By Janelle Henderson
“Shopgirl” is not your ordinary romantic comedy: it’s actually funny.
This realistic movie, based on the Steve Martin’s best-selling novella, immerses viewers in the lives of three unfulfilled people desperately hoping to find love. Claire Danes shines as Mirabelle, a lonely store clerk at Saks Fifth Avenue and an aspiring artist. Two men, very different in both age and maturity, enter her life and eventually force her to decide what she really needs. Fifty-something Ray Porter (Steve Martin) offers her a life of culture and expensive gifts, along with a mature relationship, while age-appropriate Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman) offers unwavering loyalty and devotion.
Steve Martin is consistent playing the despondent Porter but is overshadowed by his co-stars. The true gem, in all his awkwardness, is Jeremy. He unknowingly takes Mirabelle on the worst date of her life. It’s excruciatingly funny to watch him bring Mirabelle to a movie theater, only to sit, look at the theater and reply, “I came here to think about fonts.”
The movie isn’t without a few flaws. For the first half of the movie, you have no idea where the story will lead. There’s no real conflict in these characters, other than the self-realization that their lives aren’t as they intended. Jeremy’s sporadic one-liners keeps the story flowing.
The narration provided by Martin was reminiscent of “Matilda” and seemed to take focus away from the story. And the transformation of Jeremy from a slacker in jeans and a t-shirt to clean-cut seems abrupt and unrealistic. It was as if he knew that by changing his appearance but keeping his personality he’d win the girl.
“Shopgirl” is a poignant and hilarious take on what happens when you don’t settle for less than your heart’s desire. If only life were the same.
Director: Anand Tucker
Writer: Steve Martin (novella and
screenplay)
Staring: Steve Martin, Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman
Run time: 104 min.
Rating: R
Release date: In theaters now
