10 Items Or Less Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
You Are Who You Meet
Sometimes in Life You Have to Change Lanes.
A well-known actor, who hasn't accepted a role in four years, is considering a project. The cousin of the director drives him to Archie's Ranch Market, in Carson, and drops him off to do a little research. He's fascinated by one of the checkers, Scarlet, a young woman from Spain with a preternatural ability to ring up items at the cash register. She hates her job, stuck at the 10 items or less lane. The actor chats her up, and when her shift ends, he asks for a ride. In the course of the afternoon, he helps her prepare for a job interview. She needs to have confidence, he needs to commit. Human contact, however brief, can change people.
| Morgan Freeman | Him |
| Paz Vega | Scarlet |
| Jonah Hill | The Kid |
| Alexandra Berardi | Mop Lady |
| Bobby Cannavale | Bobby |
| Anne Dudek | Other Checker |
| Jennifer Echols | Tracy with an E |
| Vivianne Nacif | |
| Leonardo Nam | Sales Kid |
| Scott Norris | Bison Member |
| Kumar Pallana | Lee |
| Jim Parsons | Male Receptionist |
| Hector Atreyu Ruiz | Gang Banger in Lowrider |
| Emiliano Torres | Gang Banger 2 |
| Shawn Calizo | Scared customer |
| Brad Silberling |
6.60 out of 10 (2224 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Sometimes the best things come in small packages
posted on 15 Aug 2009This movie proves you don't always have to spend millions of dollars and 6 months to year year to churn out the world's greatest epic. In the case of 10 Items or Less the movie was filmed in 15 days. The locations were Carson and Brentwood, CA. And a good deal of the story takes place in Archie's Ranch Market, Target, and a car wash. And this is one of the best films to come along - well - in a long time!
Morgan Freeman portrays a nameless (but very recognizable) actor who hasn't worked in four years. He's considering a part, as a store manager, for an independent film. Feeling the need to research this part before committing to the role, Freeman's character is dropped off at a Carson grocery market. And this is where he meets the "10 Items or Less" checkout girl, Scarlet Morales, played by the incomparable Paz Vega. They wind up spending a serendipitous day together. Their lives couldn't be more different, but they share a congruity. Both are somewhat trapped by their own intertia. The actor hasn't stepped beyond Brentwood in a long while and Scarlet hasn't stepped out of Carson.
Freeman's character is stranded with no cash - just a Diner's Club card (Thank you, Diner's Club). He can't remember his own phone number. Scarlet is the sharp, practical and pragmatic one and once she retrieves her Gremlin from estranged husband/store manager, they are in business.
What makes this movie amazing is the bond that forms between the actor and Scarlet. She has an job interview scheduled later that day. The actor puts his desire to get home on hold to help Scarlet prepare for the "audition."
It's worth the price of admission when you come to the scene in Target. The actor has never stepped foot into a discount department store. His first comment is "This is amazing." Scarlet responds sardonically, "It's Target."
The carwash scene is the next gem-he decides Scarlet's Gremlin needs some spiffing up before she pulls up for the interview. Whether it's the carwash, Target, or even Arby's, Freeman's character has a wonderful way of engaging people and Scarlet adds that sense of grounded reality. Each learn something from the other.
Another scene to watch for involves Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman near the end of the movie.
The soundtrack (which unfortunately is not available) is kick-butt to say the least. You find yourself humming it in your head long after the DVD has been put away.
Lightweight, but delightful
posted on 14 Aug 2009This movie is a little ray of sunshine in a dark season. It celebrates a quality best described as plain old friendliness. Morgan Freeman plays a character very like Freeman himself--a successful actor pushing 70. He has traveled to a small, rather grimy grocery store intending to research a part he might play, as a manager of such a place. He soon beguiles the staff and the customers, especially the lovely, if cranky, young woman (Paz Vega) who presides over the "10 items or less" checkout lane.10 Items Or Less doesn't have a big statement to make and doesn't pretend that it does. It follows Freeman and Vega as they become friendly, and as the older man offers his counsel, in exchange for a ride home--the movie-company gofer who is supposed to pick him up never shows and Freeman has forgotten his own phone number so he can't call for help. I had a little case of the blues on a gray Sunday afternoon in New York City and this flick cured what ailed me.
