Shopgirl

( 10 )

Overview

Steve Martin wrote the screenplay and served as co-producer for this screen adaptation of his short novel, which takes a witty but bittersweet look at a young woman and the two men involved with her. Mirabelle Buttersfield Claire Danes is an aspiring artist in her mid-twenties who, after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles, where she works at the glove counter of an upscale department store. Mirabelle's job is simple and not demanding, but it doesn't pay especially well, and she finds herself struggling...
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More About This Product

Overview

Steve Martin wrote the screenplay and served as co-producer for this screen adaptation of his short novel, which takes a witty but bittersweet look at a young woman and the two men involved with her. Mirabelle Buttersfield Claire Danes is an aspiring artist in her mid-twenties who, after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles, where she works at the glove counter of an upscale department store. Mirabelle's job is simple and not demanding, but it doesn't pay especially well, and she finds herself struggling to get out from under a growing mountain of debt from student loans and credit cards. One night, while doing her laundry, Mirabelle meets Jeremy Jason Schwartzman, a scruffy but likable would-be musician who makes ends meet selling guitar amps. While Jeremy is obviously infatuated with Mirabelle, she isn't sure how she feels about him, especially after she meets Ray Porter Steve Martin, a man in his fifties whom she meets at the store. Ray is independently wealthy, intelligent, and charming, and after asking her out on a date he sweeps her off her feet. However, while Mirabelle quickly falls for Ray and he's generous to a fault with her, he refuses to commit exclusively to her and suggests they should both see other people, a prospect that no longer holds much appeal for her. Shopgirl received its world premiere at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival.
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Special Features

"Evolution of a Novella: The Making of Shopgirl"; Deleted scenes; Audio commentary; by Director Anand Tucker
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse
Hollywood Renaissance man Steve Martin, adapting his critically acclaimed novella Shopgirl, also takes a lead role in this small yet fully satisfying film. Shopgirl may not illuminate any Big Truths or break new ground in screen storytelling, but it does explore its central character relationships in a more realistic, non-sugarcoated manner than typical Hollywood romances. Martin’s character, wealthy bachelor Ray Porter, takes an interest in Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes), an aspiring artist who works at the glove counter in Saks while honing her talent. Although he’s old enough to be Mirabelle’s father, Ray finds the alluring young woman smart, attractive, and enchanting, and in short order he makes her a trophy girlfriend. This arrangement suits Mirabelle, at least for the time being, because Ray’s money enables her to experience things that would otherwise be beyond her reach. Of course, there’s a fly in the ointment: her other suitor, Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), who lacks Ray’s sophistication and standing but has charms of his own. The story is told with refreshing maturity and frankness, the narrative unfolding in unpredictable turns. For these reasons alone, Shopgirl would merit attention; but the cake’s icing is the tremendously appealing performances of the starring trio. With this delicate treat, the multitasking Martin can add another feather to his cap.
All Movie Guide - Perry Seibert
Claire Danes gives an interesting performance in Shopgirl. Her character is looking for happiness and fulfillment, but she suffers from depression and takes medication that flattens out her moods. Her Mirabelle Buttersfield has a pretty good clue as to what she wants out of life, she is simply having trouble finding it. Ray Porter, the older man who romances her, sees her as a delicate, elegant, fragile creature. Those adjectives are all accurate descriptions of her, but they certainly do not describe her completely. Steve Martin imbues Ray with an inherent coldness that never thaws, even as he gets himself more involved with her than he ever intended to. One of the best aspects of the film is the cinematography by regular David Cronenberg DP Peter Suschitzky. The stylish look of the film also has a fragile beauty that encourages the audience to see Mirabelle exactly as Ray does, something that makes her performance all the more interesting. The audience begins to see more in her than Ray does. The love triangle involving the two of them and Jason Schwartzman's twentysomething Jeremy plays out with a simple straightforwardness that suffers mostly because one of these three characters does not grow up -- anyone should figure out early on who will end up with whom. The film moves at a deliberate pace that allows the viewer to understand and appreciate Mirabelle's many wonderful qualities, but neither of the men seem particularly worthy of her even if one does become an obviously better choice. As a romance, Shopgirl comes up short, but as a portrait of a young woman at an early crossroads in her life, the film offers a mix of emotional truth and nonjudgmental observation that makes it a worthy character study.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/25/2006
  • UPC: 786936282986
  • Original Release: 2005

    • Rating:

  • Source: Touchstone / Disney
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Wide Screen
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: Français
  • Time: 1:46:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 5,840

