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Shopgirl [2005]
![Shopgirl [2005]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515YHEPE0DL._SL160_.jpg)
In lesser hands, Shopgirl could easily sink under a wave of clichés, yet Martin's script never lets that happen. Mixing in a gamut of emotions, and charting the highs and lows of romance, there's a searing honesty to it all that makes the film hard to resist. Martin and Danes both give excellent performances too, although Jason Schwartzman as Jeremy does have a tendency to overcook his part in what's primarily a quiet, diligent film. Yet without resorting to big grandstand moments or contrived situations, Shopgirl manages, with little fuss, to tell an intriguing story in a very warm manner.--Simon Brew
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.96 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the novella by Steve Martin (who also pens the screenplay), Shopgirl centres on Mirabelle Buttersfield (played by Claire Danes), a lonely young woman working in the glove department of a vast department store. Working by day and occasionally spending time on her art at night, Mirabelle craves company, and that leads her to accept an offer of a date from Jeremy, a manic and slob-like character, and not one who's instantly particularly likeable. And then the very wealthy Ray Porter (Martin) comes on the scene. He too asks Mirabelle out, and the rest of the film follows her relationship with the two men who are effectively fighting for her affections.
A very pleasant and engaging surprise
Review date: 2007-12-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
Shopgirl is an engaging character piece that's shot with imagination and compassion and, while offering an inevitable and predictable ending still manages to leave you wondering just how it's going to get there. It's a gentle loving film that cares about its characters even while it concentrates on their flaws, and is graced by three strong performances: a very appealing Clare Danes, a wonderful slacker turn from Jason Schwartzman who finds great touches that aren't in the script (thank the lord that Jimmy Fallon dropped out!) and a very generous one from Steve Martin, who never hogs the limelight but keeps his distance while quietly drawing out his character's emotional limitations. Aside from its surprisingly strong visual sense and impressive use of the Scope frame, it's also great on the little throwaway details that cause the deepest pain in relationships - the key breakup is caused by a unthinking joke that is only insensitive in view of the characters' past history. There's also a fine use of third person narration by author Martin, used only at four points in the movie to illuminate desires and concepts that can't be comfortably fitted in as dialog or scenes that adds to the sad awareness of the piece. A very pleasant and engaging surprise.
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Reviews
slow-paced film with few surprises for the viewer
Review date: 2007-11-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
This was a film worth watching for Claire Danes performance but the overall story wasn't too compelling because the character of Jeremy was just too uninteresting.This was a showcase for a beautiful and talented actress and I can only conclude that when Steve Martin wrote the novella on which the film was based that he put most of his energy into developing Mirabelle's character and very little into Ray Porter's and
Jeremy's (ray porter is basically just the steve martin you see in most of his films from years ago but in Shopgirl Martin looks as old as the male characters in the film seem lazy and tired).
Bored me stupid!
Review date: 2007-10-25 Rating: 2 out of 10
Persevered with this film for 40 minutes then switched it off. Nothing happened in it. Story just bumbled along with a lack of entertainment or comedy!
a great way to spend a gloomy afternoon
Review date: 2007-10-08 Rating: 8 out of 10
i loved it. romantic, but not unreal or fluffy. Steve Martin is best in serious roles, i think.
More interesting than your average rom-com.
Review date: 2007-07-25 Rating: 6 out of 10
I think this film may have slight delusions of grandeur, but it's still nice to watch. The characters are well-played, and it's nice to see personalities that aren't Hollywood perfect and 'normal'. Jason Swartzman is very funny, and lends the film a bit of the 'indie' spirit and weirdness I think it's going for. The voiceover by Martin though is trite and annoying, and almost ruined the ending for me, so maybe try to ignore it.
The central message, being the importance of true love, isn't original exactly, but sometimes it's nice to be reminded of these things.
It's worth watching. :)
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Frances Conroy
Claire Danes
Steve Martin
Jason Schwartzman
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036026116
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2006-05-22
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: English (Original Language)