Directed by: Scott Thurman
Screenplay by: Jawad Metni, Scott Thurman
Cast: Jess Wexler, Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Halley Feiffer, Tippi Hedren
Running Time: 80 minutes
In Free Samples, the artificial ice cream concoction that’s being hawked to consumers as a tasty treat is nothing more than a chalky, bland mess. Ditto the film itself. The latest in a seemingly unending, wearying parade of slacker comedies, the movie initially appeals with an engaging title and the box office name of Jesse Eisenberg. Proving once again, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” Or, for that matter, a free sample.
If it’s free, how can we complain? Ah, but we will anyway. If nothing else, to voice our discontent at having to waste 80 precious minutes with a project that seems more akin to a student film than not. Can we speak to the manager, please?
Sorry, but the manager is permanently off-screen, and full-time employee Nancy (Halley Feiffer) just dashed off to handle a personal family matter. It seems that the ice cream truck – displaying the whimsical signage of “Mike’s Dream,” with an ice cream cone standing in for the letter “i” – is now in the shaky hands of Jillian (Jess Wexler), who inadvertently finds herself filling in for her friend Nancy. Hung over from twelve-too-many at the bar the night before, Jillian’s stuck in the truck, in the heat, with a glower on her face that acts as a perfect antidote for the sweet product she’s hawking. Yes, she’s stuck. Hell, we all are. Does anyone want to order up a plot while we’re waiting?
[For the full review and Kimberly's rating, please click here]