Expiration Date (2006)

Memorable, crazy movie

Brilliant and touching

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I enjoy films that are different but not stupidly different just for the sake of it. And this one has a different premise that's enjoyable, for sure. The title refers to the fact that the young man believes he is doomed to die on his 25th birthday because he will be hit by a milk truck.It sounds far-fetched, but the filmmakers make it work. Although low budget, the production values are good, and the director has a sure hand. The cast is universally likable, and the performances never drag.He also utilizes Seattle landmarks exceedingly well, without being cloying as some hometown filmmakers might be tempted to do.Yes, there is a Native American theme that crops up, but the film is not preachy or weepy as some films like that can be. It's far more universal than that - it's about people, it's not about a cause. Which of course means that it affects you more deeply than a preachy film would because it's not hitting you over the head. Plus it's a comedy! If I am defining the film mostly by what it isn't, I apologize. I guess I've seen so many low budget films that fail to engage me, that I am pleased and relieved to find one that does.Oh, and special mention goes to cast member Dee Wallace (the mom from "E.T.") who plays a mom here. She has one of the funniest lines in the movie - I won't give it away here - but you'll be pleasantly shocked to hear it come out her mouth and laugh out loud. One of the funniest lines ever said by any mom in any movie, I swear.Do yourself a favor and rent/buy this sleeper little hit.

This quirky, fun movie was fantastic! I would definitely recommend it. The acting was flawless, particularly with the delightful Sascha Knopf, who lights up the screen. Her comedic and dramatic acting chops are in full view throughout the entire film. Not only is the film entertaining, but it is beautifully executed as well. It is clear that all involved parties knew what they were doing! Additionally, this film has wide-range , lasting appeal. It is great for all ages and I could see audiences of all demographics enjoying it. While the subject matter may seem a little out there, the film is very effective in achieving its goals. It cleverly expresses true life lessons without coming across as preachy or heavy-handed. It kept the audience laughing the entire time, and brought tears at all of the right moments. I would be surprised if this film didn't go far.

So there's this young man, see, and he knows when he's going to die due to an old family curse, and he spends the last two weeks of his life preparing for his grisly demise.Sounds gloomy, doesn't it? And a bit corny.Happily, Expiration Date avoids both of these two pitfalls adroitly, and what could have been an 'artsy' bit of gallows humor is instead a very surprisingly warm romantic bildungsroman. It is often cheeky, sometimes hilarious, and never self-indulgent.After a brief framing narrative (think of the boy-and-grandpa bits in The Princess Bride) we are introduced to our hero, who believes that, like his father and grandfather before him, he is doomed to be crushed by a milk truck on his next birthday, just a few days hence. The preparations he makes for his imminent demise certainly occasion a few obvious bits of black humor (measuring the view from his burial plot by stretching himself out on the grass) but that takes up a lot less of our character's attention than the young woman who has entered his life and who keeps encouraging him, despite himself, to get involved with living instead of with dying. Her performance, sometimes a bit shrill, is the only sour note I felt in this movie, but I was able to overlook it because the lead character is so charming and she is clearly trying to serve as a foil for that.The plotting is neatly reflexive, with lots of little detailed sub-plots which are brought around later in the movie and wrap the whole bundle up so that it's more allegory than realism. But that turns out to be okay (minus, again like the Princess Bride, the unnecessary framing story), and the leads generally keep things light enough that we excuse the poetic bits. I certainly hope this one finds a distributor. It deserves it.

I heard Rick on a local radio station last week talking about the films' plot and that it was shot entirely in Seattle. It intrigued me. After making sure I was not going to see rated "R" fare, I traveled from Federal Way last night to the Egyptian Theater. I was pleasantly entertained and would not not hesitate to have my wife and teenagers see the film.It was also good to see some actors/actresses I recognized; Dee Wallace Stone, David Keith, Nakota Larance...Rick and company: Thank you for a truly enjoyable experience. I especially enjoyed the Native American scenes.