Shopgirl
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Movie Reviews of Shopgirl
Movie Review: ...fell in love
Summary: 5 Stars
i loved this movie... a part of me is her. this movie was great i loved it... a lil bit of more sex than i think there should have been but it was goodMovie Review: Great movie
Summary: 5 Stars
i thought that this movie was great. best movie with steve martin in along timeMovie Review: Martin's Novella Transferred to the Big Screen
Summary: 4 Stars
Mirabelle (Claire Danes), an artist who has moved to Los Angeles from Vermont, works at the glove counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. She stands at her station, day in and day out, watching the beautiful people spend a lot of money on the expensive dresses displayed around her. After work, she makes the trek back to her small apartment in Silver Lake, maybe works a little on her art, has some dinner, and goes to bed, rested for the next day. Oh, yes. She's lonely as hell and bored out of her mind. One evening, at the Laundromat, she meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzmann), a struggling logo designer, who asks her out. A couple of days later, Ray Porter (Steve Martin), a wealthy, older businessman stops at her counter and buys some black gloves. That evening, the gloves have been delivered to her door step along with an invitation for dinner.
"Shopgirl", based on the bestselling novella by Steve Martin, who also wrote the screenplay, is remarkably true to the spirit and tone of the book. If you loved the book, you will most likely love the film. If you hated the book, the movie will probably leave you with the same feelings.
Steve Martin is developing into one of those personalities who juggles projects that are close to his heart with the more commercially viable projects that he realizes he has to make, so he can continue to make the other projects. So for every "Cheaper by the Dozen", we get a "Shopgirl". If you are able to successfully vet the `commercial' projects from the more artistic projects, you will be able to enjoy many hours in your local multiplex or in front of your DVD player. Martin has never been a great actor, but he is certainly funny and willing to take chances leading to his participation in films like David Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner" and "Shopgirl". He wants to strengthen his abilities and show that he isn't simply a `wild and crazy' guy anymore. He is an actor who can do drama, romance, mystery and comedy. If he occasionally has to make films like "Cheaper By The Dozen 2" (yes, the first was so successful, he has made the sequel with Bonnie Hunt, Tom Welling, Hillary Duff and everyone else in tow), it is a small price to pay to allow him to make the better, more artistic projects he clearly loves to make. My suggestion: avoid any sequels, whether Steve Martin is in them or not, unless you hear a lot of great word of mouth or critical praise. This includes the inevitable sequels "Wedding Crashers 2" and "The 39 Year Old Virgin: Before the Big Bang".
"Shopgirl" isn't a simple story, despite what you may believe from the trailer. It paints a complex portrait of life and romance in modern day Los Angeles. This and the fable-like quality pervading the entire film help to make it more memorable.
What the film does really well is accurately portray life in modern day Los Angeles. Mirabelle had dreams, at one point, and seems stuck in the reality of having to work for a living. She devotes what little time she can to her art, but the effort is minimal, hindered by the fact that she has no inspiration in her life. I know that this happens to many people who come out here to "make it big". It is a reality. And the film conveys this well. Because she is so desperate for something, anything to happen in her life, she agrees to go out with the strange Jeremy.
Claire Danes does a great job as Mirabelle. Everything she experiences is real and believable and her character's journey is interesting. We understand why she would jump into the arms of the strange Jeremy; she is extremely lonely and needs physical contact. We understand why she would fall for Ray, a man at least thirty years her senior; he is a knight in tarnished armor who takes her on actual dates. He wines and dines her and buys her clothes and expects little from her. As the relationships get mildly more complicated, she reacts in believable ways. At times, she seems like your younger sister. When she is hurt, you want to put your arm around her shoulder and give her a hug.
Steve Martin is also very good as Ray Porter. One of his more sedate performances, it works well throughout. As the wealthy businessman who spends a lot of time in meetings, traveling from his house in Seattle to his house in Los Angeles, he has little time to connect with anyone on a meaningful level. When he meets Mirabelle, the connection is there, he just doesn't know what to do about it. His old habits occasionally resurface, providing some tension to the relationship.
Jason Schwartzmann is, for me, the weak point in the film. During his first few dates with Mirabelle, he is so over the top it stretches credibility that she would ever consent to go out with this weird guy. He is slightly manic, very nervous and not the most presentable person in the world. Yet, she does give Jeremy her number, they go on a date, which consists of sitting at City Walk (a Southern California monstrosity attached to Universal Studios) and looking at the theater marquee. Miraculously, she lets her loneliness take over and agrees to a second date, of sorts, with him. The performance is so at odds with the rest of the film is seems out of place. The character is necessary to the rest of the story, but he seems pulled straight out of a television sitcom. Strangely, as in the book, this character all but disappears for a long period during the middle of the film. We check in with him occasionally, but it almost seems like Martin had the good sense to get him out of the way so we could concentrate on the two more interesting characters in the film, Ray and Mirabelle.
