Underwater Speculations pairs Yehoram Gaon – making a welcome return to the screen, with the lovely Meshi Kleinstein in a light-hearted “whodunnit” comedy. Written and directed by Amichai Greenberg, much of the action centers around the local swimming pool, and the group of golden agers who swim there daily.
Gaon portrays Reuven, a retired actuary who, according to his granddaughter Eden (Kleinstein), likes “numbers more than people.” The film opens with a scene of synchronized swimming that turns out to be a memorial service for Reuven’s wife Menuha, who was much beloved by her fellow swimmers and the pool staff. But unfortunately, as Reuven explains at the service, according to statistics “being nice does not prolong life expectancy.”
Menuha’s sudden death unsettles Reuven, especially when he learns that there are things he did not know about her. It also leaves him quite alone in the world, feeling bereft. Although Reuven and Menuha have a daughter, she lives in Boston, and they are not close. However, as Reuven discovers, their granddaughter Eden had a good relationship with Menuha, who left her an inheritance, which Eden has come to claim.
Reuven does not know quite how to relate to Eden, who is an artist. And the feeling is mutual. However, when a large sum of cash goes missing at the swimming pool, Reuven enlists Eden’s assistance to do some investigating among the suspects – the people he swims with every day. The colorful cast of older swimmers are interviewed by Eden while suspicion shifts from one to another and secrets are revealed along the way. The interviews are augmented by captivating scenes from Eden’s video project, as she makes doll replicas of the swimmers and films them in water.
There are no major surprises in this gentle comedy, that touches on generational differences, relationships, and the secrets we all keep beneath the calm surface. The ensemble cast is a lot of fun, and Michal Yanai in particular stands out in her depiction of Helen. Gaon is very moving as Reuven, who is figuring out how to live his life, even in the face of uncertainty. Kleinstein brings a lot of charm to her portrayal of Eden, and the connection that develops between Reuven and Eden is very credible and heartwarming.
