MOVIE REVIEWS : ‘Voyage of the Heart’ . . . Was This Trip Necessary?

“Voyage of the Heart” (at the AFI USA Independent Showcase at Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica) is so amateurish that it makes its potentially touching story ring false at every turn, thanks to inept acting, writing and direction.

Writer Geoffrey Francis Dunn lacks the skill and experience to effectively develop what is a good story idea. A pretty college student on a research project meets a rugged, 60-plus Monterey Bay fisherman and they fall in love. As their relationship progresses, we find out how veteran independent fishermen are being driven out of business. Dunn is better at illuminating this background issue than in writing fresh, credible dialogue.

However, neither he nor the actors get much help from Mark Schwartz’s flat, uninspired direction. The film is a dramatic feature debut for both Schwartz and Dunn, who have collaborated on a number of documentaries, most notably the amusing and provocative “Miss or Myth?,” about the Miss California pageant and the lively protest staged against it several seasons ago.

A robust Bill Ackridge looks the part of the fisherman, but he’s no Richard Farnsworth. Cast as a voluble Italian-American, he comes across as pure prosciutto. The stunning Djuna Djordjevic may have potential, but she’s too often awkward and unconvincing here. Hollywood veteran Jeremy Slate offers a crisp bit as a no-nonsense fish and game commissioner. Randy Masters’ hearts-and-flowers score lays on the sentimentality very thick.

“Voyage of the Heart” (Times-rated Mature for adult themes) has been gorgeously photographed in picturesque Monterey Bay by Gene Evans, whose professionalism makes the film’s many failings stand out all the more.

‘Voyage of the Heart’

Bill Ackridge: Dominic Zapelli

Djuna Djordjevic: Zandy Thompson

Geoffrey Dunn: Tony Masa

Liz Rolfe: Stella Masa

A Teacup Films presentation. Producer-director Mark Schwartz. Executive producer George Ow Jr. Screenplay Geoffrey Francis Dunn. Cinematographer Gene Evans. Editor Mona Lynch. Music Randy Masters. Production design George Arthur, Edith Hutton. Sound Bayard Carey. Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Times-rated Mature (for adult themes).