10 Items or Less (film)

Synopsis

Through circumstance, two strangers, an actor (Freeman) preparing for an upcoming role and a cashier (Vega), drive around Los Angeles together, having a number of conversations about life and exploring the differences and similarities between their worlds.

Cast

Production

Freeman served as executive producer. The film was shot entirely in Carson and Brentwood.

Box office

The film was released in only fifteen theaters, taking in $35,929 in its first weekend. The total domestic box-office take was $83,291. The film was more successful internationally, grossing $1,315,931 in the foreign box office, with $486,895 grossed in Vega's home country of Spain.

Critics

According to Jonathan Rosenbaum of the Chicago Reader, the film is "A friendly demonstration of how two actors with charisma and a relaxed writer-director (Brad Silberling) can make a nice movie for practically nothing." In contrast, Desson Thomson, of The Washington Post, believes that the film is "a natural but failed experiment about a pleasant encounter in the style of independent films".

Critical reaction to the film was mixed, with general praise for the work of the two main actors. The film has had a 63% approval rating based on 59 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes.

Honors and awards

The film was named one of the "Top Independent Films of 2006" by the National Board of Review.

Home Media

The DVD was released in the U.S. on 24 April 2007. It includes commentary by Silberling, a featurette on 'the making of', 6 deleted scenes, and 3 promotional shorts.

Soundtrack

Although a soundtrack was not officially released, the following songs were included in the film:

1. "Rose" – Martin Blasick
2. "Latin Thugs" – Cypress Hill
3. "Las Isabeles" – Mariachi Sol de Mexico
4. "Cancion Villista" – Ixya Herrera & Xocoyotzin Herrera
5. "Colorin Colorao" – Jesus Alejandro "El Niño"
6. "Las Perlitas" – Mariachi Aguila Real
7. "Con Tu Amor Y Pasion" – Sergio Cardenas
8. "I've Got The World On A String" – Martin Blasick
9. "La Receta" – Kemo the Blaxican (song at car wash)
10. "It's Me Jody" – Herbert Stothart
11. "En Este Varrio" – Delinquent Habits featuring Ozomatli
12. "Al Pasar la Barca" – Paz Vega and Morgan Freeman
13. "Duncan" – Paul Simon
14. "Let The Horn Blow" – Delinquent Habits