A
film review by James Berardinelli for ReelViews.net in Nov. 2005.
Shopgirl, directed by Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) from a screenplay by Steve Martin (adapting his novella), ventures into Lost in Translation territory. Although
the relationships in this film are overtly romantic and sexual (as opposed to
what was simmering beneath the surface in Translation),
there's the same sense of longing and poignancy, and a recognition of spirits
touching, then passing by. This is a smart, adult romance that rarely panders
to clichés, and gives up the heady bliss of most such movies in favor of
something bittersweet.
Mirabelle
Butterfield (Claire Danes), who
moved from Vermont to Los Angeles to find
a better life, works behind a counter in the glove department at Saks Fifth
Avenue. She leads a lonely life, drifting from day-to-day, while carrying
$39,000 in unpaid student loans and having only a cat to greet her every day
when she returns home from work. Desperate for human warmth and contact, she
falls into a relationship with Jeremy (Jason
Schwartzman), a font designer who
picks her up at a laundromat. Their fling ends when Jeremy decides to go on a
rock-and-roll road trip and Mirabelle heads in another direction. That other direction is represented by
computer executive Ray Porter (Steve
Martin), a commitment-phobe who appears like Sir Galahad to Mirabelle. He's
interested in sex with no strings, but she wants more. They have a discussion
laying down the parameters of their relationship, but each interprets the words
differently. Yet, despite his stated intentions, Ray's actions are more like
those of a man besotted than a man looking for a casual liaison.
One
tends to associate Martin with comedy, but Shopgirl
is a dramatic piece. There are humorous bits, including an instance of
mistaken identity that allows Jeremy to score unexpectedly with a predatory
salesgirl played by Bridgette
Wilson-Sampras, but, taken as a whole, the movie goes for the heart, not
the funny bone. Ten years ago, it might have been unthinkable to accept that
Martin has outgrown his wild and crazy
guy image but, considering the many serious roles he has accepted since Father of the Bride, Shopgirl seems more like the next step
in his evolution rather than a surprise.
There
are some missteps. The most obvious of these is the way Ray and Mirabelle's
story is occasionally interrupted to keep us apprised of Jeremy's
misadventures. Although much of the humor comes from these scenes, they are
unwelcome deviations. Our emotional energy is invested in Ray and Mirabelle;
every time Jeremy makes an appearance, we want to get back to the main story.
Plus, Jeremy's continuing presence is a dead give-away that his role in
Mirabelle's life is not over. While Shopgirl's
success does not demand a surprise ending, based on the way the film is
structured, it's not difficult to guess how things are going to turn out.
Claire
Danes, after disappearing for several years, has returned as an adult actress.
Following Stage Beauty, this is the
second straight movie in which she has agreed to a nude scene (it's tastefully
done - an artistic rear shot). She doesn't have great range, but, when cast in
a role that doesn't demand too much stretching, she can be effective. Mirabelle
is that kind of part. Danes also has the ability to transform from frumpy to
attractive with only a few changes, and that's an asset here. Martin, as
low-key as he has ever been, almost seems to be channeling Bill Murray at
times. Schwartzman is more annoying than endearing, but that's his specialty.
Most
of the time, romance is a convenient Hollywood convention - something that can
be sold to readers of Harlequin paperbacks. Rarely do we see a film that treats
the subject seriously - exploring the highs and lows, the deflating
disappointments, the desperate second-chances, the awkward moments, and the
delicious yearning. Shopgirl does all
of these things. It is not as strong a movie as Lost in Translation, nor does it leave as indelible a psychological
imprint, but it will find favor with many who liked Sofia Coppola's venture
into similar territory. [Berardinelli’s rating: *** out of 4 stars].
Blogger’s
comment: If you enjoyed The Girl in the
Café (2005) with Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald, or the dramatic moments in
Steve Martin comedies like Roxanne
and L.A. Story, then you might enjoy Shopgirl.
Labels:
drama, romance
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