Being such a fan of Downey's Putney Swope, and believing there's a subconscious subtext that Downey may not even realize. I think the same can be said here for Hugo Pool. A hodgepodge of nutty characters in affluent L. A. that has cute Alyssa Milano as Hugo to watch over them in a motherly fashion. I think whats interesting is that Hugo is really a 'New Yorker' at heart. She's committed, disciplined, and fearless. And looks at her customers and parents as almost pitiful novelties she has to contend with. Amid all the grandiose houses, gardens and pools, it's the people that are most colourful. And as cute and colourful as Hugo seems in it all - she's straight up B&W in comparison. The only problems I had were with the Sean Penn character, as a nameless stowaway with nice blue shoes that accompanies Hugo's father in a truck assigned to fetch water. At best, he's almost an angelic figure that the father confides in, and gets a 'pair of wings' (the shoes) out of it all. The other was with the. Franz character played by Robert Downey Jr. As great an actor I think he is, he hammed it up WAY too much in this IMHO. Totally psychotic and deranged, but sympathetic.to the ALS ridden Floyd character. As maybe to point out insanity is as much a crippling and eroding disease as ALS is? But now the relation that develops between Hugo and Floyd I found really touching. I was skeptical when I saw the trailer, thinking it was going to be the most uncomfortable comedic part. But it was actually the most human and romantic thing I've seen in a long time! Very sensitive and serious. And as with Putney Swope, I think Hugo Pool is a movie that has to be watched a few times to fully appreciate. As the characters just are so bizarre on first viewing, they're hard to understand and/or keep up with. But they do have some funny lines and/or words of wisdom that are carefully woven in. And what I like about these 2 Downey movies is that they are timeless. Yes, Putney Swope maybe B&W and 'old NY' looking. But it doesn't make a point of being exactly that. Hugo Pool looks bright colourful and modern - but feels like a 40's romp that could work just as well in B&W and with The Marx Brothers and Jane Mansfield. Inventive and memorable movie that I'd like to rate higher. But with Bob being so humble about it still - I don't know if I should?
Review of Hugo Pool
