Chris Pine’s Affection for ‘Poolman’ Remains Strong Despite Critical Reception

Chris Pine, known for his roles in blockbuster movies, recently opened up about his directorial debut film, “Poolman,” in an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. Despite the film receiving negative reviews, Pine expressed that the experience of creating and releasing the movie was “the best thing to ever happen” to him.

“Poolman,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, follows Pine as a pool technician in Los Angeles who uncovers a water heist in a spoof of the classic film “Chinatown.” Critics were not kind to the film, with The Hollywood Reporter describing it as going “tonally off the rails” from the start.

Pine admitted that the bad reviews were a “come to Jesus moment” for him, highlighting his resilience in the face of criticism. He acknowledged that while he wasn’t entirely surprised by the negative feedback, it was challenging to reconcile the joy he felt making the film with the harsh critiques it received.

Despite the initial disappointment, Pine found solace in the Latin phrase “Vigor grows from the wound,” emphasizing the growth and resilience that can come from difficult experiences. He ultimately realized that his satisfaction with the project was more important than external opinions.

As “Poolman” prepares to hit theaters, Pine’s journey with the film serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself and finding joy in the creative process, regardless of external validation.