The Pool

2007


Directed by
Chris Smith
Produced by
Kate Noble
Edited by
Barry Poltermann

The Sundance 2007 Film Festival
Winner - Special Jury Prize

 

A boy in abject poverty works in a hotel and becomes obsessed with a swimming pool in the opulent hills of Panjim, Goa, India. His life gets turned upside-down when he attempts to meet the mysterious family who lives at the house. Winner of the 2007 Sundance Special Dramatic Jury Prize.

On Rotten Tomatoes, they gave the film the “Certified Fresh” award with an aggregate score of 94% based on 45 positive reviews. The website consensus reads: “Beautifully crafted with loosely drawn characters and a lilting, natural pace, Chris Smith’s The Pool features a universal message to which everyone can relate.”

The film appeared on several critics’ top ten lists of the best films of 2008. Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle named it the 4th best film of 2008, Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter named it the 4th best film of 2008, and Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club named it the 10th best film of 2008. The Pool was also selected by the Museum of Modern Art in New York as one of the Best Films of 2008 alongside The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Iron Man and Wall-E.

The Pool is startling not only in the lush physical beauty it reveals but also in the subtle, finely wrought emotions it stirs.

Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

Uplifting without a drop of sap, and with one of the most satisfying and resonant conclusions to be seen in recent cinema.

Sheri Linden
Hollywood Reporter

A Triumph! Exquisite… Deeply Moving.

Time Out NY

Unforgettable!

Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

Resonant and beautifully naturalistic.

Lisa Schwartzbaum
Entertainment Weekly

Vivid… Refreshing… Funny!

Scott Tobias
The Onion

It’s hard to think of a more welcome piece of American filmmaking.

Time Out NY