DVD of the Week: 10 Items Or Less

This simple and delightful character comedy from writer/director Brad Silberling barely registered in theaters last year, but it stands a chance to find an audience on DVD. Morgan Freeman gives a casual, funny performance in the self-deprecating role of a voice over prone movie star whose name is never mentioned. It's not necessarily meant to be Freeman himself, but riffing on bad career choices, you get the feeling that he's bringing a lot of personal experience to the role. Considering how tragic he's been in so many films as a dozen different old-timers of various types and specialties, it is really exciting to see him lighten up and have a good time in something. He stars opposite the charming Mexican actress Paz Vega (Spanglish) in what amounts to sort of a small town, Americana interpretation of Lost In Translation. Freeman is researching a role as a grocery store manager for a new film and becomes taken with the cashier working in the "10 items or less" line. Together they go about their day, bringing joy and inspiration to one another in a pretty straightforward and foreseeable way that's only tacky once and cloying just twice (a new record for a movie of this sort, I think). It's a thin-plotted, well written film that follows the gradual advancement of their daylong friendship with wonderful detail and refreshing personality.

Also new to DVD this week is Stephen Frears' The Queen. Helen Mirren gives maybe her best performances (and in her case that's really saying something) as Elizabeth, England's reigning queen of perhaps dated ideals. In the wake of Princess Diana's death, she shows no remorse as is royal custom, but finds the nation crying out for public affection despite her wishes. Michael Sheen is also magnificent as Prime Minister Tony Blair who at first disapproves of the queen's stubbornness but soon falls into line with her regal authority. It's perhaps one of most inexpressive of 2006's acclaimed films, but there is most assuredly great care taken with each subtle frame. Something about this feels too rigid and methodical for my taste, but I still have great respect for it and all its participants.