10 Items or Less 2006

Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune: Silberling demonstrates an unerring ear for the natural, often discomfiting rhythm of two strangers tentatively forging a connection. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: An amiable demonstration of how two charismatic actors and a relaxed writer-director (Brad Silberling) can squeeze an enjoyable movie out of practically nothing... Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: It's just a little film that strives to be likable, and is less so than it might have been. Read more

Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle: Freeman and Paz winningly play off each other. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: This is a sharp little slice of whimsy with Freeman giving a funny, very laid-back and sometimes touching performance. Read more

Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: It's a shame that at the final checkout, the movie wants to choose paper, but instead goes for plastic. Read more

Nathan Rabin, AV Club: [Morgan] Freeman is clearly enjoying himself, but his charisma and heavyweight presence can't quite redeem this featherweight concoction. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: It's a sweet, calculated two-hander starring someone you know very well and someone you've never heard of but probably should... Read more

Michael Ordona, Los Angeles Times: Read more

Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle: The film is brief, thin and anecdotal. Yet at its heart is a loving look at an artist at work, and that artist is Morgan Freeman. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: With a less camera-friendly duo, this movie could have been a real dud. Even so, it's nothing much. It does have the great virtue of being only 82 minutes long, though. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: So often the bearer of gravitas and dignity, Freeman shows up with a smirk on his face and a song in his heart Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: This sale is void. Read more

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: ...Best described as an "in-betweener" -- a no-budget, often experimental project that directors and actors sneak in between real jobs. Read more

Amy Nicholson, I.E. Weekly: Silberling has shot what feels like the first home movie to get a national release; it's too cute to criticize for anything other than its fluff. Read more

Jan Stuart, Newsday: A partially successful attempt at deflating Freeman's avuncular late-career image. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: [Brad Silberling is] Frank Capra without the edge. Read more

Jack Mathews, New York Daily News: Every potentially worthwhile or amusing moment in writer-director Brad Silberling's 10 Items or Less could be told in 10 minutes or less, with credits included. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Ten Items or Less is not landmark cinema nor is it deeply thought-provoking, but it's smart, funny, knowledgeable about life and people, and a crowd-pleaser. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: The bare-boned simplicity of 10 Items or Less is more a strength than a liability. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Robert Koehler, Variety: The fact that 10 Items has a 72-minute playing time before credits (containing the seemingly obligatory outtake montage) only points to how slight it really is. Read more

Nathan Lee, Village Voice: 10 Items or Less adds up to zilch. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: 10 Items or Less is a good-natured but failed experiment in meeting cute -- indie-movie style. Read more