I am a sucker for movies set in the city of Angels. From "Heat" to "Collateral" to "The Player" to "Nightcrawler," I just find that L.A. is such a cinematic city, no pun intended. Something about its landscape, climate, and sprawling geography make it an outstanding backdrop for all kinds of fascinating stories.
Now, we can welcome "Pocket Listing" to the list of awesome movies which have put the great town of L.A. to use. In fact, not only does the film put its setting to use, it practically turns it into one of the main characters of the plot. Set in the high stakes world of competitive real estate around the economic crash, "Listing" examines one agent's ascent and descent from the hills of Hollywood to the slums of Downtown. The film uses the landscape not only as pretty scenery but also to depict the varying degrees of distinction between those fortunate enough to have survived and thrived during the recession to those who weren't so lucky and had to live hand to mouth.
Guiding us through both worlds is our protagonist Jack (Jurdi, who I haven't seen much of before but carries the film beautifully). As he wheels and deals and finally lands himself a potential "make it or break it" deal at a palatial Malibu villa which has all kind of strings attached, the film veers between dark comedy, lightweight thriller, and zingy socioeconomic commentary. Throughout it all, we have terrific performances pushing things forward, from Lowe to Reynolds to the excellent Fahey and Clark (also up and comers who have hopefully bright futures).
"Pocket Listing" could be looked at as many things: a real estate movie, a morality play, a sexy, comedic thriller, but I most prefer to place it in the category of great genre movies about L.A. The city tells its story in this film, and in the end the story becomes a wide-ranging tall tale of a city and its inhabitants.
Now, we can welcome "Pocket Listing" to the list of awesome movies which have put the great town of L.A. to use. In fact, not only does the film put its setting to use, it practically turns it into one of the main characters of the plot. Set in the high stakes world of competitive real estate around the economic crash, "Listing" examines one agent's ascent and descent from the hills of Hollywood to the slums of Downtown. The film uses the landscape not only as pretty scenery but also to depict the varying degrees of distinction between those fortunate enough to have survived and thrived during the recession to those who weren't so lucky and had to live hand to mouth.
Guiding us through both worlds is our protagonist Jack (Jurdi, who I haven't seen much of before but carries the film beautifully). As he wheels and deals and finally lands himself a potential "make it or break it" deal at a palatial Malibu villa which has all kind of strings attached, the film veers between dark comedy, lightweight thriller, and zingy socioeconomic commentary. Throughout it all, we have terrific performances pushing things forward, from Lowe to Reynolds to the excellent Fahey and Clark (also up and comers who have hopefully bright futures).
"Pocket Listing" could be looked at as many things: a real estate movie, a morality play, a sexy, comedic thriller, but I most prefer to place it in the category of great genre movies about L.A. The city tells its story in this film, and in the end the story becomes a wide-ranging tall tale of a city and its inhabitants.