Coming of Age in the Pools

Pools [2024]

Film

From the onset of Pools, Sam Hayes' coming-of-age writing and directing debut, Kennedy (Odessa A'zion) is underwater. Both literally, as she's swimming in a pool, and figuratively, as she's also crumbling under the stress of college, expectations, and the emotional duress of her father's sudden passing. The water's symbolism, often associated with cleansing and rebirth, plays a dual purpose in Hayes' eclectic comedy-drama. Acting as a bastion of freedom and release from the muggy heat-wave blistering through the Chicago summer, where Kennedy's college campus resides, but also a melancholic reminder of the loss Kennedy's been shouldering. Something that doesn't come to light until the film's delightful penultimate moments. Hayes' debut delivers remarkable character development for its star, boosted by a fantastic lead performance from A'zion, but struggles to maintain a strong, coherent flow. Reflective of the struggling Kennedy, Pools can be unreliable and spacey, jetting between tonal highs and lows, but ultimately ends on a positive note. One that elicits a smile and a sense of freedom from the seemingly endless waves of water crashing down from the unexpected current of life.

Outside of meeting Kennedy underwater, Hayes employs a stunning visual palette to illustrate the pages of Pools. Bright colors elevate the narrative heat wave and give a wonderful pop to the various characters introduced. In conjunction with quick pans and zooms, the film begins with a quirky, zany feel that is almost impossible not to compare to Wes Anderson's style. The main difference is a feeling of forced humor in Hayes' dialogue, where it simply tries too hard to evoke a laugh through quippy dialogue. Within this overtly comedic atmosphere, we learn of Kennedy's scholarly struggles, and specifically how if she doesn't attend class the next day, she will be expelled. Instead of bunkering down and preparing to get to work, she assembles a hodge-podge group of summer school students to beat the heat by going pool hopping through the campus's neighboring mansions.

The Gen-Z Breakfast Club hits all the classic stereotypes: the seemingly dumb jock Reed (Mason Gooding), it-girl Delaney (Ariel Winter), girl searching for love/acceptance Shane (Francesca Noel), and a burnt-out bookworm in Blake (Tyler Alvarez). Once Pools lends itself to the free-flowing whims of its subjects, jumping from pool to pool, not trying so hard to crack a joke or take itself too seriously. Hayes' screenplay, and on-screen product, becomes much more earnest in its deconstruction of stereotypes, allowing this semi-random group of young adults to learn about each other and themselves, as they subject themselves to the terrible taste of Malört.

While Hayes displays an excellent knack for the larger themes in Pools, dealing with trauma, grief, expectations, and finding your place in the world during turbulent times, it's the in-between moments that struggle to construct a cohesive film. Tonal inconsistency and overwritten dialogue-hammering home the same jokes and attempted quirky exchanges-diminish an otherwise fantastic coming-of-age story. One thing that refuses to be diminished, however, is the stunning lead performance from A'zion. Delivering moments of physical comedy along with emotional nuance during the film's few and far between introspective flairs showcases a real leading talent. All of which comes to a head in the film's waning moments, a great example of Hayes' strengths, in a conversation with Michael (Michael Vlamis), an AC mechanic also figuring his way through life. Vlamis and A'zion's chemistry pays great dividends as well, with the former's supporting role being casual excellence.

Pools is a promising if imperfect debut that earns its emotional payoff. Hayes may struggle with tone and pacing, but his depiction of grief, friendship, and the messiness of growing up (especially in college) feels honest. Not to mention, A'zion's performance alone not only sets her up as an exciting rising talent to keep an eye on, but makes Pools worth diving into.

Froth

Continuing with some good water metaphors here, I went with a classic brewery choice in Holy Mountain Brewing, opting for their Drowned World. This Northwest Lager is as refreshing as one would hope it to be, but with delicious subtleties. Some light hoppiness and piney flavors top a crisp and malt forward profile, but everyone plays well together, striking a wonderful balance. Malt from LINC Malt, and hops from Roy Farms located in Spokane and the Yakima Valley respectively, yield a homegrown feel to the brew that is equal parts delicious and rewarding.

If I were battling a Midwestern heat wave, drowning in the hot humidity, I would rather crush any number of Drowned Worlds than touch one airplane bottle of Malört. But maybe that's the whole point of Pools? Growing up is trying Malört and learning to never do it again.