With every year, there comes a film that is immediately divisive with critics clamoring to rip the film to shreds writing scathing reviews filled with pithy one-liners aimed more at jumping on the bandwagon and pleasing their fellow critics. This year, the chosen film that almost everyone joined together to hate was Chris Pine‘s directorial debut Poolman.
This outpouring of hatred felt strange and unexpected as I just watched the same film and found myself laughing more than I had in a long time, feeling like I was taken on a delightful journey where Chris Pine‘s heart was clearly on display. I felt alone as the reactions poured in, everyone trying to write the most acidic reactions to the film. With this overwhelming sea of hate, there are a few of us who saw the vision–and were vibing right along with Pine and company.
Poolman Knows Exactly What it Wants to Be
With Poolman co-writer, director, and star Chris Pine gives us a glimpse into his deep love for Los Angeles, film noir, and delightfully absurd comedy. Poolman follows Darren Barrenman (Chris Pine) as he spends his days looking after the small pool of an LA apartment building, trying to add some much needed kindness and sunshine into the lives of everyone around him. He cares deeply for his community and wants to protect it from gentrification from greedy millionaires pushing people out just to make themselves richer.
Poolman is a raucous ride where you’re either on the same wacky wavelength as the film or you’re fighting against it, trying to withstand its whirlwind style of comedy.
If you think the idea of a himbo – wearing a series of unforgettable outfits including a golden cape flowing in the breeze – being given secret information to take down corruption in the Los Angeles government and using his repeat viewings of Chinatown as inspiration sounds like a blast, than this definitely is the movie for you.
As I watched Poolman, I was brought back to my own repeat viewings of a film that has shaped my love of film: Wet Hot American Summer. Like WHAS, Poolman explores a genre we all know with a unique sense of absurd humor that includes pitch perfect references, but never feels like its yelling in our face or replacing actual jokes with references disguised as jokes.
The humor in Poolman is never solely that its referencing something, and every moment feels specific and concrete for its characters. There is a localized sense of LA humor throughout Poolman, but this specificity creates memorable moments of comedy that anyone can enjoy–while thinking back to their own specific lives. When humor is too broad, it ends up not being relatable to anyone. Poolman does a great job at using each character to build hilarious moments that could only belong to them.
Darren spends his days working on a documentary with his two friends Jack (Danny Devito) and Diane (Annette Bening). There’s a charming quality to their relationship that makes their scenes together such a joy to watch. Part of this delightful energy comes from not knowing if these are his parents or just friends he made on his journey through life trying to spread kindness and topple the LA government.
Memorable Comedic Performances
Annette Bening‘s comedic timing is stellar – and her performance as Diane is one of her best. Seeing Bening‘s performance in Poolman makes me hope we get to see her cast in more roles utilizing her comedic talents. Bening‘s comedic delivery is unparalleled and the trio of Danny Devito, Chris Pine, and Annette Bening plays so perfectly off each other. Every scene with these three together is comedic brilliance. And the entire film is a wild, wacky hilarious adventure if you just let yourself go along for the ride.
Poolman is a fun homage to film history and Los Angeles and at its heart is a delightfully weird and charming performance from Chris Pine as the clueless and kindhearted titular poolman as he stumbles through the plot of a film noir. Darren is a dreamer wanting to make his beloved Los Angeles a better place and you can’t help but be engrossed in his sunny world, wanting to find the bright spots in your own life.
Chris Pine‘s directing captures the essence of classic Hollywood and the unique qualities of LA. You can tell how much he loves cinema and his home in all its forms and wants to show the world. Watching Poolman feels like an insight into Pine‘s brain and it feels like a unique and wonderful place. I hope this directorial debut is the first of many from Chris Pine.
Poolman knows exactly what it wants to be and when you’re on the same wavelength, this is a hilarious adventure with heart and a clear adoration for its setting and pools of inspiration. The film proudly displays its influences without falling into the trap of being a collection of references. Poolman never hides how much it love LA and film noir through specific humor and attention to detail when bringing its genre to life through its directing, writing, and production/costume design.
Conclusion
Poolman might not be for everyone, but for those of us who want to see a Chinatown-loving himbo finding himself in his own mystery, this is a worthy comedy filled with pitch-perfect comedic timing from the brilliant trio of Chris Pine, Annette Bening, and Danny Devito, outrageous screwball energy, and a never-ending love for Los Angeles.
Poolman had its premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
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