LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 26: Chris Pine attends the Paramount Premiere in Los Angeles … [+]
Critics hate Chris Pine’s new movie Poolmanbut that doesn’t diminish his love for the film he directs and stars in.
The indie film — which is new in theaters Friday — made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. Described as a comedy-mystery, Poolman follows Darren Barenman (Chris Pine), a pool attendant in Los Angeles, who enlists his friends to help him investigate some shady business dealings involving a local politician and land developer.
Poolmanwhere the Star Trek The star of the reboot, which also co-wrote with Ian Golter, has brought in several major actors to round out the film’s cast, including Annette Bening, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Danny DeVito.
Despite star recognition, critics are unimpressed Poolman. The film earned a dismal 19% “rotten” rating on the critics’ site Rotten tomatoesbased on 37 reviews published either recently or after the film’s TIF debut.
One of the reviews posted after the TIFF premiere came from Variety critic Owen Gleiberman, who wrote that Poolman is “not only the worst movie I saw during the fall festival season, but it would probably be one of the worst movies of every year that came out.”
In an interview to discuss the film at Happy Sad Confused podcast (via Variety), Pine revealed to host Josh Horowitz how he deals with film critics.
“Criticism as an actor is just part of the game, but there’s a lot behind it,” Pine explained to Horowitz. “There’s the director and the screenwriter and the release pattern, etc. As an actor you come to the set and you dance and you leave and by the time the movie comes out you’ve done X number of other projects.”
If anything, the negative reviews from critics for Poolman they have taught Pine to be stronger.
“The closest thing I would imagine it to be — to co-write, direct and star — is a stand-up comedian on stage feeling completely naked,” Pine told Horowitz. “It was a real coming-to-Jesus moment to see how resilient I am.”
Pine Says ‘Poolman’ Is ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’
Chris Pine, of course, is used to receiving better reviews from critics, having starred in hits like 2009’s Star Trekof 2013 Star Trek Into Darkness and of 2016 Star Trek Beyondall of which earned excellent reviews Rotten tomatoes reviewers.
The pine has remained starry since Poolman despite the film’s critical thrashing at the TIF. In fact, Poolman reminded the actor-director why he loves his job so much.
“When the movie came out in Toronto and he was just getting his prank — the king celebrated … I tried to make a happy movie,” Pine told Horowitz during Happy Sad Confused podcast (via Variety). “With so much joy behind it, to then be met with a bunch of not-so-joyful things… the cognitive dissonance was quite something.”
Finally, Pine told Horowitz, Poolman is “the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“It forced me to double down on the joy and really double down on what I love most about my job, which you kind of forget — it’s essentially about the game,” Pine told Horowitz. “You become children for hours a day and imagine. There’s a wretched quality that I don’t want to lose.”
One thing is for sure – Pine is not going to apologize for what he did Poolman.
“I saw my movie. After the reviews in Toronto, I was like, I made a bunch of st,” Pine told Horowitz. “I went back and watched it. I love this movie. I really like this movie.”
Poolman opens in theaters Friday. According Deadlinethe film — which marks Pine’s directorial debut — will play in 160 theaters in its opening weekend.
