They've made great films about Wall Street, bankers, stock brokers, and even insurance salesmen. But not in recent memory has the real estate agent been a prominent film character. Now, we finally have it -- the real estate EPIC, and I'll be darned if it isn't damn good.
"Pocket Listing" romanticizes and embellishes the lifestyle of gaudy, smooth-talking Los Angeles realtor Jack (brilliantly and subtly played by newcomer Jurdi), who goes from hot tub orgies to cleaning toilets after some double dealing and a ruthless rival (Fahey, coldly terrific) contribute to his demise. As one of the film's main messages makes itself clear, you're only one deal away from hitting the jackpot or going bust.
The hook of the film is how it shrewdly presents parallel universes within the same town, showing major contrasts between Jack's lifestyle over the course of a short period of time. In that sense, the film becomes not just a character journey but also the story of a city, presenting a hodge podge of different characters from varying ends of the economic spectrum. Some are filthy rich, others are dirt poor, and a few may be somewhat criminal- - but they are all chasing the American Dream of infinite excess and uninhibited desires.
The American Dream has assumed many forms in cinema, but in "Pocket Listing" it embodies itself in the shape of a lavish, truly spectacular Malibu villa which just happens to be all of the characters' ticket to the big time. Watching Jack climb back out of the abyss and eventually take on the dangerous comeback attempt involving not just the house but also its owners -- a smooth as silk but oh so dangerous Rob Lowe and an extremely tempting femme fetal (newcomer Clark, chewing up the scenery here and looking to die for) -- makes up for the film's relentlessly engaging latter half. The plot twists and unexpected developments pile up as the story reaches its explosive climax.
It's tough to really place "Pocket Listing" in terms of pure genre. It's a combination of funny, sad, thrilling, sexy, and even at times unexpectedly moving. As far as light crime films go, this one's a hell of a good deal.
"Pocket Listing" romanticizes and embellishes the lifestyle of gaudy, smooth-talking Los Angeles realtor Jack (brilliantly and subtly played by newcomer Jurdi), who goes from hot tub orgies to cleaning toilets after some double dealing and a ruthless rival (Fahey, coldly terrific) contribute to his demise. As one of the film's main messages makes itself clear, you're only one deal away from hitting the jackpot or going bust.
The hook of the film is how it shrewdly presents parallel universes within the same town, showing major contrasts between Jack's lifestyle over the course of a short period of time. In that sense, the film becomes not just a character journey but also the story of a city, presenting a hodge podge of different characters from varying ends of the economic spectrum. Some are filthy rich, others are dirt poor, and a few may be somewhat criminal- - but they are all chasing the American Dream of infinite excess and uninhibited desires.
The American Dream has assumed many forms in cinema, but in "Pocket Listing" it embodies itself in the shape of a lavish, truly spectacular Malibu villa which just happens to be all of the characters' ticket to the big time. Watching Jack climb back out of the abyss and eventually take on the dangerous comeback attempt involving not just the house but also its owners -- a smooth as silk but oh so dangerous Rob Lowe and an extremely tempting femme fetal (newcomer Clark, chewing up the scenery here and looking to die for) -- makes up for the film's relentlessly engaging latter half. The plot twists and unexpected developments pile up as the story reaches its explosive climax.
It's tough to really place "Pocket Listing" in terms of pure genre. It's a combination of funny, sad, thrilling, sexy, and even at times unexpectedly moving. As far as light crime films go, this one's a hell of a good deal.