'Shopgirl': An engaging actress in a predictable tale

Assessing "Shopgirl," an independent film brought to life from Steve Martin's novella of the same name, requires some dexterity:

On the one hand, Claire Danes gives an engaging and heartfelt performance as a lonely young woman suddenly faced with a choice of lovers: a rich, refined 50-something or a poor, 20-something slob.

On the other hand, Martin's story felt odd, forced at times, and was spotted with occasional plot holes.

Touchstone Pictures 'Shopgirl' B The verdict: Claire Danes is the film's saving grace and makes it worth a date movie or rental. Director: Anand Tucker Starring: Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzman, Steve Martin, Frances Conroy, Sam Bottoms Run time: 104 minutes Release date: Oct. 21, 2005 Rating: R for some sexual content and brief language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Shopgirl'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Danes plays Mirabelle, the glove counter salesperson at a Saks Fifth Avenue in Los Angeles. Her story is somewhat cliched from the start: a young girl from Vermont who comes to LA to find herself — in this case, through her art. Her days at Saks are mundane, and her nights alone at home are no better.

A chance encounter with a young man named Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), an unkempt artist/rocker, seems as if it may turn things around for Mirabelle. But this, too, is somewhat cliched. Schwartzman presents Jeremy in an awkward, regular-guy fashion as one would expect — and produces the results one expects. However, there are things about his character that are endearing, particularly — and my wife nudged me about this for some reason — when he asks her to chip in for movies, meals, etc.

Enter Ray (Steve Martin), a rich entrepreneur who woos Mirabelle, again in cliche style, after a visit to Saks. What follows is relatively predictable. Mirabelle is drawn to Ray. Jeremy ventures out to find himself. Ray is not fully committed to Mirabelle on an emotional level. Mirabelle must sort things out.

This sounds, as I've said, formulaic and predictable, but Martin manages to intersperse some interesting aspects to the traditional story that make it enjoyable. Ray is not completely cold and heartless in his sexual relationship with Mirabelle. Jeremy manages to make do without Mirabelle and "come of age."

Danes' is perhaps the strongest performance in the movie. She brings emotion and sexuality to Mirabelle's character and really makes the story work.

That said, if there's anything that bugged me most about this film, it's the story itself. Is it a romantic comedy? Drama? Dram-edy?

With a little fleshing out of some details, the genre might have been more clear. What about Mirabelle's random bout with depression? What else could be told about Jeremy and his revelations as a roadie? What could we learn about Ray's past and why he chooses to interact with Mirabelle as he does? Why does Martin narrate random parts of the story?

"Shopgirl" leaves some questions unanswered. But Danes is the film's saving grace and makes it worth a date movie or rental.