Review of 10 Items or Less (2006) by Jessica R — 03 Aug 2012

It can't be easy to make a 90 minute film that really features only two actors, but Brad Silberlings ten items or less manages to beautifully accomplish this feat. the film stars Morgan Freeman as an actor best known for his crappy action films along side Ashley Judd (which becomes a humorous running joke).

He hasn't worked in four years however. The film opens as he (we never learn his name) is circling a role in a small Indie film as a supermarket manager, being dropped off by the P.A. (a blink and you'll miss him Jonah Hill) He enters Archie's ranch market in the mostly Latino section of Carson, California.

Its here he meets Scarlett (the super beautiful Paz Vega) a 25 year old woman who works the 10 items or less aisle (hence the title). It is also here the film picks up steam. He is left at the supermarket and scarlett agrees to get him home, but only after she takes care of some things.

They travel together as she recovers her keys from her jerk off ex husband, seeks a waredrobe change at Target and goes on a job interview. This all may seem mundane but that is the point, this film is about two people who have in many ways given up, Scarlett believes she will wind up a childless spinster forever doomed to a life behind the check out line, He has forgotten his passion for performing, but through these seemingly boring tasks they discover not just their zest for life but kindred spirits within one another.

The film features some terrific cameos by familiar faces such as Hill, Bobby Canavale, Anne Dudeck and Jim Parsons but the joy here is watching Freeman and Vega. The two play off the other wonderfully.

He seems to be having a ball and She gets the most fully realized English language role she has ever had to date. There is a moment in the film where He asks about things one could love...keepers if you will.

Ten items or less. I'll take this movie as a keeper anytime.