‘It Lasts 100 Minutes And 99 Are Bad’: Critics Target The Latest Release Of Chris Pine’s ‘PoolMan’

In a much-anticipated directorial debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Hollywood star Chris Pine aimed to make a splash with his film “PoolMan.” Unfortunately, it seems he missed the mark, and critics were quick to voice their disapproval.

Chris Pine, known for his charismatic performances in films like “Hell or High Water” and “Don’t Worry Darling,” took on an ambitious role in “PoolMan.” Not only did he star in the film, but he also co-wrote and directed it. This triple-duty endeavor might have seemed like an auteur’s dream, but according to critics, it turned into a cinematic nightmare.

“PoolMan” attempts to blend elements of daffy, rambling detective noir comedy, reminiscent of classics like “The Long Goodbye” and “Under the Silver Lake.” Pine portrays Darren Barrenman, a swimming pool attendant living in a Tiki shack near a run-down L.A. apartment complex. His character, a laid-back eccentric, is reminiscent of “The Big Lebowski’s” Dude, but unlike the iconic character, Darren falls flat and irritates the audience.

One of the film’s notable shortcomings is its dialogue. Pine’s script, co-authored with Ian Gotler, features half-finished thoughts, whimsical non-jokes, and a perpetual dangling conversation that doesn’t connect or go anywhere. This peculiar dialogue style, though perhaps meant to be quirky, fails to sustain interest throughout the film’s 100-minute runtime.

The film introduces a conspiracy plot involving a corrupt city official portrayed by Stephen Tobolowsky. Darren’s involvement in unveiling government misdeeds leads to a chaotic and unconvincing narrative that fails to engage viewers. Even the addition of a femme fatale, played by DeWanda Wise, couldn’t salvage the story.

Despite the film’s shortcomings, “PoolMan” boasts a star-studded cast, including Annette Bening and Danny DeVito, who play apartment dwellers serving as Darren’s pseudo-parent figures. However, their talents seem wasted in a film that lacks a coherent narrative.

The film’s early reviews, ahead of its wide release, have been less than favorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, “PoolMan” debuted with a paltry 20% score based on 20 reviews. Critics have not held back in their assessments, with some describing it as “guileless, artless nonsense” and a “total stinker.”

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reception, a handful of critics found merit in “PoolMan.” Some praised Chris Pine’s performance and his sense of comedic timing, while others appreciated the chemistry between Pine and co-stars Annette Bening and Danny DeVito. In conclusion, Chris Pine’s ambitious foray into writing, directing, and starring in “PoolMan” has garnered mixed reviews at best. While a few viewers found moments to enjoy, the overall consensus appears to be that “PoolMan” is a cinematic misstep that falls far short of expectations.