April 30, 2007
10 Items or Less: Check (it) out
Reviewer: James van Maanen
Rating (out of 5): ***½
The kind of tiny independent movie that really does seem independent, despite two stars such as Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega in the leads, 10 Items or Less works just about perfectly because of their performances and because it sticks to what it knows: the actor's life and craft, and the relationships that might develop from them. Writer/director Brad Silberling (of whose earlier City of Angels I was not enamored) bites off exactly the right amount of theme and events for his movie's 80-odd minutes and, together with an ace cast, fills them up with rough-hewn charm and grace. How and why good actors care about their craft comes through beautifully, and Freeman's deliciously sly take on the lesser moments of his generally splendid career comes through with nary a trace of pomposity or exploitation. Paz Vega again shows why she's so popular (Sex and Lucia, Solo Mia, The Other Side of the Bed) in her native Spain. Eventually she'll hit on an American film that will be both good but also appreciated by the masses and there will be no stopping her. Meanwhile, queue up for this sweet treat; a light supper rather than a full-course meal, it'll still leave you surprisingly satisfied.
Posted by cphillips at April 30, 2007 2:29 PM
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