The Robert Downey Jr Film Guide
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The Robert Downey Jr Film Guide |
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Hugo Pool / Pool Girl (1996) |
Summary |
Girl cleans pools. Stuff happens. Credits roll. |
Direction |
Robert Downey Sr. |
Downey Factor |
Very Low. |
Character |
Franz, an eccentric European film maker |
Performance |
Weird. |
Accent |
Dutch |
Dies, Gay or Villain |
No, No, No. |
Other Actors |
Sean Penn, Malcolm McDowell, Alyssa Milano, Cathy Moriarty |
Connection |
Richard Lewis in The Last Party and That's Adequate. Ann Magnuson in Friends and Lovers. Cathy Moriarty in Soapdish. Sean Penn in The Last Party. Robert Downey Sr.'s Pound, Up the Academy, Rented Lips, America, Too Much Sun,Greaser's Palace, in The Last Party and Johnny Be Good |
Location |
Los Angeles |
RDJ Says |
It was really weird because my dad was directing it. My cousin was working on the film. It was ouchy and painful for them to see, but, my work didn't suffer from [my drug use]. But that didn't mean it was okay. |
Release |
December 12, 1997 |
Availability |
On video. Released on DVD in Region 1, 2 and 4 (titled "Pool Girl" in R2) |
Foreign Titles |
Argentina: Las piscinas de Hugo (Hugo's Pools) Denmark: Klor-vand og Kærlighed (Chlorine Water and Love) Finland: Rakkautta Uima-Altaalla (Love the Swimming Pool) France: chaude journée ā L.A. (Hot Day in L.A.) Italy: Piscine-Incontri a Beverly Hills (Swimming Pools - Encounter in Beverly Hills) Portugal: Sonhar em Los Angeles (Dream in Los Angeles) Sweden: Simbassänger och Kärlek (Swimming Pools and Love) |
Rotten Tomatoes |
20 % Fresh | 5 Reviews |
Critical View |
Emanuel Levy, Variety: It's also not surprising that the most idiosyncratic performance belongs to [the] helmer's son, Downey Jr., a brilliant actor who has a tendency to overact and here has a field day with his over-the-top European accent and mannerisms Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times: We hate to hit a man when he's down, but what a week for Robert Downey Jr.! On Monday, a judge orders him to jail for six months for violating probation on past drug offenses, and today, "Hugo Pool" opens, putting on public display one of the worst performances he or any major star has recorded on film. |
2 Reasons to See It |
1. You really like the idea of a skinny shirtless Dutch Downey. 2. Plot and coherence rank last on your list of important qualities in a movie. |
Overall |
A senseless movie. Not worth seeing for his small, nearly unintelligible role. |
If You Like It |
You might also like Short Cuts (1993), Too Much Sun (1991), wishing you had the money to go to Sundance |
Photos |
Video |