Rent Control (2003)

Fresh from the pastoral serenity of Iowa, the vibrant young couple, Holly and Calvin, step into the chaotic whirlwind of the Big Apple, their hearts brimming with optimism and naive dreams of making it big as actors. Their dreams, however, are quickly dampened by the harsh reality of New York's sky-high rents and ruthless competition. In a desperate bid to survive, they find refuge in the eccentric world of Holly's Aunt Agatha, a diet-pill devouring cat lady inhabiting a spacious, rent-controlled gem nestled in the heart of Manhattan's posh 90th St. and Central Park West neighborhood. Six weeks of relentless apartment hunting and a series of humiliating experiences leave Holly and Calvin teetering on the brink of surrender, ready to retreat to their Iowan haven. Just when the city seems to have defeated them, they stumble upon a morbid opportunity - the discovery of Agatha's lifeless body, victim to a fatal overdose. In a moment of desperation infused with a spark of cunning, they hatch a precarious plan. By keeping Agatha's demise a secret, they can retain her coveted apartment, carving out a foothold in the savage city that allows them to pursue their acting dreams. Their scheme, however, is not without obstacles. The sleazy building manager, Vincent Lasso, is hot on their trail, sniffing out foul play. Holly and Calvin's desperate maneuvers to outwit him lead them into a labyrinth of chaos, enlisting the help of the neurotic elevator operator, Dennis, and the unhinged janitor, Rico. Meanwhile, the specter of Aunt Agatha's apartment begins to cast a shadow over their relationship, slowly transforming them into the deceitful New Yorkers they once despised. Amidst the hilarious tumult to maintain their charade, Holly and Calvin find themselves embroiled in a deeper struggle - one that questions their relationship, their identity, and their future as actors and New Yorkers. As they grapple with suspicion, infidelity, and betrayal, they are forced to determine whether the price of their dreams is worth the cost of their innocence. In this madcap tale of ambition and survival, Rent Control (2003) explores the lengths to which one is willing to go to achieve their dreams, and the sacrifices that are often made along the way.

Rent Control is a comedy movie featuring Melissa Joan Hart and directed by David Eric Brenner.

Rent Control is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and Xumo Play.

It is also possible to buy Rent Control on Amazon Video, Apple TV and YouTube.