A Good Conversation Piece
posted on 30 Jul 2009There's no real plot to this film. It's all about two people whose lives briefly touch and who make a touching, unlikely connection.
There are a few too many quirks ladled into these characters' behavior to make them truly believable. Morgan Freeman plays an actor whose career is lagging and who therefore has agreed to star in the very indie film of a Hollywood newcomer. Freeman is chauffeured out to the limbo of a grocery store set in an improbably desolate industrial parking lot area, so that he can study a real store manager in preparation for his movie role. It's hard to imagine that any actor, however flagging his career, would take the time to venture off on such a goofy course of study.
Then Freeman is given the odd habit of clutching at the napes of passersby in order to sneak a peek at their clothing labels and check them for fabric content. Who does that? That is a bizarre eccentricity that the scriptwriters truly dragged in by the mohair.
There is also something rather unconvincing about the behavior of the young check-out clerk whom Freeman befriends. She moves from being a sullen, skeptical girl with a chaotic personal life, to being an open, heartfelt woman of calm philosophy. That sort of quick transformation is hardly believable.
Still, there is something appealing about this movie. You don't get many films that feature people getting to know each other fondly just by talking. This is no "Dinner With Andre," but if you enjoyed that movie showing two people weaving themselves together with zigzag stitches of conversation - then you will like this film.
Don't research it -just get it and watch it!
posted on 08 Jul 2009I'd recommend that you do this: DON'T read anymore about this movie, just buy or rent the DVD right now and watch it. You'll want to watch it several times, and you will enjoy every moment of the deleted scenes, and the special features.
GO! NOW! DO IT!
(if you haven't figured it out, I loved 10 Items or Less)
Morgan Free ... Man...
posted on 29 Jun 2009A difficult project, a director's film, relying mainly on vision and dialog. Takes some nerve to work on a plot like this and succeed, but job is well done. Normal camera work but well brought out colors and settings - Mr.Kubrik God, Bless His Soul, would have liked the color choice of the car. Movie succeeds to carry us along its quite atmosphere with good dynamics and rhythmic pauses mainly focusing on the settings everyday feel, which is a popular element looked for by Oscar nominating juries.Some People may wonder why this film is actually made – what did it target and why they like it, and the answer to all the above - is in the questions themselves - to make you think and that's what's nice about it.A strong focus on sensual ideas, human character, along with the above mentioned comments, makes this movie a success.6/10
Different, original, funny but not overdone, great cast and a good little indie film
posted on 16 Jun 2009Picked this one up at random, Always liked Morgan Freeman, and it seemed interesting from the description. And Thankfully, the experiment worked out. An actor researching a potential role as a grocery store manager in an independent film hooks up with the express lane (10 items or less) cashier. And for whatever reason, the stars aline and they bond over the course of the day. Ending is kinda different and abupt, but hey, its good, keeps you thinking. Just a great original film, worth checking out. Some good laughs, and actually a decent theme.
Not Much Things Happen But Tells A lot
posted on 09 Jun 2009Not that much things happen in this movie but A lot of meanings. The woman thought she had all that she can in life, but that was indeed not true, and she found out herself when she met this person who was conducting some research for his next job. There really should be more types of movies like this, im not even that old as considered "mature" ( im 13 by the way) and i still got the idea and point of the film. The main point is in my opinion: DON'T THINK YOU CAN'T HAVE A BETTER LIFE, JUST BECAUSE YOU CURRENTLY HAVE THIS ONE.Though I got to admit i was thinking of watching another movie but after reading all the reviews and seen the trailer i decided on this one even though i knew not that much action would appear in the film. I recommend anyone to watch this movie as it has very good points in the film, and is a really good ending.