The film opens and ends with similar shots, sweeping views across the Los Angeles freeway-scape. The millions of car lights bleed together to form a sort of abstract painting. Slowly, the camera pans to the stars in the sky (clearly the work of special effects because it is all but impossible to see that many stars in Los Angeles) and slowly moves in on a window in the middle of a sky. Looking through the window, we look down on Mirabelle in her bed. Later, as Ray makes one business trip after another, we follow him into his private plane, as he sits thinking about his life. The camera pans to the window and looks out on a field of clouds. These sequences set the tone for the film, making the story seem like a fable. I would almost call it a fairy tale, but the characters make some decisions along the way which seem hard and remove the overall rosy glow of a "fairy tale", so fable seems to fit. These people are in the real world, but the story is slightly romanticized.
At times, "Shopgirl" almost resembles a play adapted to film. Many scenes involve just Mirabelle and either Ray or Jeremy. In this case, this isn't a bad thing, because it helps to show how insular each of the character's lives are. They don't have a lot of interaction with others, which is why they are so intent on trying to create a relationship with each other.
"Shopgirl" is a good, faithful adaptation of the book and presents an interesting story about three people who form a relationship and bond.
Movie Review: Life, Love and Loss: A Modern-Day Romantic Masterpiece
Summary: 4 Stars
Shopgirl. Romance, comedy, drama. Starring: Claire Danes, Steve Martin, Jason Schwartzman. Directed by: Anand Tucker. 104 minutes. English subtitles. M.
It's not often you get a realistic, yet heartfelt and philosophical look at modern day romance, in the cinematic world. In amongst the tacky and the predictable films available in the romance and comedy genre, Shopgirl is a refreshing breath of fresh air mixing together a fun and amusing storyline whilst also pointing out some of life's realities and truths about love, dating, emotions and how two people can interpret a conversation and situation they are both in, entirely opposite to one another.
Director Anand Tucker who is also known for participating in the creation of such movies as `Bridget Jone's Diary' and `Beyond The Sea' as well as writing and directing many of his own films has done a beautiful job of bringing Steve Martin's 2001 novel of the same title, to the big screen.
Away from the busy, bustling excitement of the crowds downstairs in the department store Sacks where she works, Mirabelle Buttersfield is introduced to us as a lonely and bored glove sales girl, who while waiting patiently day after day for customers who barely make it to her counter because her area is not a popular choice for sales, yearns for something or someone special and promising to fill her life and longs for a magical romance like the ones she sees around her.
Enter Jeremy, an awkward, sloppy yet well-meaning artist and `amp stamp' designer, who Mirabelle meets at a laundromat quite unexpectedly. The two embark on an uncomfortable, clumsy, yet semi-satisfying journey of dates and passion. Finally feeling wanted and needed, Mirabelle keeps coming back to him and cannot forget him even though she feels that he is not the right man for her.
All of Mirabelle's dreams finally come true when she is propositioned by a suave and charming businessman, Ray Porter, who is the complete opposite of Jeremy. He showers her with extravagant gifts and gives her the tender and seemingly uncomplicated love that Jeremy failed to provide her, and in return she gives him her most treasured possession; her heart. But looks and charms can be deceiving. Mirabelle must come to terms with the realization that those in her life may not have her best interests at heart and figure out who her loyalties really belong to.
The movie gives a deep and meaningful look at human growth and becoming a better person through the inspiration of others, and moments in life not being what they seem, but is also quite superficial in parts in regards to each character's worth as a person based on looks, status and wealth, which of course is only a truthful reflection of society's expectations and prejudices. However, there is the feeling throughout the film of the idea of the `perfect man' and changing who you are to fit this mould both physically and emotionally, being very important in order to gain the affections of someone you love in order not to be sidelined, rather than you and the ones around learning to love you for who you are.
The settings of the film are laidback and moody with soft lighting and gentle darkness falling around places like Mirabelle's apartment and the outside areas to give a presence of mystery, sensuality and romance. Every piece of scenery has its' own unique specialty to make it fit with the scene and mostly gives a feeling of tranquility and peace, with the mixture of both the layout and lulling instrumental music. Objects are used in creative ways for symbolism like windscreen wipers hitting the sides of the window loudly when Mirabelle herself is very angry and disappointed, perhaps both to show her emotions and to give the impression that even her windscreen wipers are not perfect just like her life isn't, and seem to be against her, trying to drive her crazy.
City lights are shown lit up all around from high above, every now and then to blend with the view that we are all connected with one another.
Slow motion is used to dramatize scenes of happiness, sadness and even to symbolize thought, such as when Mirabelle is driving in her car and listening to a radio show which is discussing the type of hormones brought out when a person is embraced by their lover, the cars and street lights ahead of her move slowly as if she is deep in thought and coming to a life-changing realization.
