Ponderous "satirical thriller" set in the shark-infested waters of L.A. real estate wastes a serviceable story along with the talents of Rob Lowe and a few other good actors.

I really enjoyed this film. A smart mix of satirical dark comedy and ultra swanky neo noir, "Pocket Listing" transports you into a world of excess and wealth but then cleverly turns the table on its main character, plunging him into the depths of despair on the opposite side of the economic spectrum. The hot deal at the heart of the film is where the fun begins, but there's also a lot of humanity and heart to this tale of a crook trying to regain his soul in a world where the only way to survive is to out-thief the thieves.

"Pocket Listing" blends different genres in roughly equal measure. Mixing in elements of neo noir with darkly comic crime caper and satirical commentary on material excess, the film manages to cleverly execute the double-blinds and double-crosses. The twists keep the audience engaged, and the cinematography and editing are crisp. More than ever though, it's carried by a very appealing cast. James Jurdi's character is hunky, confident, and affable, while Jessica Clark's character is gorgeous, sexy, vulnerable, and dangerously seductive. Rob Lowe has a great turn as a rock star looking villain, and the film has solid supporting performances from Logan Donovan, Noel Gugliemi, and the great Burt Reynolds in a small but welcome role. Final Verdict: Smart and fun, sometimes tricky crime movie.

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