Not a memorable film, but a decent one nonetheless
posted on 20 May 2009I'm a big advocate of independent film, and "10 Items or Less" is surely one that scores. If you're a Morgan Freeman fan (and who isn't?), you should enjoy yourself. He's great at anything he does, but in this particular film his performance seems much more natural. This may have something to do with the fact that he's portraying an extension of himself. For some reason, it seems like the lesser the budget, the better performances you get out of actors. There's not a moment in the film where Freeman doesn't seem to be having a blast with his role. Paz Vega gives a decent performance, but her incredibly thick accent makes a lot of the dialogue hard to understand. She learned English phonetically for this movie (not having learned English when doing "Spanglish"), and unfortunately it shows. For now, I think she should stick to doing movies in her native language. Anyway, if you're looking for a harmless independent film with good characters and good dialogue, I would recommend this film. It's surely not a gem, but it's worth watching.
Knowing When To End It Is Important
posted on 17 Apr 2009Knowing when to end a movie is just as important as casting, directing and acting. And it's nice to see when a director/script get it right. Clocking in at just 82 minutes, 10 ITEMS OR LESS doesn't stretch the story, trying to grasp at inane topics. It stays focused, being funny, sad, and well thought out.
Morgan Freeman (Lucky Number Slevin) stars as "Him", an aging actor grasping at any roles presented to him. We're introduced to "Him" as he travels to a supermarket in an out-of-the-way section of town by The Kid (Jonah Hill, Click). Realizing he has a star in his car, The Kid pressures Him to talk about his absence in cinema over the past few years. Him isn't very forthcoming because, not only has he been out of it for while, he's also en route to a shooting location of an indie film he might act in ("I haven't decided if I'm going to accept the part."). The Kid is a relative of the director involved in this indie venture and soon drops him in the middle of nowheresville. Stuck, Him decides to check out the local market. He immediately runs into the beautiful Scarlet (Paz Vega, Spanglish) who operates the 10 items or less register. Not just strikingly pretty but intelligent, Him begins using her as his prime research subject for his upcoming independent film role. He learns how she figures out numbers so quickly and why she knows the quirks of every member of this isolated community.
But Him doesn't just use Scarlet, he helps her so he can see deeper into her life. They travel together to get her car back from a cheating husband, and he teaches her how to act to get a new job she's pining for, and how to dress for success even when confronted with Target as the epitome of local clothing. This is probably one of the funniest moments as we get a glimpse of Him, too, showing his complete lack of understanding of the chain-store retail world ("These shirts are only $12 bucks! How is this possible?!")
The ending, as stated at the beginning of this review, is abrupt but apropos. There's no way these two could ever remain friends even though they form a unique bond. They know when to say goodbye and what each garnered from the other. It's a quiet but riveting moment as Scarlet's clunker car sits idling outside Him's L.A. mansion.
This is a great independent production and one that wastes little time getting going. And it won't waste your time either.
Disappointing film that could have been better
posted on 14 Mar 2009Just saw this on TV, and have happily now erased it. With a good script, this could have been an interesting film. It's a "very thin cup of tea" of a movie. All too thin. A good scriptwriter could have done something with the idea and given the characters something interesting to do and say. My advice: rent it before you buy it.
Delightful
posted on 20 Feb 2009This rather short movie is a delightful watch, though I would've liked to have seen more of the characters. Morgan Freeman plays an actor who hasn't played in a movie for a while and is 'researching' a possible role in an Indie film when he runs into a young girl in the 'ten items or less' lane in a grocery store. Vega's character has lots of spunk, but faltering confidence that she can strive to be more. I love the banter between Paz Vega and Freeman, as well as the other unique characters.
