'PIPE DREAM' SMARTLY TAPS UNREALITY OF FILM.

Byline: Evan Henerson Staff Writer

ITS UNLIKELY PREMISE notwithstanding, ``Pipe Dream'' is a canny movie made by - and with - smart people.

We are asked to take several leaps of faith, both personal and professional: that a buzz-generating Hollywood film could spring almost literally from thin air and that a mismatched couple could still end up together after they've slept together in practically the film's first scene.

Of course we root for David Kulovic, the plumber-turned-film director, and Toni Edelman, the industrial film editor-turned-screenwriter. David and Toni are an occasionally fallible but still winning pair played with much chemistry by Martin Donovan (``The Opposite of Sex,'' ``Insomnia'') and Mary-Louise Parker (``Fried Green Tomatoes,'' ``The Five Senses''). And with the creation of ingenue Marliss Funt (played by Rebecca Gayheart), screenwriter/director John C. Walsh wins the movie name derby for the year.

The setup: David Kulovic is a nice guy drain unclogger with a working- class chip on his shoulder. It seems the denizens of New York's tonier households routinely treat David much like the contents of the toilets our hero is unclogging. David is too nice to seethe - but not above a little opportunism.

Calling in a favor from casting director friend RJ Martling (Kevin Carroll), David arranges a mock casting session for a fictional film. David's aim: dates, since the gorgeous parcel of actresses invariably flirt with the person they think is the director. To lend some authenticity to the proceedings, David steals ``sides'' (script samples) from his neighbor Toni's script.

Turns out the scenes are good, the script and unknown director gain some strong word-of-mouth, a computer maven throws some money at the project and - voila! - ``Pipe Dream'' goes into production with David Kulovic (renamed David Coppolberg) at the helm. A still-randy David casts beautiful dim-bulb Marliss as the film's lead while Toni - who plays the behind-the-camera Cyrano during the film shooting ruse - fumes. Then again, Toni had her chance with David and blew it.

It's kind of beyond the point whether you share Walsh's contention that Hollywood's players are really this stupid, or that an actress named Marliss Funt could be pacified by the direction, ``Let it flow. Don't leak.'' Walsh (``Ed's Next Move'') and co-writer Cynthia Kaplan clearly understand the nuances of low-budget Hollywood wheeling and dealing. And we suspect they've done their homework on plumbing as well. ``Pipe Dream'' is funny and also heartwarming without stooping to gooeyness.

Parker and Donovan play the material with a kind of earthy slyness. She may be savvier than he where filmmaking is concerned, but his straightforward approach to life and business make him every bit her match. Donovan has a regular-guy air about him that convinces us that he could be our neighborhood plumber. Parker, who filmed ``Pipe Dream'' while playing the disturbed daughter in ``Proof on Broadway'' has a 1940s smartness and sophistication. Gayheart's sweetly dim Marliss completes the love triangle.

PIPE DREAM - Three and one half stars

(R: sex, language)

Starring: Martin Donovan, Mary-Louise Parker, Rebecca Gayheart.

Director: John C. Walsh.

Running time: 1 hr. 35 min.

Playing: Loews Cineplex Beverly Center, Edwards Park Place 10 Irvine.

In a nutshell: A throwback comedy and a ``could happen'' Hollywood scenario with charm to burn. Leads Parker and Donovan are delightful.