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Steve Martin Ray Porter
Claire Danes Mirabelle Buttersfield
Jason Schwartzman Jeremy
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras Lisa Cramer
Samuel Bottoms Dan Buttersfield
Frances Conroy Catherine Buttersfield
Rebecca Pidgeon Christie Richards
Gina Doctor Del Rey
Clyde Kusatsu Mr. Agasa
Samantha Shelton Loki
Romy Rosemont Loan Officer
Joshua Snyder Trey Bryan
Rachel Nichols Trey's Girlfriend
Shane Edelman Chet
Emily Kuroda Japanese Woman
Jayzel Samonte Houseboy
Mark Kozelek Luther
John Fedevich Hot Tears Band Member
Zak Sally Hot Tears Band Member
Ray Buktenica Shrink
Alexondra Lee Karen
Shannon Hile SAKS Customer
Joe Bays Businessman
Randy Oglesby Tom
Richard Fancy Eli
Anne Marie Howard Mandy
Kevin Kilner Charley
Mathew Smith Volebeat Band Member
Troy Gregory The Volebeat
Scott Michalski The Volebeat
Russell Ledford The Volebeat
Jeff Oakes The Volebeat
Kris Deskins Armani Seamstress
Laura Grady Cosmetics Girl
Alexander Balanescu Singer
Sally Heath Singer
Gary Kettel Singer
Barrington Pheloung Conductor
Frank Ricotti Singer
Technical Credits
Anand Tucker Director
Ashok Amritraj Producer
Michael Bernard Anderson Set Decoration/Design
Deborah Aquila Casting
William Arnold Production Designer
Sue Chan Art Director
Simon Conder Associate Producer
David Gamble Editor
Nick Hamson Associate Producer
Jon Jashni Producer
Steve Martin Producer, Screenwriter
Barrington Pheloung Score Composer
Scott Ressler Camera Operator
Jennifer Smith Casting
Nancy Steiner Costumes/Costume Designer
Andrew Sugerman Executive Producer
Peter Suschitzky Cinematographer
Edward Tise Sound/Sound Designer
Marcus Viscidi Co-producer
Tricia Wood Casting
Meredith Zamsky Associate Producer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Shopgirl
1. Opening Credits/Mirabelle, Hoping to Begin Life [:00]
2. Jeremy, An Ok Guy [:00]
3. Afterglow? [:00]
4. Ray Porter, A Man Over Fifty [:00]
5. Friday Night [6:22]
6. Being Really Clear [8:14]
7. "I Am Sorry" [9:24]
8. Hard to Be Close [14:59]
9. Living in the Moment [9:13]
10. Hurting Now [12:53]
11. This Is the Moment [4:15]
12. "It Was Life"/End Credits [9:02]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Shopgirl
   Play Movie
   Scene Selection
   Bonus Features
      Evolution of a Novella: The Making of Shopgirl
      Deleted Scenes
         Play All
         Mirabelle Waits for Messages on Her Machine
         Mirabelle and Ray at Restaurant for Breakfast
      Audio Commentary
         Audio Commentary: View the Film With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Anand Tucker: On
         Audio Commentary: View the Film With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Anand Tucker: Off
   Set Up
      Audio Options
         English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
         French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
         Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
      Captions & Subtitles
         Captions: English for the Hearing Impaired
         Subtitles: French
         Subtitles: Spanish
         Subtitles: None
      Register Your DVD
   Sneak Peeks
      Play All
      Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
      Annapolis
      Casanova
      Eight Below
      TV on DVD
      Grey's Anatomy Season One
      Shadows in the Sun Everything You Want
      ABC Gilmore Girls
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 10 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The move did touch me on the raw

    The movie is really outstanding, and you can really understand it only if you've been in this kind of relationship. It' s not an action movie, it's a deep psychological insight. When I first see it I was crying. And I keep crying every time I see it. Steve and Claire... Never expected from you such sencerity. My relationship is done, but unlike the film, it was not my fault. Which proves Mirabelle was right when decided to break up. I was trying to save relationship by any price... Didn't work neither. The thing is, he started really respect her only when she reached something. Whithout his help. The best movie of this kind for the past several years. P.S. I still love him... it's much deeper then in the movie... and he is my first man, and... I'm sending Him DVD. But there is no way back

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Antagnist as Narrator

    A strangely moving urban triangle tale, "Shopgirl" moves beyond the B level by using the unsual conceit of omniscient narration from the POV of the affluent antagonist, who loses the love of his life to a drifter capable of loving her enough to change. As a fable for our time, it's hit and miss because of the shallowness of the pivotal character. But her rescue at the end still has us applauding the movie for its heartfelt intentions which in the end slightly over-balance its pretensions.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Stellar acting, unique story, laughs when you least expect them

    I was pleasantly surprised by Shopgirl. It's different - quirky, witty, unpredictable and even funny when I least expected it to be. Jason Schwartzman steals the show as an earnest but clueless young man in love. Claire Danes' Mirabelle is a moony artist who surprises when she falls for Steve Martin's Ray. I liked Martin the least in his role - a different, edgier actor would've better portrayed a seasoned bachelor who won't let himself fall in love. I found the film refreshing and original - it made me squirm in discomfort at times, which I think a good film should do. And I've never laughed so hard at a scene with a cat. Kudos for the soundtrack, too.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I loved this movie

    It was a sweet film, loved the lighting and ambience. Claire Danes was wonderful. It is not an action movie in the least, but it is thought provoking and just a nice escape movie. Steve Martin was not my favorite character, but I understood his stiltedness.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of the quietest and best movies of the year

    I really enjoyed this movie. It was filled with scenes of quiet beauty, and yet I laughed too.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Shopgirl

    Avoid this movie at all costs! If you've seen Brown Bunny and you realized that the whole story takes place in the last 15 mins of the movie, think about that. Shopgirl is a 15 minute story stretched out into a 1 hour and 46 minute movie... lots of pretty shots, but not much substance. There's lots of staring off into nowhere, and when the characters do interact it's like watching a nervous person give a speech--it makes you feel awkward and nervous for them, but not in a good way.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 27, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 9, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 20, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 23, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 10 Customer Reviews