Jodi in Mouthshut.com has written an excellent review and I went to see this movie yesterday. Honestly her review does full justice to the movie.
The story and screen play is written by Steve Martin and produced by Ashok Amritraj. It shows how women think and what they want in very simple terms. How a man like Steve Martin could write this story is amazing.
Yet, it is one of those films that a casual film watcher might not enjoy or even understand for that matter. I think it might be due to the way it is paced and the under toned performances by the actors. Nothing is forced in conversation, instead it just goes about telling the story of people who happened to meet and make a connection.
Shopgirl is one of those quaint movies. It is good storytelling without MTV songs or tragic moments that define ones future decisions. It is based on reality. Shopgirl’s backbone is the strength of the lead actors. In particular Claire Danes (of Terminator III), as Mirabelle, she is able to project weakness and confidence while exuding emotional pain and heartfelt love that justifies her performance allowing us to understand her decisions even if they don’t all turn out to her benefit.
Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman of Bewitched fame) her first suitor; as the dirty weird guy, nervous when talking to women and hardly any money in his wallet;
and Ray Porter (Steve Martin) as Mirabelle’s other suitor, who presents her with gifts beyond her accepted imagination; are excellent character actors.
It is one of the quietest and good films that one must go and see. It is an unusually great movie.