Critic Reviews

• Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

  The obviously improvised proceedings -- at least let's hope they're improvised -- fail to produce the desired laughs, with frequent pauses after punch lines that will only result in lengthy silences.

• John Anderson, Variety

  A sometimes laugh-out-loud send-up of homebuyers' worst instincts, the extreme behavior of real-estate agents and what happens when the certifiably insane save enough for a down payment.

• Lael Loewenstein, Los Angeles Times

  A spoof, sometimes a funny one, and sometimes just plain overkill.

• David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle

  The film would have worked better if it had stuck more closely to real estate as both the source and target of the satire.

• Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

  If you can watch it without weeping over your own predicament, you'll see some serious talent bursting out.

• Laura Kern, New York Times

  No matter how ridiculous the characters come off, they're more than just punch lines. In fact, despite their quirks, [they're] improbably endearing.

• Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat

  ... more or less in the Christopher Guest vein, but with nowhere near as many laughs.

• Scott Weinberg, Cinematical

  Escrow isn't as polished or consistent as the best of its sub-genre -- but it's pretty dang funny for the most part.

• Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card

  Limited to three couples and their real estate agents and a handful of property locations, this indie never ceases to entertain.

• Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

  While far from the cream of the mockumentary crop, it's still a pleasant diversion.

• Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine

  Closing Escrow is one of those self-aware mockumentaries of the sort Christopher Guest likes to make -- only it's not that funny.

• Tim Grierson, L.A. Weekly

  There are occasionally mildly trenchant observations made about social status and racism, but overall this fixer-upper has very little curb appeal.

Read all 12 critic reviews