The small Indian state of Goa may be halfway across the globe from Wisconsin, but that did not stop Milwaukee-based filmmaker Chris Smith from setting his latest film there. The Pool"" tells the story of Venkatesh, a lanky illiterate young man, who struggles to make ends meet with his younger friend Jhangir. However, upon discovering a majestic outdoor pool, he becomes engrossed by the blue water and the man who owns it.
Venkatesh makes money as a room boy at a hotel while Jhangir works in a restaurant, and they sell plastic bags on the street together for extra cash. After days of sitting in a nearby tree observing Nana, the pool owner, and his daughter Ayesha, Venkatesh offers his gardening services to get closer to his dream of swimming in the pool himself. He builds separate and unlikely relationships with the stoic father and anguished girl, with both finding comfort in Venkatesh that they cannot gain from each other.
During an afternoon of work, Nana confides in Venkatesh about the tragedy that occurred in the pool which has deterred him from swimming in it ever since. Their bond eventually gives Venkatesh an offer to move to Bombay and receive the education he only dreamed of. As our protagonist's goals drift from the pool to a glimpse of a new life, the film takes a pivotal step in another direction that leaves questions unanswered.
Loosely based off a short story by Randy Russell, Smith takes his film miles always from its original setting in Iowa. His on-site shooting and fly-on-the-wall footage, most notably seen in his 1999 cult domumentary ""American Movie,"" are still evident. These gritty images add unconventional beauty to the busy, crowded world Venkatesh lives in.
Another tie that brings ""The Pool"" close to home is editor Barry Poltermann, who is UW-Madison Communication Arts alum. The editing, cinematography and story structure slowly unravel the character sketches of a poor youth and a privileged but broken family. The film draws more from neorealism than the over-the-top productions of Bollywood - do not expect the characters to simultaneously break out into song and dance anytime soon.
It is understandable how this small-scale project has not been widely released in the U.S. - its low-budget documentary aesthetic, subtitles and ambiguous ending are not the typical formula of a box-office hit. But the uncertainty of growing up and desire for success are subject matters that transcend national barriers.
Two years after its praise at the Sundance Film Festival, it is difficult to predict how American audiences will perceive ""The Pool."" Filmgoers may bring in mistaken expectations from ""Slumdog Millionaire"" and leave disappointed, but perhaps they will appreciate a slice of Indian life they have never experienced before. Hopefully, it will be the latter.
""The Pool"" is playing as part of a screening room series at Sundance Cinemas through Thursday.
Grade: AB
