Shopgirl

A friend of mine asked me recently, "What's up with you and Steve Martin lately?" I love watching his work, that's all....and maybe I'd have a few of his babies. It's also been awesome watching the progression of his work from The Jerk and the Wild and Crazy Guy to L.A. Story to Shopgirl and everything in between.

I picked up the Shopgirl DVD over the weekend and really enjoyed it. Based on a novella by Steve Martin of the same name, Martin based the story on personal experience, stories from friends and anecdotes heard along the way. He wrote the script and Anand Tucker directed. Martin made the comment in the special features that Tucker, being from England, brought a great look to the film because he was able to see Los Angeles from an outsider's point of view and put that on the screen. Just like Mick Jackson (another Brit) had done in L.A. Story.


The story is about Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes), a young and lonely woman who works at Saks Fifth Avenue behind the counter in the glove department and is a part time artist. Mirabelle meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), a slovenly slacker, in a laundromat and they go on a date. Mirabelle isn't impressed by Jeremy, but seems to hang out with him out of loneliness. Mirabelle also meets Ray Porter (Martin) shortly after her date with Jeremy when he buys a pair of gloves from her and begins to pursue her. Their age difference is vast, but Mirabelle is impressed with his sophistication and wealth. He knows who he is and is cultured and successful, unlike Jeremy.


Ray and Mirabelle begin a relationship with a misunderstanding. Ray tells Mirabelle they should keep their options open and that it's only a temporary arrangement. Mirabelle hears something different and believes they have a future. They begin to spend more and more time together. Complications arise in their relationship in the form of Mirabelle's depression and Ray's infidelity. In the meantime, Jeremy is on the road with a rock band and begins a journey of self improvement. Ultimately, Mirabelle feels she has been given a choice on whether to hurt now or later.


The film is very nuanced and subtle. It's a little reminiscent of Lost in Translation with the May-December relationship and slow moving action. The visual aesthetic reminds me a little of Amelie, with the colours, but not as oversaturated as Amelie. The film has a beautiful aesthetic look to it and gets more beautiful and colourful with Mirabelle's arc and sensual awakening with Ray. Great compositions. The performances are all great and everybody is perfectly cast. Claire Danes gives a depth and intelligence to Mirabelle that not many actresses her age could.

Instead of ending with a quote from the movie, I will quote from the IMDB message board of Shopgirl. There is an interesting thread where people have debated about whether Mirabelle should have chosen to hurt now or later. From the user named cindic8....

"You always need to consider how the other person makes you feel about yourself. If you have a healthy self-image, you won't stay with someone who doesn't behave in a way that indicates that they feel damn lucky to be with you." Word.

More ramblings to come........