Parents' Guide to

Expired

By James Rocchi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Tough indie drama features great performances.

Movie NR 2008 107 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

The feature-film debut of writer-director Cecilia Miniucchi, EXPIRED follows the life of Claire (Samantha Morton), a quiet, introspective Los Angeles meter maid. Claire does her job and does it well, spending most of her evenings tending to her wheelchair-bound mother (Teri Garr), who's speechless since her stroke. Claire meets fellow parking officer Jay (Jason Patric), and the two have a series of strained conversations and awkward meals that culminate in something like a date. But Jay has no idea how to treat a woman, and Claire has no idea how a woman should be treated ... raising the question of whether the twosome's relationship is really what either of them wants or needs.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This film requires a leap of faith from its audience: Viewers have to tackle some big, rough issues and fairly ugly behavior, but the trade-off is getting to witness some truly amazing acting. Morton, Patric, and Garr are all terrific here, and indie-film stalwart Illeana Douglas has a few brisk, brief scenes as Claire's neighbor and confidant. Morton manages to make Claire a complex person, not just a vulnerable victim; Patric makes Jay's self-loathing aggression the most visible part of a wounded soul. And the two come to confront each other; as Claire says to Jay in one of the film's more emotionally naked confrontations, "Maybe you could try making love to a person, instead of a body."

Miniucchi may not shy away from ugly imbalances and interactions, but she's not simply playing the "shocking indie film" angle, either. Claire and Jay are people, not just positions; after the credits roll, you may find yourself arguing about the relationship you've just seen unfold and the characters you've just witnessed the lives of. Regardless of which position you take, you're going to have an opinion. And the plot, like life, throws a few surprises at the characters and the audience. Expired is a tough film about the challenges of living and taking chances; some of its laughs are wrenchingly uncomfortable, and some of its harder moments are excruciating, but it's always superbly acted and achingly sincere.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about relationships. Jay clearly has intimacy issues -- why?

  • Is his use of pornography and prostitution an impediment to real intimacy? How about Claire -- what keeps her from reaching out to other people and the world?

  • Why do you think so many movies are about relationships (particularly romantic ones)?

  • What is it about that topic that keeps people coming back for more?

Movie Details

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