Expired (2007)

Starring: Samantha Morton,Jason Patric . NOT your typical 'love story', But perhaps that makes it more in line to our lives. Jason Patric (Speed 2) absolutely steals this movie with an performance that is real and thought provoking as too "Alpha Male".Samantha Morton is a good girl and worth more than what she has been given,And may finally coming into her skin. This is a romance comedy about parking ticket officers and their prey,Unlawful car parkers.The "Making Of " is amazing when you see what into this Sundance/Cannes favorite.

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.

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" 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.