Free Samples - A Movie Review

I wonder what people I am going to meet while handing out ice cream.

Free Samples in a 2012 film. Jillian, a Stanford Law dropout, is asked by her friend to work an ice cream truck for a day. Reluctantly accepting, she meets odd characters throughout the day. The day turns out to be more eye-opening than she let on.

In my search for a movie, I noticed that Free Samples did not garner the best reviews. Most viewers claimed that it lacks a story and nothing happens. Films don’t constantly need to live on action.

Jillian (Jess Weixler) got on my nerves with some of her insulting remarks and opinions. She says the most random things to people. But there is more to her character. She has been through things and is unsure of how to go about in life.

Most audiences can relate to that. I liked all the subtle complexities that Weixler added. Connecting with certain characters, Jillian strips away from her mask, letting people in.

It does not matter how small your part is in a film like this. A lot of different characters appear. They have short appearances but make the best of it. This film is a study of human interactions.

Free Samples is relatable on so many levels to anyone who has worked in food service or retail. Sometimes you meet the craziest people with odd requests. Or they may pass on advice that you didn’t realize you were looking for.

Credits include Jesse Eisenberg, Hailey Feiffer, Jason Ritter, and an appearance by Tippi Hedren! I was so ecstatic when I saw her. Hedren was my favorite of the supporting cast. As I said, you never know who you will talk to on a shift. Her character felt a bit overdone in the end, but their interactions were heartwarming.

Each actor made their character well-rounded. You never know what anyone is going through in their lives. The dialogue was my favorite part about Free Samples. This film is all about dialogue and character interactions.

One location makes for a good plot. That, and stories that take place in one day. Something happens at every minute with Jillian serving customers, taking a break to look for a bathroom, or to think. The ice cream truck had a cool design. Since it’s an ice cream truck it should stand out to any curious customer.

I believe that Jay Gammill executed the story very well. Filming took place in 13 days. It’s a simple film and yet there is so much more to it, like growth. Some parts were overdone in the end, but he had fun with it. He kept the plot moving with little details. By the middle half, the film started running out of ideas to keep the plot movie forward.

The editing was highly achieved. Whenever Jillian wasn’t talking to customers, she’d do random things around the ice cream truck. I also like how it reflected her emotions.

Free Samples is a snippet of life. What is life about? If you don’t like your direction, it’s okay to make a change. There are always other options. Do what makes you happy.

Speaking of which, you should have a scoop of ice cream on hand when viewing this film. I was drawn to this film based on the plotline. We all need a film based on ice cream or any sweets.

Avoid the criticism and put Free Samples on your list. I like simple stories. I recommend it to any ice cream lover.