BACKSTABBED

US, 2016, 85 minutes, Colour.
Josie Davis, Brittany Underwood, Micah Alberti, Brad Lee Wind.
Directed by Doug Campbell.

Backstabbed is a melodrama set in the world of Californian real estate agents. It opens with one phoning a client and then being murdered.

Then there is a transition to a class given by Paulette (Josie Davis), an expert agent, with an eager student, Shelby (Brittany Underwood) asking questions and then asking to be an intern. Paulette agrees – but her methods are not according to the rules, getting Shelby to pose as a wood-be client in order to clinch a deal. Shelby’s husband, Grant (Micah Alberti), thinks this is all unethical – and is not wrong, although he underestimates Paulette.

Paulette has a big deal going with a millionaire. He asks her to lure Shelby into his plans. Shelby, disappointed with Grant because Paulette has set him up with a call girl and taken incriminating photos, does some deals with the millionaire.

Paulette is evil incarnate, glamorous, smooth-talking, not repaying debts, living on the premises in secret to avoid rent, manipulating Shelby’s emotions, incriminating Grant…

All leading up to a very melodramatic climax where, fortunately, Shelby uses her ingenuity and turns the tables on Paulette.

1. A melodramatic thriller? How plausible?

2. The California settings, the countryside and available land for development, classes, homes, mansions, officers? The musical score?

3. The title, with reference to Paulette? To Shelby?

4. The opening, the real estate agent and her hopes, the murder? The later revelation that Paulette had killed her?

5. The class, Paulette and her style, the students, hopes for careers in real estate, Shelby and her question, talking with Paulette afterwards, asking to be an intern, no pay? Paulette accepting? Shelby at home, her relationship with Grant, marriage, love?

6. Shelby, the first house, the threats by Walter, Paulette passing them off, getting Shelby to do menial jobs, doughnuts, putting out the signs? Asking her to pretend that she was a client, Shelby on the phone, the too high price, the loss of the deal? Paulette and her reaction? The challenge to Shelby, her wanting to continue, the gay couple and her next opportunity, success? Discussing the matter with Grant, the justifying the behaviour, his criticisms? The need for money, paying off student loans, his job as a receptionist?

7. Shelby continuing, the bond with Paulette? Paulette and attraction to Shelby? Perhaps sexual? The issue of the land, showing it to Shelby, $50 million, the commission? Going to Max, his asking Paulette to lure Shelby? Paulette agreeing? The plausible talk to Shelby, the visit, drinking whiskey, the response to the flirtation? The continued visits, Paulette and her spiel, Max not listening, Shelby and her version, Max attracted, Paulette angry?

8. Grant, at home, his moral stance? Paulette poisoning Shelby’s mind, talking about men and infidelity? The set up in the bar, the call girl, the drink, the drug, Paulette sending the photos, Shelby’s anger? Her agreeing to talk with Max?

9. Grant, discussions with Shelby, urging her to find the camera phone? Shelby searching, discovering where Paulette lived? Her anger? Grant and his meeting the call girl in the bar, the information about the camera? Paulette?

10. Paulette, her anger with Shelby? Later trying to reconcile? Her being evicted from the office? All her talk about paying the rent, repaying Walter?

11. Walter, Paulette’s promise of the check, asking him to kill Shelby, his drive, wounding Grant? Grant in the hospital, Paulette coming to visit him in hospital? Paulette killing Walter and make it look like suicide?

12. Max, his advances on Shelby, no strings attached – but his attaching the strings, Shelby fleeing? Paulette at the door, abducting her, on the property, forcing her to swallow the pills, Shelby feigning unconsciousness, attacking Paulette, forcing herself to the car, phoning the police?

13. Paulette, trying to flee, her arrest? An embodiment of evil?