeson.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterboxed
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Theatrical Release: August 25, 2000 (NY/LA):
Bill Henderson, who appears as Clive Winter in the film, sings the closing credits song "A Closer Walk with Thee," as well as two other songs on the soundtrack.
The opening credits begin with the line "Martin Scorsese presents"--director Kevin Jordan served as an apprentice on Scorsese's KUNDUN.
Director Kevin Jordan makes a cameo in the film as an actor auditioning for a role.
Steven Martini cowrote, with Chris Horvath, and performs the final song heard over the closing credits.
When they were teenagers Steven and Kevin would act out scenes from such films as GOODFELLAS, THE GODFATHER, and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS for auditions and practice.
The character of Clive Winter was based somewhat on the real Clive Winter, a soundman who worked on KUNDUN, where Kevin Jordan met him.
Producer Jeff Dowd, known as The Dude, was the basis for Jeff Bridges's character in THE BIG LEBOWSKI.
Steven Martini and Kevin Jordan went to high school together at Professional Children's School in New York.
The film was shot in just 12 days on Super16 film, for just $40,000.
The film was first shown at the Toronto Film Festival, in 1999, where it won the Discovery Award.
Kevin Jordan's father owns a lobster restaurant in Brooklyn called the Lobster Dock, so lobsters were often sent to companies in exchange for locations and development.
Clive claims that while working with Howard Hawks on BRINGING UP BABY (he was a soundman), he was mauled by the leopard in the film.
Producer Jeff Dowd refers to the film as "Blair Witch McMullen," combining the low-budget independence of each film (THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN) with the brother-based theme of the latter.
When the film first played festivals, it was called GOAT ON FIRE AND SMILING FISH.
Industry Reviews
"...This sunny ode to brotherhood, made on a tiny budget, goes a fair distance on good vibes..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (09/01/2000)
"...This is a film of much gentleness, tenderness and keen observation into the way laughter and pain have a way of colliding into each other..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (09/01/2000)
"...The brothers Martini are effortlessly likable and convincing in the film..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (10/06/2000)
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