The music ranges from pretty, gentle taps of the xylophone and moody, melancholy strings from instruments such as the violin and piano, especially when Mirabelle and Ray are together, to give the sense of an uncertain but special new beginning, the music is upbeat and funky when both Jeremy and Ray ask Mirabelle out to give a feeling of excitement, breaking away from the mundane and getting what she's always wanted; some form of love.
Claire, Jason and Steve's acting abilities really shine in this film. Each actor really becomes their character, whether it's with the scared, tortured looks of sorrow and uncertainty from Mirabelle's eyes, the intense, charismatic gazes from Ray or the awkward, embarrassing body language and actions from Jeremy, each actor is convincing and make for an entertaining watch.
Shopgirl is a highly recommended film. Ranging from both dark and light, deep to humorous, it is a film that will strike and capture just about anyone's sensibilities.
Movie Review: Lonely and looking for love in Los Angeles...
Summary: 4 Stars
Shop Girl is such an "LA" film. Not only is it set in Los Angeles, but the film also evokes the city's very unique sensibility. Based on Steve Martin's best-selling novella, Shop Girl is all about big city isolation and loneliness and looking for love in all the wrong places. Working from a script by Martin, director Anand Tucker has made a quiet, delicate and nuanced film, featuring some fine performances from its three very appealing leads.
Claire Danes plays Mirabelle, a beautiful, dreamy and messed-up artistic young woman who sells gloves for evening wear at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and lives in a quaint apartment in the suburb of Silver Lake (just down the street from where we live!).
Lately, Mirabelle has been having a hard time of it - her student loans have been piling up, and she's been suffering from bouts of depression; it's as though she's been spending all her time in Los Angeles just waiting for something to happen, her situation endemic of the routine isolation experienced by women who drive to and from their solitary apartments, perhaps hoping someone eventually will offer them love.
One night at the local launderette she meets the emotionally immature and unkempt Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman). Jeremy is your typical Silver Lake urban grunge, who earns his living decorating amplifiers for rock bands and lives like a pig. He's far too unsophisticated for the lovely Mirabelle, yet they are both artists and the same age so a connection gradually develops.
However, it is the older and far wealthier Ray Porter (Steve Martin) that really beguiles Mirabelle. Ray takes an instant liking to her when he purchases a pair of gloves. Ray is so much more appealing. A dot-com millionaire with mansions in L.A. and Seattle, a private jet and enough money to make a girl feel like Cinderella every night, he's made Mirabelle the envy of all the other girls at Saks Fifth Avenue, especially vamp Lisa (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras). Ray steadily showers Mirabelle with gifts whilst, making it perfectly clear that this is a casual relationship.
The stage is set for a love triangle, with the sensitive and easily hurt Mirabelle, facing some harsh decisions about who to love. Obviously, Jeremy is not right for Mirabelle the way he is; he's ambitionless and cheap, and a bit of a dummy. Only through reinventing himself will Jeremy ever have any hope of obtaining Mirabelle's love. Ray may be rich, but he's also rather cold, and insensitive to Mirabelle's feelings - most importantly he remains non-committal.
But are Jeremy and Ray really that different? Mirabelle must learn to make love the basis, and assess how well each man gives it as well as receive it. She's an intelligent, perceptive and intuitive girl, who knows what she's getting into, but she finds herself getting caught up in a situation that she's just not able to emotionally handle.
Whilst the plot is a bit lightweight and feathery, the movie is mostly buoyed by the performances of Danes, Schwartzman and Martin - who is very good at playing against his comedic type. Danes beautifully captures the affecting, fragile inner quality of Mirabelle's life. It's a brilliantly understated performance that never resorts to histrionics or mawkishness. She gives her heart even when it is broken but never pleads for our sympathy.
Martin plays Ray Porter with a calm coldness and he's obviously a successful businessman who seems to have sufficient funds to do whatever he wants. But he's also lonely and bored and somewhat shut down emotionally; Ray knows Mirabelle's isolated. He's able to spend money on her, but never in ways that feel tawdry and you never get the feeling that he's just being a "sugar daddy" - there's real love and affection there.
And then there's the marvelous Jason Schwartzman as Jeremy. He's a sweet and kind young man, but he has no idea how to seduce a woman and it is only by going on a kind of spiritual road trip that he can learn how to elevate himself to Mirabelle's stature. The film does have it's faults - the soundtrack is a little heavy-handed, and Tucker lays the sentiment and pathos on when he doesn't really need to, but the movie is always compelling and we get to the see the lovely Claire Danes shimmer vintage dresses and high heel shoes, she also drives a pick-up truck and puts on glasses.
For local viewers, Shop Girl provides some great scenes set in and around the funky Silver Lake and there are also the dreamy and poetic views of the City of Angels to admire. Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky infuses his camera work with a deep sense of longing, as though Mirabelle's tale is just one of the many stories beneath the swaying palms and roaring expressways of people who just want to be loved. Mike Leonard April 06.