The Drowning Pool Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Paul Newman goes to Louisiana because his ex-girlfriend has some blackmail problems, but it turns out everyone in the bayou is either corrupt, horny, or both, so he mostly just gets wet.

🍿 The Drowning Pool: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Call to Louisiana

Lew Harper, a private investigator, receives a telegram from Iris Devereaux, an old flame, requesting his services in Louisiana. Upon arrival, he discovers Iris is married and embroiled in a blackmail scheme. She suspects her recently fired chauffeur is behind the threatening letters, setting Harper on a complex investigation.

Intrigue at Beau Rivage

Harper delves into the Devereaux family’s affairs, uncovering layers of secrets and simmering tensions. He encounters Schuyler, Iris’s provocative daughter, Olivia, the family matriarch, and James, Iris’s alcoholic husband. He quickly realizes that the blackmail is just the surface of a deeper conflict involving land, oil, and hidden relationships.

Oil, Corruption, and Murder

The investigation leads Harper to Jay Hue Kilbourne, an oil tycoon aiming to acquire the Devereaux’s land. He finds himself entangled in a web of political corruption and illicit affairs, encountering corrupt police officers and dangerous thugs. Olivia is murdered, intensifying the stakes and pointing fingers at various suspects.

The Drowning Pool

Harper is lured into a deadly trap. Locked in a hydrotherapy room with Kilbourne’s wife, Mavis, he must find a way to escape as the room fills with water. This dramatic sequence tests Harper’s resourcefulness and reveals the depth of Kilbourne’s ruthlessness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lew Harper (Paul Newman): A wisecracking private investigator who travels to Louisiana to help an old flame and gets entangled in a web of blackmail, murder, and oil corruption.
• Iris Devereaux (Joanne Woodward): Lew Harper’s former lover who hires him to investigate a blackmail threat, leading to a dangerous and complex case.
• Jay Hue Kilbourne (Murray Hamilton): A ruthless oil tycoon determined to acquire land by any means necessary, even blackmail and murder.
• Chief Broussard (Anthony Franciosa): The local police chief with a personal interest in the Devereaux family and a questionable sense of justice.
• Schuyler Devereaux (Melanie Griffith): Iris’s provocative teenage daughter who is deeply entangled in the family’s secrets and betrayals.
• Mavis Kilbourne (Gail Strickland): The oil tycoon’s abused wife who becomes an unwilling accomplice and seeks a way out of her oppressive marriage.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lew Harper: “Oh sometimes I do better than others.” – Lew’s sardonic response to Schuyler Devereaux when she asks ‘How do you do Mr Harper?’ showcases his dry wit.
• Lew Harper: “It’s quite a zoo you got here.” – Harper’s observation to Schuyler Devereaux reflecting the odd collection of personalities within the Devereaux family.
• Lew Harper: “Look, I think it’s only fair to warn you fellas that my hands are registered in California as lethal weapons.” – Harper’s humorous and defiant response to being accosted, before revealing he’s not that tough.
• Chief Broussard: “Mister, you don’t belch without my knowin’ about it.” – Chief Broussard’s warning to Harper that he will be watching his every move.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.7M
• Domestic Gross: $10.5M
• Worldwide Gross: $10.5M

💥 The Drowning Pool Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed watching Paul Newman as Lew Harper in ‘The Drowning Pool.’ He just oozes charisma. The scene where he’s trapped in the hydrotherapy room is so intense! I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how he would escape. The mystery kept me guessing, and the ending was a genuine surprise. Definitely a fun watch for fans of classic detective movies.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Paul Newman”
  • “Lovers of neo-noir films”
  • “Viewers interested in mysteries with complex plots”
  • “Those who appreciate films set in the Louisiana bayou country”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Sexual content/innuendo”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Dogfighting (briefly mentioned, but may be upsetting)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “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.
• The New York Times: “This sequel to ‘Harper’ (1966) is set in New Orleans. This time, private detective Lew Archer (re-named Harper for the movies) answers the urgent call of a former romantic involvement (Joanne Woodward), who claims she is being blackmailed. Soon Newman-Harper is up against a bevy of unsavory characters.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “The film has a completely different look and feel than the previous film, which may have been the reason that so many critics and audiences unfairly rejected it. Gone is the sixties-era go-go mania, which has been replaced with the moody elements of modern film noir which perfectly suits the intricate story of murder and blackmail.

Audience Reactions

The hydrotherapy room escape is a standout scene, showcasing Newman’s physical acting and clever problem-solving.: Many viewers find the plot complicated but appreciate the twists and turns, along with the strong performances from the cast.

Melanie Griffith’s portrayal of the provocative Schuyler Devereaux is a memorable early role.: People enjoy the overall noir atmosphere and the setting of Louisiana, even if it’s not always authentically portrayed.

Overall Consensus: While ‘The Drowning Pool’ might not reach the heights of ‘Harper,’ it’s a solid, enjoyable neo-noir with a compelling mystery and strong performances, especially from Paul Newman. The plot can be convoluted, but the twists and turns keep viewers engaged.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Ross Macdonald’s novel of the same name, part of his Lew Archer series, though the character’s name was changed to Harper for the films.”
• “During post-production, the melody of ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ was integrated into the score, adding a contemporary musical element to the film.”
• “Filming took place on location in Louisiana, capturing the atmosphere of the bayou country and New Orleans.”
• “The film features Melanie Griffith in one of her early roles, playing a sexually precocious teenager.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Drowning Pool?

The Drowning Pool is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Drowning Pool, you might like these similar films:

• Harper (1966): The original film featuring Paul Newman as Lew Harper, establishing the character and his investigative style.
• Chinatown (1974): A classic neo-noir detective story with complex plots, corruption, and a cynical private investigator.
• Night Moves (1975): Another neo-noir from the same era, featuring a troubled private investigator uncovering a web of secrets and moral ambiguity.
• The Long Goodbye (1973): A stylish and unconventional take on the private eye genre, with a focus on character and atmosphere.

🛒 The Drowning Pool Related Products

• Paul Newman: A Life: An in-depth biography exploring the life and career of Paul Newman, offering insights into his film choices and personal journey. Includes many photos.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: A collection of classic film noir movies, offering a deeper dive into the genre that inspired ‘The Drowning Pool’.
• Ross Macdonald Lew Archer Mystery Novels: The collected Lew Archer novels by Ross Macdonald, the author of the source material for “Harper” and “The Drowning Pool.”
• Cool Hand Luke [Blu-ray]: Experience the classic Paul Newman film on Blu-ray, showcasing his charisma and acting prowess in another acclaimed role directed by Stuart Rosenberg. A great film for collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Drowning Pool features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Killing Me Softly With His Song” – performed by Charles Fox (Scored and Conducted)
• “Preservation Hall Jazz” – performed by Michael Small

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Paul Newman as Harper PI explaining his ‘Black Belt’ in “The Drowning Pool”

Ever wondered if Paul Newman’s character in ‘The Drowning Pool’ has some serious fighting skills? Check out this short clip where he explains his ‘Black Belt’ – it’s a surprisingly cool and insightful moment!

Baywatching: The Drowning Pool

Want a hilarious take on ‘The Drowning Pool’? This review playfully dissects the movie, pointing out its quirks and absurdities. I thought it was pretty funny, especially if you’re already familiar with the film.

10 1970s Suspense Movies That Are More Intense Than Today’s Thrillers!

‘The Drowning Pool’ is on this list of super intense 70s suspense movies! This is a good way to discover similar films, it might give you some new ideas for movie night!

✨ Rate