10 Items or Less

A likable performance by the ever reliable Morgan Freeman fuels 10 Items or Less, an amusing if slight diversion written and directed by Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events). Freeman more or less plays himself: his character isn't named, but he's a film and voiceover actor recognized for starring in a recent movie with Ashley Judd (this one's title is Double Down, a stand-in for Kiss the Girls and High Crimes, two actual Freeman-Judd flicks). Researching a role as a store manager in an indie production, the actor pays a visit to Archie's Ranch Market in bleak Carson, CA, where he encounters the deaf old store manager, a sleeping butcher, and Scarlet (Paz Vega from Spanglish), an unhappily married young woman in a dead-end gig (she works in the titular express lane "where checkers go to die"). When his driver fails to return for him (and he can't get his agent on the phone), Freeman spends the day hanging out with the feisty, smart-mouthed Scarlet, helping her prepare for another job interview, joining her at the car wash, and shopping at Target (a nice bit where the gregarious movie star discovers the joys of discount retailing). That's about it for story: this is a character-driven movie, and both Freeman and Vega deliver appealing performances as two friendless, somewhat lost folks from different worlds who share a brief but meaningful bond. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary by director Silberling, a "making of" featurette, and a photo gallery. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a small but often appealing film.] (S. Graham)