Review of 10 Items or Less (2006) by Chads. — 24 Apr 2007
It's a canny move on the filmmaker's part that Morgan Freeman is never identified explicitly as himself(unlike Maggie Cheung in Olivier Assayas' "Irma Vep"); as the A-list star of films such as "Driving Mrs.
Daisy" and "Million Dollar Baby", or else, his fame would chew every scene with condescension, when the Academy Award-winning actor picks the brains of ordinary working stiffs at their menial jobs(as research for an independent project that his character is mullling over).
As Freeman, his interest in Scarlet(Paz Vega), an uneducated but street-wise checkout girl, might come off as feigned(no matter how likable he comes across), because his social and economic status would be too overbearing.
"10 Items or Less" is a slight, a very slight confection that gives Freeman a much-needed break from playing the role of an authority figure, the guy who takes charge when the straits are dire.
This is his best change-of-pace role since Neil LaBute's "Nurse Betty". And Vega(the star of "Sex and Lucia"), who de-emphasizes her god-given beauty in a similar way as Halle Berry did in "Monster's Ball", uses this opportunity to show that she can more than hold her own with an A-list star such as Freeman(Adam Sandler, whom she co-starred with in "Spanglish" doesn't quite count).
Scarlet never feels inferior or servile towards this notable industry professional, even though it's implied that she should when the cashier drives the actor back to his lofty Brentwood residence.
That's when it hit me: "10 Items or Less" is kind of like Morgan Freeman's "Roman Holiday". This film is an undervalued gem.
This review of 10 Items or Less (2006) was written by Chads. on 24 Apr 2007.
10 Items or Less has generally received mixed reviews.
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