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

Dec 12

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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Daniel R

05/15/2024

I liked it. My girlfriend didn't get it and was bored. The thing to realize about thus movie is that if you're not familiar with Chinatown, you'll miss half of it.

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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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ME R

05/11/2024

The characters are fantastic in this movie. They needed a better plot, but it is worth seeing for Darren, Jack and Diane alone.

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vxf111

05/10/2024

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

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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

Poolman: Exclusive Movie Clip - Packing the Car

1:49

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Poolman: Trailer 1

2:28

Poolman: Teaser Trailer

1:51

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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

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