EXPIRED

Directed By Cecilia Miniucchi

Review By Kim Jindra

I have to admit I am a sucker for romance, but Samantha Morton as Claire in EXPIRED gives a performance that intrigued me from the get go.  She

Breathed such life into the character of a sheltered Santa Monica meter maid that I felt like I not only knew her but wanted to encourage and nurture her.  Fortunately, that job falls in the more than capable hands of Ileana Douglas in the supporting role as Claire's neighbor, Wilma. 

When Claire is not reluctantly writing parking tickets, she is caring for her wheel chair bound mother played by Teri Garr.  Claire seems to accept her fate in life until a chance encounter with co-worker Jay (Jason Patric).  He is as angry as Claire is kind.  He lives to write parking tickets.  He revels in the power and seems to feed off the anger parking violators direct his way.   Claire in intrigued.

Jay is socially inept with a mercurial personality.  He wants to be a nice guy and at times thinks he is a nice guy but seems almost afraid.  Claire seems to see through his tortured behavior.  She is so willing to have a relationship that she puts up with his abruptness and caustic comments.  She seems to forgive him of everything when he is helpful with her mother.  And at times she finds his impulsive behavior thrilling and fun. 

There are a couple of subtexts that gave me pause.  The first is how often we look past "invisible workers" ,like meter maids, grocery store cashiers, bank tellers or postal clerks.  It is easy to take out the day's frustrations on these innocent people but maybe we should, as Claire instructs Jay, count to three.  Claire could have had any of these jobs and the story would have been meaningful because she is a special person.  The second involves the basic human yearning for love and acceptance.  Sometimes it is easier or less painful not to risk love or rejection but Expired raises the question of whether it makes life better.

Expired is well written by Cecilia Miniucchi and well acted.  My only quibble is very minor.   It is hard to believe that Claire could be overlooked by anyone.   Hair and makeup did their best to "ugly her up" but Morton's clear eyed beauty jumps off the screen.

Expired opens on June 20 in New York and June 27 in Los Angeles.  Go ahead and spend the money.  You won't be disappointed.