The Art of Pool Scenes in Coming-of-Age Dramas

In my obsessive watching of coming-of-age films over the last few years, I’ve noticed a rather interesting pattern: many of them feature iconic swimming pool scenes. Whether it’s used as a setting for a party, a way to beat the summer heat, or simply a relaxing activity to pass the time, swimming pools have undoubtedly played a starring role in many of the coming-of-age films we have come to know and love. But, what does a shimmery, chlorinated body of water have to do with this genre? What is the symbolism behind a swimming pool in coming-of-age films? Well, let’s dive in...

In the wise words of psychiatrist Carl Jung, “Water is the commonest symbol for the unconscious.” Though a body of water may appear shallow from the surface, there is often much more to be uncovered upon plunging deeper in. And the same thing can be said about characters in coming-of-age films.

Initially, the young protagonist may behave or present themself in a certain way around their friends and peers. They may feel the need to do this in an attempt to maintain their image or status, or possibly even because they are too afraid of opening up about who they really are. However, these pool scenes break through the facade that the protagonist has been hiding behind for much of the film, ultimately revealing a much more vulnerable side to them that has not been seen until now. After much anticipation, the audience is finally given a glimpse into the true nature of the character - their personality, mental state, dreams, hopes, and desires, to name a few. In essence, the swimming pool serves as a tangible representation of the character’s mind that the audience is able to delve much further into.

On the one hand, the swimming pool lends the protagonist to physically strip down until they are in nothing but a skimpy swimsuit showing much of their bare skin. They are fully exposed, put out on full display, and have nowhere to hide. But on another level, the swimming pool scene also forces the lead character to strip down emotionally. Their only option is to now confront the deeper existential crisis that they have been avoiding or running from since the outset of the movie.

Starting off, let’s take a look at the pool scene in a recent release like Booksmart (2019). To set the stage, this coming-of-age film follows Amy and Molly on the eve of their high school graduation. After four years of nothing but continuous studying and test-taking, they finally start to reflect back on all the fun and adventures they missed out on as a result of their competitive, overachieving nature. Because they are determined to make up for lost time, Amy and Molly decide to break their own rules and enjoy themselves at the last party of their high school careers. It is at this party that the two girls are ready to take that leap of faith, both literally and figuratively.

We watch as Amy makes that first jump into deep waters. She is in complete awe of her environment, checking out everyone and everything she sees around her. This is a truly emotional, transformative moment for Amy because she feels as if she is on top of the world, totally liberated and wholeheartedly herself for what seems like the first time in years. With this newfound boost in confidence, she strives to look for her crush Ryan, but suddenly everything that had been building up for Amy comes toppling down when she discovers Ryan making out with Molly’s crush. In an instant, the pool - which felt so exciting and welcoming a moment ago - now seems much colder and unfamiliar. This pool scene emphasizes the exciting, daunting nature of discovering oneself in our formative years as teenagers. Though Amy is ultimately discouraged by her unfortunate discovery across the pool, this was nonetheless a pivotal scene that depicts the empowering feeling of finding happiness and courage within oneself.

Another set of my favorite pool scenes can be found in the 1967 film The Graduate. In this film, Benjamin Braddock is a recent college graduate who is back living in his parents’ home. Despite this major accomplishment, he is constantly bombarded with adults pestering him about what his plans for the future are. Still struggling to answer this question for himself, Benjamin can often be found in and around his backyard swimming pool passing the time by. In one instance, Benjamin is seen floating aimlessly on a pool floaty, telling his father how “it’s very comfortable just to drift here.” In this context, the swimming pool demonstrates how his character is simply drifting through life, taking one day at a time. The last thing that Benjamin wants to do is think or worry about his future, however, he can’t seem to avoid this topic with his parents always pushing him to do more. Mr. and Mrs. Braddock are more concerned that Benjamin should “take some stock in himself...and start thinking about getting off his ass,” as his father puts it. He feels trapped, or as if he were drowning in his own life which is further conveyed in another pool scene where Mr. Braddock forces Benjamin to dress up head-to-toe in scuba gear and pushes him to the bottom of the pool as if he were the toy figurine in his fish tank. All in all, The Graduate utilizes the swimming pool as a tool to convey that draining sensation of feeling constant pressure from all sides - his parents, society, and also himself.

One final coming-of-age story that leans more on the unconventional side of this genre, is the 2014 film It Follows. I say unconventional considering that this coming-of-age tale is primarily told through the lens of a horror/thriller. After a seemingly innocent and normal sexual encounter with her new boyfriend Hugh, 19-year-old Jay is confronted with the worst news imaginable - she has now become the latest target of a lethal curse that never stops following its target until it is passed down to the next unsuspecting victim. It Follows is a scarier-than-life metaphor about the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted diseases. This is conveyed by the terrifying force of nature that is constantly lingering behind her wherever she goes. In my eyes, “It” is the physical embodiment of society’s unwarranted judgment and disappointment of people who have contracted STDs. The film reveals that only Jay is able to see “It,” further emphasizing the idea that the victim often feels alone in the matter. This idea is evident in the ending pool scene where Jay is left to fend for herself as the creature hurls varying electronic devices directly at her. Though her friends are by her side, doing everything they can to kill “It,” they still have no sight of the invisible figure, ultimately signifying that this is a battle that Jay must face on her own.

By this point, swimming pools have been featured in so many coming-of-age films, I would even go to say that they have become a staple piece in this genre. Though I mainly focused on three different pool scenes, there are plenty more films that feature this location for a central, climactic moment. Some of my favorite pool scenes can be found in beloved coming-of-age films like Lady Bird, Thoroughbreds, The Edge of Seventeen, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Eighth Grade, and of course, I couldn’t forget about a classic like High School Musical 2. So the next time you watch a coming-of-age film, be sure to look out for *the pool scene.* Not only is it one of the most visually stunning moments in the film, but it can tell you a lot about a character and what they are going through.