Yikes. Based on the chatter I’ve been hearing here at TIFF, Chris Pine’s “Poolman” might be the worst-received film at this year’s edition of the festival. There were a ton of walkouts at last night’s premiere.
I don’t think I’ve spoken to a single person who had any positive things to say about Pine’s directorial debut, which is said to be a riff of “Chinatown” and “Under the Silver Lake.” Basically, an L.A. neo-noir reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s works.
The film, which also stars Pine, has him playing a pool cleaner in Los Angeles who uncovers a water heist conspiracy. The cast Pine’s assembled here is actually impressive — Annette Benning, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Danny DeVito, Ariana DeBose and Ray Wise.
Reviews for “Poolman,” and I don’t see any online at the moment, should be unleashed within the next few hours. Expect some very bad notices for the film, which still has no release date.