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Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Blistering performances.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

This is one of the worst, most depressing movies I have ever seen. It probably holds the Guinness record for inspiring more suicides than any other film ever made. The plot is unrelentingly abusive and painful to watch. The heroine is so self-loathing that she misconstrues perpetual verbal abuse and violent rape as romantic courtship. Her assailant is one of the most loathsome, totally unredeemable characters ever to despoil celluloid. (The coining of the term Schadenfreude easily could have been based on his foul, repellent persona.) I appreciate understated, nuanced performances, but the portrayals in this film never rose above the level of Stephen Hawking reciting the multiplications table. The cinematography is shakier than an 8mm home movie shot by Joe Cocker. The camera jerks from one target to another like the nervous tic of a schizophrenic. If you could give this movie credit for anything, it would be for consistency. It is awful from the first scene, through its entire exposition, and down to its unsatisfying denouement.

I was afraid, and very afraid, about the film. Then, while watching it, I felt for the main characters. Each and every one of them.I guess this is why they are called; SPOILERS; I rooted for the couple. They were good for each other. The misconception (that I even think Ebert mention,) is that S. Moron's character is abused, but she's too nice to know she's abused until the end. J. Pat.'s character is a low-class version of Nicholson in 'As Good as it Gets," but he can't get better without HER! There is only verbal violence, but not physical-- and you keep thinking, from critics and other posters here, that there be a "Star 80" type of ending.When there isn't, you wonder to yourself, a bit, weren't these people helping each other? Isn't this Red and Kitty Foreman for our generation? To keep it family entertainment-- I've had a girlfriend actually do stuff to me whilst watching some crazy web stuff. The "X-Files" dude is not a sex- addict, and I can't buy this guy being one either. He's a jerk that could use a shrink, but seems to be getting over his anger through his relationship with this woman... And it doesn't work out.Sam Morton's character seems to be too nice, and at the end she seems to get over it-- so her psychology is intact. How is this a full length feature about her abuse? She unscathed, whereas he is still unhealthy and mean, whereas he was on the road to health while with her (with her, and outside of being with her, but in public while being with her.) SPOILERS, No more! We're doomed! Used to be John Cassavetes or Martin Scorsese were considered 'indie films,' but it was because everything we saw back then was in the theaters, and we didn't want to see anything in the cinemas that wasn't a cold, hard hit. Films like this are being slammed for being 'Indie," and it seems certain actors being in the film are being submitted toward the films as a genre.If it were slapstick, without the overt dramatic overtones, this film would not only not considered clichéd, it would be parodied by the next 'Something' Movie parody to parody a parody movie. No hit there, and no real way that it could be seen as a interesting film here. And, it's a shame, because film like this well set on the shelf while crap like that gets released and DVD (always unrated version)released within a month.Don't promote this, promote them... Watch the American film industry go bankrupt like the rest of America, okay? 8.0

I wasn't expecting anything, considering that several indie dramas have left me a little disappointed lately. But Expired proved much better than I expected.For one, the story both flows well (if a little slowly for some) and benefits from a sincere treatment, without any fluff. The two main characters, as odd and bizarre as they might look, strengthen the genuineness of the experience. The words coming out of their mouths feeling like words, not scripted lines. Of course, many will say both characters are extremely odd but anyone who has worked in social services, or known someone who did, will know about such oddities and such relationships. Before I continue I must commend both leads for their performances. Samantha Morto and Jason Patric are two actors that never disappoint and here, they really shine and give the movie the extra boost that makes it worth several viewings.Where the movie can strike particularly hard is that, while their issues are extreme and both are at the tip end of the scale, so to speak, you'll still be able to recognize shades of these attitudes in your everyday life. Might be some friends, some coworkers, family members. It might not be that extreme. It might not be extreme at all, but Jay's way of dealing with insecurity and ineptitude will resonate with many. His preemtive defensiveness is a trait we too often see, even in gentler, kinder persons. Likewise, Claire's lethargic nature, her passivity (flaws that are hindering her life before she even meet Jay), will also strike a chord with many. The story does a good job showing us that Jay didn't have to set any elaborate trap or masquerading himself as something he's not.Their flaws is what makes them "compatible" (in a very sad sort of way) with each others. And Cecilia Miniucchi's story and direction really depict that very well. In fact, it's almost perfect until the last 10 or 15 minutes. What has prevented me from giving this movie a near perfect score of 9 is what I feel was a slightly easy way out for the resolution. I just didn't buy the drastic turn of event.Nonetheless, this movie gives food for thoughts. It is very much a study not just of (flawed) relationships but also a great character study. In fact, I felt it was more successful in that respect than many movies that have received more praise, like the pretty good Half Nelson.I look forward to Cecilia Miniucchi's next film. Job very well done!

This was the first movie we attended at Sundance 2007. There was quite a bit of food for thought in this movie. The main character, Claire, is a very likable person who is quite lonely. Because of her desperation, she finds herself dating a totally reprehensible person "Jay" (Jason Patric). He was such a horrible person that I had a hard time seeing just why Claire continued to let him into her life. At one point in the movie, Claire's character implored Jay to "be nice to me." That was a very poignant moment in the film. As I said earlier, this movie had lots of food for thought, most of it about why women are attracted to men who seem like jerks to the rest of the world. The movie truly didn't answer these questions, and it was a depressing film to watch. Teri Garr was very good in a dual role as Claire's stroke affected mother and as her perfectly healthy but obnoxious aunt. Samantha Morton was brilliant as Claire, and Jason Patric also did a wonderful job. It was a movie that was quite difficult to watch, however, so I don't know how successful it will be.