The Pool Review

8th February 2010

If you are planning to see only one independent movie this year, let it be this one. The Pool is a great film. Full stop. And it’s one of those that you don’t want to read too much about, or it will spoil the surprise. Trust me, stop reading now and go and book a ticket. If you are still with me, let me tell you a little bit more.

The Pool is the story of eighteen-year-old Venkatesh who works at a hotel in Goa and becomes obsessed with his neighbour’s swimming pool and the secret lives of its residents. Venkatesh’s life is thrown into turmoil when he is recruited to help sort out the garden of the pool’s villa. He slowly befriends the man who owns the house and his rebellious daughter and is forced to face a difficult decision about his future.

The Pool, an accurate peak into Indian life, touches on several shades of friendship, envy, altruism and class issues with such a delicate, yet realistic outlook. American director Chris Smith manages to portray aspects of Indian culture with astounding intensity. The Pool, in Hindi with English subtitles, is shot entirely in the wealthy hills of Panjim, Goa and showcases the raw talent of Venkatesh Chavan and Jhangir Bhadshah, alongside the Indian cinema legend Nana Paketar (remember Salaam Bombay! by Mira Nair?) and Ayesha Mohan.

So, go on, go and dip into The Pool. It will be a cinematic swim that will leave your feelings refreshed by the purity of Venkatesh’s way of life. Priceless.

Facebook

Google

Twitter

We hope you're enjoying BRWC. You should check us out on our social channels, subscribe to our newsletter, and tell your friends. BRWC is short for battleroyalewithcheese.