Saturday 9 October 2021

The Drowning Pool (1975 Stuart Rosenberg)

Like its predecessor Harper, based on a novel by Ross MacDonald, screenwritten by Tracy Keenan Wynn, Lorenzo Semple Jr and Walter Hill. Satisfyingly twisty private eye tale involving a wealthy family, its chauffeur and an oil tycoon. Fittingly, Joanna Woodward plays Paul Newman's former fling. With Anthony Franciosa, Murray Hamilton, Gail Strickland, Melanie Griffith (after Night Moves, the nymphet again), Linda Haynes, Richard Jaeckel, Andy Robinson, Coral Browne.

Not sure how credible the whole drowning pool sequence is - how long would it take to fill that big room with water? - but it's tensely effective.

Newman is his usual charismatic self. New Orleans locales add a certain something. Photographed by Gordon Willis. Make up by Monty Westmore.





No comments:

Post a Comment