Poolman

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2:28

Poolman

R

2024

1h 40m

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

24%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

20%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

In Chris Pine's feature directorial debut, Poolman tells the story of Darren Barrenman (Pine), a native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live. When he is tasked by a femme fatale to uncover the truth behind a shady business deal, Darren enlists the help of friends to take on a corrupt politician and a greedy land developer. His investigation reveals a hidden truth about his beloved city and himself. The film also stars Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, DeWanda Wise, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Ortiz and Ray Wise.

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Critics Consensus

First-time director Chris Pine has clearly watched and loved numerous classic L.A.-based neo-noir comedies; unfortunately, Poolman suggests he'd have been better off not trying to add his own entry to the genre.

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Steve Rose

Guardian

06/26/2024

1/5

Chris Pine is usually a likable screen presence but he’s let down here by a flimsy script and over-indulgent direction -- which could have something to do with the co-screenwriter (Chris Pine) and the first-time director (er, Chris Pine).

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Emily Zemler

Observer

05/15/2024

1/4

I’m sure Pine meant well. He probably had a good idea and couldn’t execute it. An incredibly stoned person wouldn’t be able to decipher Poolman—and neither can a general audience.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

05/15/2024

It's fun! Yes, I was almost pushed to the edge a few times, but it's fun if you don't expect too much.

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

12/12/2024

Very much in the Long Goodbye/Big Lebowski/Inherent Vice tradition of stoned L.A. mystery-solving.

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Katie Hogan

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

11/13/2024

Poolman hits the story beats found in any crime mystery with a few added random surprises.

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John Serba

Decider

11/12/2024

Pine tries Atlmanesque overlapping dialogue, surreal-dream indulgences, love-letter shots of L.A., bleached noir strokes... and madcap Coen Bros. homages that are such comedic failures you’ll want to rename the movie Burn After Watching.

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ALR

05/19/2024

God awful movie, I had to walk out after 45 minutes

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Peggy

05/12/2024

I didnt k ow what it really was going in but love the cast. Its different but I like the craziness and lightness to it. A little confused on the way out but left with a smile.

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eileen r

05/11/2024

Terrible...no cohesion between characters and plot. Hard to follow plot.

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vxf111

05/10/2024

I'm lowkey upset that I put myself through this.

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Curt A.

@SmoresDad Dec 26

Poolman was fairly decent b-rate movie. The quirky characters with all of their chaos was pretty likable. With a Dude like protagonists it fits into the realm of Lebowski. Of the lead character living life than caught up in a dilemma brought on by their own philosophy towards life. However it does miss the mark of being toe to toe with Lebowski. Won’t go out of my way to see it again but I wouldn’t turn the channel either.

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Marc M

@RT94163620 Aug 31

A goofy oddball romp that can’t help but make you compare it to The Big Lebowski and Inherent Vice, as well as the classic LA detective noir Chinatown that Poolman directly references. While Poolman doesn’t reach the level of these films, I don’t think it’s meant to. I feel like a lot of the criticism of this movie forgets that it’s supposed to be a comedy.

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Chris Pine

Director

Chris Pine

Darren Barrenman

Danny DeVito

Jack

Annette Bening

Diane

Ray Wise

Van Patterson

Juliet Mills

Mrs Van Patterson

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Poolman: Trailer 1

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Poolman: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

In Chris Pine's feature directorial debut, Poolman tells the story of Darren Barrenman (Pine), a native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live. When he is tasked by a femme fatale to uncover the truth behind a shady business deal, Darren enlists the help of friends to take on a corrupt politician and a greedy land developer. His investigation reveals a hidden truth about his beloved city and himself. The film also stars Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, DeWanda Wise, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Ortiz and Ray Wise.

Director: Chris Pine
Producer: Ian Gotler, Patty Jenkins, Chris Pine, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Ian Gotler, Chris Pine
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Shiny Penny, Catchlight Studios, Brickell & Broadbridge International (BBI), Barry Linen Motion Pictures, Wicious Pictures
Rating: R (Some Language|Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 10, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 31, 2024
Runtime: 1h 40m