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Documentary filmmaker Chris Smith's feature debut is startling, original and quietly winning
Cool Water:
The Pool
9-12-08 "Knight Thoughts" web exclusive review
By Richard Knight, Jr.
The Pool
9-12-08 "Knight Thoughts" web exclusive review
By Richard Knight, Jr.
Filmmaker Chris Smith, beloved for his offbeat, winning documentaries American Movie, American Job, Home Movie, and The Yes Men
has now ventured far afield with his feature debut, The Pool, a slice of life drama with a hint of mystery. Smith's simple film,
based on a short story by his co-screenwriter Randy Russell, is set in Panjim, Goa, India. The movie follows the day to day
existence of Venkatesh, a self-contained teenage boy who works in a hotel doing manual labor. His only friend is the 11 year-old
Jhangir, a little pistol, who works just as hard in a restaurant. The two also have a joint business - selling shopping bags on the
street that they purchase in bulk from another vendor. As often as possible Venkatesh climbs a mango tree to observe an
overgrown garden which surrounds a swimming pool, hidden behind a fence. The occupants of the house, an older man and his
daughter, never swim in the pool, though the man sits in a chair contemplating the cool water. As the film progresses Venkatesh
becomes enmeshed in the lives of the man and his daughter and as he slowly gains their trust, he learns their secrets.
The pool with its clear, calm water, its promise of peace and embodiment of unattainable prosperity in a world of overwhelming
poverty, is a literal oasis, a respite from the constant cacophony of Venkatesh's life and something, perhaps to strive for. His only
desire is to swim in the shimmering, beckoning pool but even that is a far off dream: he can't swim. Smith's quiet little movie
expertly utilizes his amateur cast, headed by the great Indian actor Nana Patekar, who portrays the troubled father and brings
gravitas to his role (and to the movie). As Venkatesh and Jhangir go about their duties, traversing the noisy city, Smith also gives
us a fascinating byproduct as his little drama unfolds, a travelogue and crash course in local customs that's almost as interesting as
the story itself.
has now ventured far afield with his feature debut, The Pool, a slice of life drama with a hint of mystery. Smith's simple film,
based on a short story by his co-screenwriter Randy Russell, is set in Panjim, Goa, India. The movie follows the day to day
existence of Venkatesh, a self-contained teenage boy who works in a hotel doing manual labor. His only friend is the 11 year-old
Jhangir, a little pistol, who works just as hard in a restaurant. The two also have a joint business - selling shopping bags on the
street that they purchase in bulk from another vendor. As often as possible Venkatesh climbs a mango tree to observe an
overgrown garden which surrounds a swimming pool, hidden behind a fence. The occupants of the house, an older man and his
daughter, never swim in the pool, though the man sits in a chair contemplating the cool water. As the film progresses Venkatesh
becomes enmeshed in the lives of the man and his daughter and as he slowly gains their trust, he learns their secrets.
The pool with its clear, calm water, its promise of peace and embodiment of unattainable prosperity in a world of overwhelming
poverty, is a literal oasis, a respite from the constant cacophony of Venkatesh's life and something, perhaps to strive for. His only
desire is to swim in the shimmering, beckoning pool but even that is a far off dream: he can't swim. Smith's quiet little movie
expertly utilizes his amateur cast, headed by the great Indian actor Nana Patekar, who portrays the troubled father and brings
gravitas to his role (and to the movie). As Venkatesh and Jhangir go about their duties, traversing the noisy city, Smith also gives
us a fascinating byproduct as his little drama unfolds, a travelogue and crash course in local customs that's almost as interesting as
the story itself.