Chrissy K. McVay - Author
You make me want to be a woman.
posted on 24 Jan 2009One can only hope that there are many times when someone as powerful as Morgan Freeman can take the time to assist someone who needs help.It all comes down to loving people. As Will Rogers said, "I never met a man I didn't like." Of course, if you meet Paz Vega, what's not to like? That smile of hers can melt diamonds. She is just so fantastic that I can watch anything she is in. The same goes for Freeman. he is just magic on the screen.The two of them gave us a film that was funny from start to finish. From the Mexican supermarket to Lorraine & Bobby to Packy. It was tender, charming and just plain funny.You have to check this out.
The Making of "10 Items or Less"
posted on 20 Jan 2009While watching this movie, I came up with a script for a movie, called "The Making of 10 Items or Less":Producer: I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, we can get Morgan Freeman!Writer: That's great! But what's the bad news?Producer: We can only afford to hire him for one day. I guess we'll have to get someone else.Writer: So we hire him for one day. A movie is an hour and a half long. A work day is eight hours long. I fail to see a problem.Producer: But... he'll have to spend time getting into character.Writer: So we have him play a character who is essentially himself.Producer: But he'll still need to understand his motivation and all that. You're not saying we have him play a big-name actor that's doing a low-budget movie, are you?Writer: Why not?Producer: That's ridiculous! But fine, at least we'll have Morgan Freeman in our movie. And I guess we have to set the movie in Los Angeles too.Writer: Of course.Producer: This script is a load of crap. We'd better make money on this. Just in case, have Morgan Freeman's character plug Wal-Mart or Target or one of those stores, so at least someone will want to sell the DVDs.Writer: Sure thing!Producer: Wait a second... what's this about a tiny bodega with a "ten items or less" express lane?Writer: Oh, I guess that is pretty weird. But we can't change the title now!I doubt my script actually bears much resemblance to reality, but then neither did "10 Items or Less". This is a case of good acting, but bad writing, and I hate to see it happen. When watching an independent movie, you expect it to try to convey some sort of message. I think they might have been trying for the tired old "don't let anything hold you back" message that has been done to death in much better films. In any case, with "10 Items or Less", the only message I got was "Look! Look at Morgan Freeman!"
Brilliant
posted on 11 Jan 2009I'd have to say that this movie is just perfect. It's proof that one person really can make all the difference in another's life.
I just love Morgan Freeman as Him, and Paz Vega is my new favorite foreign actress. The two together are just golden.
I can't really describe how this movie makes me feel, witnessing these two characters changing each other's lives with every word, every emotion and motion. It's a true delight to see such a moving film that is so funny and sweet, so simple and engaging and has the perfect ending. A definite keeper in my collection.
sweet! no really!
posted on 13 Dec 2008Full disclosure: I'm a cynic. I like my endings sad and my hankies dry. I didn't cry when Bambi's mother was shot. Will Smith's new film Happiness looks like a desperate plea for an Oscar. Basically I was born without an artistic soul. So why on earth did I like "10 Items or Less?" Maybe it was the double espresso I downed before the show. Or (more likely) maybe it was that even the most hardboiled of movie fans could use an occasional shot of sweetness. And sweet it is. From the moment "Him" meets "Scarlet" (an event far from a Nora Ephron "meet cute") the view is taken on an intimate journey with two strangers learning to care about where their lives are headed. (Aided beautifully by Phedon Papamichael's cinema verity style camera work.)The main argument about the film is that it's too far fetched. Is the film far fetched? I don't know. You tell me. I've yet to meet Adrian Brody at the market. (However, not for lack of trying). Do I enjoy considering the adventures that might occur should this momentous event take place? Darn straight I do . . .that's where most reviews of "10 Items or Less" fall short . . .they fail to take into account that even we cynics have fantasies. And heck, sometimes, it's worth the price of admission to vicariously live them, 82 minutes at a time.
Unexpected and Likeable
posted on 08 Nov 2008This is a little movie that goes nowhere at a moderate pace.
Morgan Freeman plays an actor like Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega is a ranch market check-out cashier. These two are a couple of likeable characters who find themselves thrown together for a few hours because she needs to go on a job interview and he doesn't have a ride home.
