The Drowning Pool

The Drowning Pool_720p(480P)

source: The Drowning Pool

Trailer—The Drowning Pool

The Drowning Pool

Stuart Rosenberg directed this underrated sequel to "Harper", set nine years later that sees Paul Newman return as private detective Lew Harper, this time called by an old girlfriend named Iris(Joanne Woodward) to come to her Louisiana home to investigate a blackmailing scheme involving her daughter(played by Melanie Griffith) who has something of a reputation with the local men that someone wants to exploit for their benefit. Harper discovers that the case is more complicated than that, as it involves shady dealings of a wealthy oil tycoon(played by Murray Hamilton) and his wife(played by Gail Strickland) who wants more land for exploration. Can Harper get to the bottom of this case before being driven off by the local sheriff(played by Anthony Franciosa)? Though not as stylish as "Harper", this still features good acting and an interesting story, with Newman as good as ever. There was no third film in this series, which is a shame.

A California PI is called to New Orleans and the locals start turning up dead. This is a relaxed thriller full of Southern kooks and cranks. Great cast, well-known director, and of course the worldly Ross MacDonald (aka Ken Millar), the master of the why-dunit. The plot unzips pretty quickly with Paul Newman the detective running into several women and the men they have to put up with. It's all about how many of these women he'll be able to protect. It's fun to watch Newman keep his cool in one crazy fix after another. The film holds up pretty well because the story is character-driven and every other scene is shot in a colorful location. Good alternative to watching a re-run of your favorite crime drama.

Paul Newman really put on a performance in "The Drowning Pool". I had no idea this movie was a sequel to another, but I don't really care at this point. There in the movie was a lesser known star Melanie Griffith who was starting out very well in the movie. Helping out your ex is always helpful, especially when it comes to being blackmail by someone very unscrupulous. I like the part when the detective and his ex were trapped and was about to be drowned by the perpetrators, they had to uses their own clothes to make a clog that would be hazardous, to make their escape. Hence, that's why it's called "The Drowning Pool". The intensity of the movie was not lost, and plot was good. If I only knew what the first movie was that this is a sequel to, otherwise, I just can say this, it's a great movie and it's great for the enthusiasts of Southern detective stories buffs. I liked it all the way. Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Ross MacDonald's novels generally translate well to movie. This one certainly does, although I've never seen a Ross MacDonald movie that successfully captures the atmosphere that MacDonald creates in his novels. Paul Newman is the detective Lew Archer (I seem to remember that his name was changed to Harper for the movie to keep a string of "H" movies going: Hud, Hombre, and Harper). The movie moves along with a complex plot that is not difficult to track and understand. Melanie Griffith is perfection in the role of the 14-year old seductress. >

Paul Newman returns to his private detective role Lew Harper, following 1966's "Harper", in another murder-yarn adapted from a Ross Macdonald novel (wherein the lead character was named Archer). Transplanted from Southern California to the bayous of Louisiana, Harper is up to his aw-shucks smile in trouble while investigating a blackmail plot which involves his former lady-friend (Joanne Woodward), a Southern belle from a prominent New Orleans family living under the thumb of an oppressive matriarch. An intimidating letter soon turns to murder, and the suspects include: the woman's nubile daughter (Melanie Griffith), a wealthy fat-cat (Murray Hamilton), and even the police chief (Tony Franciosa, sporting an oddball walrus mustache). Strictly TV-detective stuff, polished by the classy cast and Gordon Willis' terrific cinematography. It looks good and goes down smoothly, but doesn't leave a trace of itself behind. ** from ****

A mature, intelligent thriller, in which Newman recreates Lew Harper. It takes place around New Orleans and involves public corruption and an intricate web of deceit. The style is fairly laid-back, though it doesn't actually lag - even though it sometimes seems it's about to. The characters are all sharply delineated and complex, and there is a lot of very good acting going on. Thoroughly watchable, with some tension and suspense, but only sporadic action.