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No consensus yet.
All Critics (14) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (7) | DVD (1)
Stylish, improbable, entertaining, superficial, well cast, and totally synthetic.
Unfortunately, Rosenberg directs flatly, hopping from one set piece to the next, disjointedly throwing characters of varying interest across Newman's path.
As a convoluted caper it generates action rather than character and surface mystery rather than meaning.
A confusing and not very exciting private eye caper.
An interminable drag.
It has a field day recycling private eye cliches while down in the bayou.
Perhaps the saddest thing about The Drowning Pool is that the incompetence-cum-artiness of Stuart Rosenberg has subverted the talent of the usually redoubtable Gordon Willis.
This and a few other scenes are truly suspenseful, but for the most part the film is a synthetic, forced story peopled with some interesting characters and fine performances.
Solid Newman-Woodward detective thriller.
About a cool gumshoe with a one-track mind — solving the case he's on
Dullish detective yarn that promises a great deal more than it delivers in story, direction or atmosphere.
An excellent sequel to Harper. It takes everything great from the first film without being repetitive. Paul Newman delivered a great performance as did a young Melanie Griffith. The story was extremely intriguing and entertaining, while also having a light hearted, comedic tone. Stuart Rosenberg made a film that isn't just fluff, it's extremely well made. If you enjoyed the first, I can't see you not liking this.
Super Reviewer
Lew Harper returns to investigate a case of the blackmail of a wealthy southern woman and uncovers corruption and murder. As usual. The sequel to Harper is far less jokey in tone and is more of a straight noir style thriller. All the usual ingredients are here; smart mouthed detective, hard-nosed cops, promiscuous young girl, shadowy land baron and the inevitable mix of small time hoods and snitches. The plot is very similar to that of Chinatown (although lacking its subtlety) but it actually works rather better than its predecessor because of the lack of swinging sixties style gimmicks; it has dated rather better as a result. A decent detective story that lacks flash or even a hint of originality but is good, solid entertainment.
mediocre and muddled but Newman is good as always.
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