Hot-buttered opinion on the latest flicks

10 Items Or Less

Thu., Nov. 30, 2006 4:05 PM PST by Luke Y. Thompson

From executive producer Morgan Freeman comes a movie about how awesome it would be to have world-famous actor Morgan Freeman be your friend for a day. No, really, that's what it's about.

If it were almost anyone else in the role, a world-class disaster probably would have ensued, but c'mon, who doesn't love Morgan Freeman?

Playing himself as a charmingly clueless and insulated actor (the movie coyly refrains from ever mentioning his name), Freeman finds himself dropped off at a Mexican supermarket to study up on a role.

When his ride home never shows up, he tags along with checkout girl extraordinaire Paz Vega, all the while giving her tips on method acting so she'll ace her upcoming job interview.

Meanwhile, he befriends everybody else along the way and is astounded to find items of clothing on sale at Target.

Writer-director Brad Silberling usually makes mournful movies about tragedy (Moonlight Mile, City of Angels), so this venture into light comedy makes a welcome change. At 82 minutes, however, it still feels padded with two music montages—the film would be better either as a short, or longer with more plot.

And be sure to stay through the credits for some of the best stuff.