Free Samples is everything you would
have expected from an independent film in the 90s; it has over-written dialogue
with amateur acting and limited locations. There are a few bright spots in the
film, mostly coming from more experienced actors who briefly appear to show how
the contrived dialogue can be convincingly spoken. Perhaps I am being too
harsh, because aside from the plot, the dialogue, the main character and the
leading actress, Free Samples isn’t a
terrible film.
The glaring issue
I had with this film was a completely unlikable protagonist. Jillian (Jess
Weixler) is a law school dropout who moved to Los Angeles
As snarky and
hypocritically judgmental as the dialogue for Jillian is, having Weixler in the
role does not help. She scowls her way through so much of the film that when
she does smile it doesn’t seem sincere. And her entire performance felt forced,
so that even the act of having a cigarette was done in a manner that appeared
very self-aware. It was very clear that she always knew where the camera was
and was doing everything specifically for it, whether speaking lines to another
character or simply faking a hangover alone. I didn’t enjoy this performance at
all, from an actor’s perspective or as a lover of cinema. It reminded me of Clerks, which is another over-written near-singular
location independent film with terrible acting from the lead. If only Free
Samples were edgy and made twenty-years ago…
The DVD release
has no special features.
Entertainment Value:
3/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 3/10
Historical
Significance: 1/10
Disc Features: 0/10
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