Kennedy (Odessa A’zion) is drifting through college life in the midst of a sweltering Chicago Summer. She has no major aspirations, no real friends, and worst of all, no working air conditioning. When Kennedy comes up with the brilliant plan to sneak into local pools, her gang of Summer term seniors set out to live life to the fullest, trespassing be damned.
Set across a sprawling college campus and a luxury mansion, Sam Hayes’s film about life, loss, and college takes audiences on a wild ride from pool to pool.
Hopping from pool to pool is just the surface of Kenney’s journey on the brink of expulsion. Along the way, she connects with former jock Reed (Mason Gooding), former friend Delaney (Ariel Winter), quirky newcomer Shane (Francesca Noel), and future doctor Blake (Tyler Alvarez). At the same time, Kennedy and her newfound friends trespass in bliss, an air conditioning repair person, or “air conditioner”, Mikey (Michael Vilamis) tries to save his job despite the massive heat wave. Everything dovetails into Kennedy’s moment of doubt and catharsis, crafting a quirky and meaningful coming-of-age story.
Pools has tons of charm. Sam Haye’s blends 80s teen comedy antics with 90s angst and post-Y2K sensibility to make a compelling narrative about life and change. The film captures all the euphoria of being young and reckless while maintaining grounded characters and emotional consistency. It’s what draws audiences in with humor, but builds towards Kennedy’s arc in every scene. Hayes marries the sweet with sincerity, all wrapped in wild college montages.
Performances are strong from top to bottom. A’zion conveys every moment of silliness, whimsy, and sadness needed for Kennedy to transcend the script to the screen. Kennedy proclaims, “This is the last night of the f***ed up phase of my life,” and A’zion echoes that sentiment in each creative choice. Gooding is as charismatic as ever, coming off slasher successes in the Scream franchise and horror romcom Heart Eyes. While some characters are less developed, each performer finds their groove playing into the character archetypes set forth by the likes of John Hughes and Cameron Crowe.
The first and second half of Pools is very different. One focuses on Kennedy trying to move forward, and the other on Kennedy’s journey towards the future. The party atmosphere of the opening and initial pool hopping is stellar. Hayes and the cast perfectly portray the paradox of the invincibility and vulnerability of youth. But as for Kennedy, the party is not forever. Hayes and A’Zion take Kennedy towards her future with quirky empathy and more grace than expected. Kennedy’s climactic realization may seem rushed, but it does nothing to detract from the overall picture of life among the pools.
Sam Haye’s Pools is a film you can root for. It has its flaws, but its triumphs revel in the classic coming-of-age moments we all experience. Pools has a little Freaks & Geeks, a little Breakfast Club, a little Booksmart, and a lot of modern indie flair, all brought together for one massive moment of freedom. Beyond the college experience, seeking A/C, or trying to keep a job, Pools gives its characters and audiences a taste of unbridled joy while the world is crashing down. It’s a story for film fans, indie die-hards, and most of all those hoping like Kennedy to move out of the “f***ed up phase of their life”.
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