Expired

She starts by telling us she is the most hated in the world. That's because of her profession, but her attitude towards life is really much like the hated one. This woman, Claire, is shy, a loser, and she doesn't expect to be anything else. But there really isn't anything tragic about it.

Then this man turns up. An emotional invalid and an impossible love relation starts. These are people who don't take anything for granted. He's aggressive about it, she isn't.

Samantha Morton is tremendous in this part as a completely non-boring bore. She teaches us that you can live a life without success. And that life is a true one.

I saw "Expired" in Salt Lake City at a regular theater screening. I simply loved it. I had no idea what to expect but my gut instincts told me to go the minute I read that it was about two parking enforcement officers (what a great premise and original idea!!!) and their unusual love affair. Well, first of all, I would like to say that I think this is Jason Patric at his best. This should be his comeback. His character, even if you may at first think he is not that nice of a person, is so well played. He manages to add so much humor and charm to his role and you do understand why she would put up with him. Samantha Morton is also great. She does so much with so little. All from her inside and so settle! It's a powerful, genuine, frank performance by both of them that carries you through the film in such a wonderful way. This film makes you feel so many things all at once: laugh, cry, sorry, uncomfortable, fun! And how can one not relate? We all have been under the spell of the parking tickets people and we all have been in a somewhat unfair relationship. But I do also think that Expired makes you think a lot and makes you realize that we are the victims of our time, with its loneliness and isolation and that this film pushes us all to go out there and get love! Does anyone know who is distributing this wonderful indie and when? I would love for my family and all my friends to see it.

Expired is one of those films that remind you about simply just being human. I was fortunate enough to watch this at it's Los Angeles screening. I found myself, as the story went along watching the audience just as much as the characters on the screen. The story is exquisitely woven, I felt the writer was a maestro just when I felt like laughing I wanted to cry. There were moments so poignant that even as the film progressed you find yourself thinking back to those scenes. This film is an emotional roller coaster, but worth the ride. Basic human emotion, empathy and relationships, this is the film to watch. No bells and whistles, just magnificent writing and performances. Jason Patric gives the performance of a lifetime and Samantha Morton is the reflection of the human soul.

I saw Expired. It's a fine film. Writer and director, Cecilia Miniucchi, did a superb job, the acting was great. What strikes me, though, is the film's uncanny resemblance to Federico Fellini's La Strada (The Road) starring Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina (Fellini's wife), Richard Basehart. Miniucchi said that she purposely cast Samantha Morton as the lead. I think she did so because Morton resembles Giulietta Masina. She has the same big sad eyes and innocent face. Jason Patric is the rugged emotionally crude Anthony Quinn.

In La Strada, Quinn buys Mesina from her family and takes her away in his THREE WHEEL Motorcyle caravan to help him with his little strong man road show. Mesina must beat a drum and proclaim, "Zampano is here," in each small town.

In Expired, Jason Patric, takes Claire on the road (to Pomona) in a THREE WHEEL traffic cop's vehicle.

There are a number of similar scenes throughout Expired. But in the end, Patric, like Quinn, is too crude to earn Morton's love. In La Strada, Quinn abandons Mesina, only to discover her spirit in a seaside town. The confrontation undoes him and the end of the film shows him weeping on his knees next to the sea.

This movie was absolutely wonderful. At times hard to watch because it was so honest, it had humor, sadness, well rounded characters and was unique. Jason Patric was fantastic, the best performance I've ever seen from him. How he managed to get us to like him even though he was such an awful human being is a testament to his fine acting. I was not as impressed with Samantha Morton's performance but they work off each other so wonderfully and have such chemistry that you can't help but love them together and it works. Illeana Douglas was terrific too... you wonder why you don't see her working more.

Just loved it. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't like this movie other than they just don't get it.