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In Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman, Pine himself stars as an amateur sleuth in Los Angeles dedicated to uncovering a mind-blowing mystery. Pine, known for playing quirky yet dashing heroes in films like Wonder Woman, A Wrinkle in Time, Star Trek, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, has cultivated a mystique by avoiding social media and preferring old-school technology like flip phones and disposable cameras.
What is the buzz on Poolman?
Ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival, Poolman was a hotly anticipated title drawing early comparisons to other L.A.-set comedy noirs. However, after screenings, there were whispers of confusion and frustration, with the film being critically scorned.
What is Poolman about?
Chris Pine stars as Darren, a middle-aged pool cleaner who values meditation and activism. When his quest to bring down a corrupt politician leads to encounters with a femme fatale, Darren becomes entangled in a quirky investigation involving a circle of friends.
Annette Bening and Danny DeVito outshine Chris Pine in Poolman.
Annette Bening and Danny DeVito, as a Jungian analyst and movie producer husband, bring charm to their roles as Darren’s therapist, collaborator, and figurative parents. While their performances are captivating, the characters are one-dimensional due to the script’s limitations.
Poolman is a joke that never lands.
Despite Pine’s efforts, his portrayal of Darren lacks the coolness or magnetism seen in iconic characters from similar films. The supporting characters, including promising performances, are thinly realized, making the film’s mystery confusing and difficult to invest in.
Analysis of “Poolman” Film
The cast is promising, and the concept of an everyman taking on Goliath-level corruption is compelling. However, as Pine’s film references Hollywood-set noirs like Chinatown and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, audiences are forced to acknowledge how poorly Poolman compares to its inspirations. One particular sequence in a dingy drag bar might tempt viewers to click away and revisit those classics or even indulge in The Golden Girls – a sitcom where plots make sense and punchlines hit hard and often.
Narrative Confusion and Lack of Emotional Connection
One issue with Pine’s film is the confusing narrative, not only for the bewildered hero but also for the audience trying to keep up. There are exposition dumps and insert shots to ensure viewers grasp pivotal plot twists, but the storytelling fails to align Darren’s logic or his righteous outrage. As Poolman stumbles towards its noisy climax, audiences may find amusement in its silliness, but the resolution of the mystery may leave them unsatisfied.
That the plot barely makes sense might have been forgivable if Pine could draw out exhilarating energy and distinctive wackiness from his performers, akin to the works of the Coens and Anderson. Unfortunately, the cast, while charismatic, struggles to balance between broad comedy and nuanced parody, resulting in a world that is vaguely interesting but never fully realized. As a result, the audience is kept at arm’s length, treated as outsiders to the film’s inside joke.
Poolman opens nationwide on May 10.
