Etcetera @ The Movies: Shopgirl - [Matthew]

Steve Martin first ventured into the literary world with 1997’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a play. Not surprising perhaps that his new film Shopgirl, based on his 2000 novella of the same name, is also human-sized and unfolds with the unhurried pace of drama taking place in just a few locations.

Mirabelle Butterfield (played by a nigh-on-gaunt Claire Danes), lonely in her late 20s, sells ladies’ evening gloves in a remote corner of Sak’s Fifth Avenue in Los Angeles. While sitting in a Laundromat, she meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), an endearing cheapskate slacker with dreams of turning the guitar amplifier world upside down by making amps “cool, like Macs.”

Their first date begins and ends awkwardly, but days later Mirabelle, still desperate for comfort and completion, calls up Jeremy who drops by her apartment for what ends up being clumsy and sad sex. To her dismay, Mirabelle still finds herself lacking the fulfillment she longs for.

Shortly thereafter, successful and debonair 60-something Ray Porter (Steve Martin) enters the glove department and begins wooing the lonely Mirabelle. Though cautious, she falls in love with him and lets herself enjoy the expensive gifts he showers on her. But what is their relationship about? Where is it going? Each of them has a different idea and this conflict serves as the driving force of the story’s drama.

In the end, Shopgirl is a film about relationships (though not a chick flick), illustrating how the mistakes made and wrongs suffered in one relationship can actually prepare you for the next, better one. And if you think that that premise wouldn’t provide the slam-bang edge-of-your-seat thrills of a Michael Bay A.D.D. fantasy, you’re right.

Director Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) provides confident direction and beautiful shots, especially of Ray’s home in Seattle. Tucker also incorporates a stunning CG sequence that’s both jaw-dropping and perfectly fits as a metaphor into the story, not standing out like some kind of ‘look at me’ stunt. I won’t ruin it for you, but wow.

The script (adapted by Martin himself) manages to use L.A. as a backdrop while avoiding insider jokes and commentary about the city and the industry, a’la L.A. Story. The humor woven throughout is subtle and avoids going for the easy laugh. For reasons unexplained, Martin himself provides a brief third-person omniscient voice over at the beginning and end. Both unnecessary and confusing. Whether the pace is slow or unhurried, you’ll have to decide for yourself.

As with his novel "The Pleasure of My Company", Martin shows his knack for pulling together an ending that’s unexpected, yet satisfying, sweet and romantic, but not sappy or contrived.

If you have the patience for a thoughtful, somewhat heavy, drama with splashes of quirky and tender comedy, it may be worth getting to know Shopgirl.

* * * 1/2 (out of 5)

Rated ‘R’ for some sexual content and brief language.
Running time: 107 min
Opens Nationwide Friday, November 4th