Pocket Listing (2016)

Takes itself way too seriously

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

An unexpected masterpiece

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Well scripted and acted, highly enjoyable and fun to watch.

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.

Sex, drugs, and... real estate!This film has a little bit of everything... great scenery, beautiful women, nefarious characters, a stunning bombshell, and a suave anti-hero. On a superficial level, the film is more than pleasing to the eyes and exceptionally well directed by Allyn, who transports us into this fantastic world of corrupt characters and fringe players.But what's more impressive about the film is the way it allows you to sympathize and care for the character's arc. The performances are all gold, led by the superb Jurdi as the morally gray broker who learns some life lessons, aided by a great Fahey as a villain you love to hate, a drop dead gorgeous Clark as a simultanously manipulative but vulnerable trophy wife, and veterans Lowe and Reynolds in small but notable roles.But above all, "Pocket Listing" is just a good time. Check it out..

This was just a really enjoyable film from start to finish. It takes unexpected twists and turns throughout the course of its devilishly clever script.Filled with great performances, the story takes us on a wild ride through the Los Angeles real estate scene. Flashy but substantial, it keeps the viewer thoroughly invested, never boring and always throwing new curveballs just when we get comfortable.Films like this can usually get lost in the shuffle of Hollywood blockbuster releases, but hopefully "Pocket Listing" will find the audience it deserves.