“POOLTIME”–approaching middle age

“Pooltime”

Approaching Middle Age

Amos Lassen

Lately I have been able to give some really good reviews to films released by Ariztical and I was hoping that I would be able to continue to always be able to do so. Unfortunately, “Pooltime” did not fall into that group and I really wanted to like it.

All of us who have entered middle age know exactly what it feels like. For me it was not that bad bit I do know that others have reacted differently. In the movie, David a handsome urban professional entering middle age decides to hold a different kind of pool party one weekend in West Hollywood. Now almost 40, David invites only his former boyfriends to see if there really is a husband for him somewhere in his pool. David embarks on an exciting, touching, and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about friendship, dating and commitment. This is the premise but for some reason, it just didn’t work.

I understand that the film is supposed to be a campy comedy and there are some very funny moments just as there are some very tender ones. David (Marcus Harwell) tries very hard to show his emotional entrance into Middle Age and he is supported by friend Jeffrey Patrick Olson, Mark C. Hanson, and Junes B. Zahdi and the guys change the standard gay romantic story by infusing it with new ideas. Inge Jaklin and Tom Tangen also try very hard to make this movie work and they provide a sub-plot within the main plot.

The story takes place-pool side and this allows us to see some really nice eye candy. The guys let go with their innermost thoughts in conversations reminiscent of “Sex and the City” but not nearly as professional. I love the idea for the film because we do not often hear about middle-aged gay men in this youth oriented society. A lot of what is said really hits home but the problem I had with the film is that it seemed to go on forever. Perhaps with some skillful editing this could really be a hit film. The actors are adequate and they could have been dynamite. The potential for a great film is all there but somehow we only get a good film. Please understand, I am not panning “Pooltime” but simply giving my opinion. I understand that it is part of a trilogy and there are two more films coming. Hopefully they will soar above this.