Written by The Minor Prophets and directed by Derek Frey, ‘The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry’ is a short film starring Gil Damon, David Amadeo and Steve Kuzmick. 

The plot is the best bit of the film so I will keep it spoilerfree. A middle class American family is contemplating whether to repair their pool or let it rot due to the high cost of repair. A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger in the pool kicks off a night of fun, leading the family to come to a decision regarding the pool. Was this stranger real? Did they imagine it? Find out all the truths when you watch ‘The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry’.

Directed by Derek Frey, the film is a blast. There is genuine human drama, a bit of levity, some fantasy and a resolution that is both wholesome and surprising. I was wondering where they would take this odd story and I am glad they decided on a tangent that no one would have seen coming. This is wholly the result of the script by the Minor Prophets who manage to inject some gentle fantasy into everyday life, resulting in a story that hits close to home. 

Gil Damon as Henry Osgood is fantastic. Being the man of the house, Henry is in charge of the pool; he obviously doesn’t want to let it rot but the high cost of repair is keeping him from making a decision. Gil brings to light the middle aged dad in such an authentic way that it elevates the film significantly. He is earnest, he is forward and his ability to embrace the fantastical is the best part of the story. The rest of the cast is awesome as well and a huge shoutout to David Amadeo for playing the stranger with such perfection. 

Technically, the film remains on point. The cinematography is vibrant and colorful, allowing a new dimension in an already original story. The camera work is perfect as well and the pool scenes really bring a zany energy to everything. The sound mixing is also fantastic and the musical score allows the audience to feel the various emotions that Henry is feeling as he contemplates the future of his beloved pool. So, The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry is a beautiful audiovisual experience that manages to impress in more ways than one. 

Thus, The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry is a fantastic short film that combines a variety of genres to create something exciting. I was blown by how original the concept was and how perfect its execution was. I would give the film 5 out of 5 stars and cannot recommend it enough.