Chris Pine Reflects on Career Turning Point with 'Poolman' Negative Reviews

Chris Pine Says Negative Poolman Reviews Became a Come-to-Jesus Moment in His Career Feature

Chris Pine in ‘Poolman’. Vertical Entertainment/MovieStillsDB

Chris Pine shared his thoughts on the negative reviews of his first movie as a director, Poolman. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year but did not receive positive feedback. However, Pine still felt a sense of pride in his work.

Criticism is just a part of the game for actors, according to Pine. He mentioned on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast released on May 9 that there are many things to hide behind in the industry. There's the director, the writer, and the release pattern. As an actor, you come on set, do your dance, and move on to other projects before the film even comes out.

Pine compared the experience of "cowriting, directing, and starring in" a movie to being a stand-up comedian on stage feeling completely exposed. Through this process, the actor was able to discover just how resilient he truly is.

Poolman is a funny mystery movie about a pool cleaner in Los Angeles who discovers a water theft. The main character, Darren Barrenman, is played by Pine. Annette Bening and Danny DeVito also have roles in the film.

Chris Pine Says Negative Poolman Reviews Became a Come-to-Jesus Moment in His Career

Chris Pine shared during a recent podcast episode that he aimed to create a joyful film. Despite putting so much joy into it, he found himself facing a lot of negativity. This experience of having mixed feelings was challenging, but ultimately, it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. It pushed him to focus even more on joy and rediscover what he loves most about his job, something that can easily be forgotten.

Being an actor, according to Pine, is all about playing and having fun. He mentioned that it is easy to overlook this aspect. Pine expressed that actors get to be like kids, pretending and playing make-believe for hours each day. He emphasized the mischievous and playful nature of acting that he cherishes and does not want to lose.

Chris Pine Says Negative Poolman Reviews Became a Come-to-Jesus Moment in His Career 2

Chris Pine JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The actor has shared that he talked about the negative Poolman reviews in therapy. However, he has now reached a positive perspective on the movie.

"After reading the reviews in Toronto, I had doubts about the film," Pine remarked. "But after watching it again, I absolutely adore this movie. It has become one of my favorites."

As he steps into his new role as director, Pine has been thinking about his career in various interviews. Recently, the actor remembered feeling "absolutely terrified" at his first red carpet event during the Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement premiere in 2003.

"I remember when we had to do the premiere for that, it was at Disneyland. I got picked up in a stretch limo with my agent and we went there and I was so nervous," he shared with Entertainment Tonight while reflecting on his career at the Poolman red carpet event last month. "The whole experience with people shouting...you've got to get used to that whole thing."

Editor's P/S:

Chris Pine's journey as a director with "Poolman" offers a valuable lesson in embracing criticism and rediscovering the joy in one's craft. Despite the negative reviews, Pine found solace in his own belief in the film and used the experience as an opportunity for growth. His perspective highlights the importance of resilience and the power of finding fulfillment in the process itself, rather than solely relying on external validation.

Pine's comparison of filmmaking to stand-up comedy resonates as it captures the vulnerability and exposure that comes with presenting one's work to the public. However, it also emphasizes the transformative potential of such experiences, allowing artists to develop resilience and reconnect with their core motivations. The article serves as a reminder that setbacks and criticism are integral parts of the creative process and can ultimately lead to personal and artistic growth.