The rest of the movie is just sort of a day-in-the-life of these two souls as they accomplish simple tasks, like going to Target for a new blouse for her, or getting her car washed, or eating a take-out meal. The blouse is quite revealing, by the way, and will provide gentleman admirers of Ms. Vega with an eyeful.
There are no car chases, gun fights or explosions. There is an off-screen fight between Ms. Vega and her estranged husband (a dispute over car keys) which sounds as though it may result in a physical injury to him of some sort, but we are not sure what it is that she has done to him.
Mr. Freeman is charming, as ever, but not much of an English accent - that's OK, as I don't really expect it from Americans anymore.
I really enjoyed the soundtrack, too - a nice old Paul Simon song throughout the final sequence.
Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega run errands.....
posted on 18 Oct 2008Don't be fooled by the premise of this movie. I rented this movie because I love movies about road trips but what I got instead was a movie about a washed up actor and a disgruntled supermarket cashier running errands while having "life-altering conversations." If you consider going to Target, the car wash, and Arby's a road trip then you will enjoy this movie. If you consider them your Saturday morning errands then you are probably like me and will consider them a little boring. As for the colorful characters they are supposed to meet during this road trip, I'm still waiting for them. Maybe it's just me or have independent movies lost that edginess that used to make them so great to watch? Independent movies to me have become very laborious to watch over the past few years due to mainly long, drawn out, almost unwatchable conversations between characters that aren't very interesting in the first place. This movie is a perfect example of that.
smart, funny, bittersweet
posted on 22 Aug 2009I'm a big fan of Morgan Freeman. 'The Shawshank Redemption' ranks at the top of my all-time favorite movies. But I have to admit that I have often wondered about his choice of roles. So many of his titles were big budget clichés with no heart. '10 Items Or Less' for me marks the return of Freeman to a role that truly showcases his considerable acting talents.Freeman plays an unnamed, formerly big time Hollywood actor who hasn't worked in several years. He has been offered a part in an unspecified indi picture for which he is doing some research at a grocery store in a poor neighborhood in LA. After being stranded there by his flaky driver, Freeman is offered a ride home by checkout girl Scarlet (Paz Vega), whom he has semi-befriended. Before she can take him home, however, Scarlet has a big job interview she needs to get to, and Freeman agrees to tag along in exchange for the ride.The movie follows Scarlet and Freeman to several locations, but the movie is really just a character piece about the interactions between the two. Freeman is the quintessential disconnected Hollywood type who hasn't heard of Target, and doesn't know his own telephone number or even what day of the week it is. He spouts wisdom from the Dalai Lama filtered thru his 'the whole world is but a stage' mentality, and repeatedly calls Scarlet's job interview an 'audition'. And yet he has a way with people, a way of affecting them that extends beyond his fame. He is a fan of humanity. He studies them, asks incessant questions about them, and delights in their quirks where others would simply be annoyed. In Scarlet, he sees the stubborn, proud loner that he was; he sees the man he used to be.Scarlet, for her part, displays a fierce pride and sharp tongue that serve to hide her own insecurities about herself. Vega plays the role with a connection to Freeman that skates the line between an almost daughterly love and physical attraction, although she plays it beautifully and it's not at all as creepy as it sounds. But even as she feels her connection to Freeman grow, Scarlet has a keen eye for the reality of their different worlds and cuts thru Freeman's Hollywood bull*hit with a sharp pragmatism that refuses to accept anything but the truth.The movie is smart, funny, and well written, with dialogue that is simple but effective. I read one IMDb review that said the lines were 'stilted', which I think is a misinterpretation of realistic human speech. There are no big soliloquies here, no deep soul searching moments. And so the trick is, I think, to show how people in ordinary, everyday life can forge connections with one another. And I think Freeman and Vega pull it off beautifully, painting a picture of a bond between two people that glitters like sun on the ocean, ethereal and elusive. Long after it's gone it lives on in your memories, tantalizing you with what might have been. OK, that was a bit flowery, but I really did like the performances and the movie. I would definitely recommend it.