Writers: Ian Gotler and Chris Pine
Director: Chris Pine
Tucked away in the Laugh strand of the BFI London Film Festival 2023 is Chris Pine’s directorial debut co-written with Ian Gotler, a homage to Chinatown but with a hapless group of would-be detectives led by poolman Darren Barrenman, known as DB. Chris Pine fans will relish the actor’s satirical style and comic timing as he also plays titular poolman, applying a detective story style with fantasy sequences and a spoof energy. Poolman entertainingly fills its 100-minute running time quite well.
Poolman DB spends his time defending his community and advocating for improved services at the local courtroom, performing elaborate presentations as part of a documentary he is also making with therapist Diane (Annette Benning) and her filmmaker husband Jack (Danny Devito). When a glamorous council worker informs DB about corruption behind the scenes, he starts to investigate.
Pine’s movie has a strong basis, blending the LA trailer lifestyle with a social conscience and classic film noir tropes from shadowy businessmen and a femme fatal to the crime driver with a deeply moral outcome. Chinatown is the major reference point for Pine, taking the narrative shape, character studies and even direct quotes which are massaged into the much broader comic story. It is an open homage with DB and his friends even watching the film as inspiration at one point.
The knockabout comedy is more hit and miss, largely relying on Pine’s own nonplussed reactions to unfolding events as the story gets more complicated, but there is less focus on the starry supporting cast who create a credible ensemble but don’t have enough independent lives or jokes of their own, turning into a generic Scooby Doo gang.
DB is a lonely character ultimately and this is some amusement in his daily letters to the real Erin Brockovich, his social campaigning hero, that also forms the diary-like voiceover. And there is also a lot of chemistry with DeWanda Wise’s femme fatal who plays the hero in order to get what she wants, immaculately dressed at all times Iin outfits inspired by the 1940s and 1950s forebears, and oozing classy power that makes her scenes with DB the most compelling in the movie.
Pine manages the action well, taking the audience into the character’s life, capturing his scruffy but passionate approach that makes him likeable and someone to root for. The balance of action, silly comedy and underwater fantasy sequences are mostly well managed and there are some particularly lovely shots in the pool as DB tries to meditate his way to a solution.
Poolman is a solid debut and Pine has lots of promise as a director with a clear enthusiasm for film history that is reflected in his story. Some may have a marmite reaction to the humour, but fans will enjoy this watchable mash-up of comedy and classic crime styles.
Poolman is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2023.
