Like an expensive vintage dress, "Shopgirl" evokes both another era and the latest style — although the frayed edges sometimes show. The movie has an old-Hollywood, Ernst Lubitsch-like touch of aching poignancy. Even the heroine's name, Mirabelle Butterfield, sounds like a character from that director's 1940 classic "The Shop Around the Corner." Yet the story, written by comedian-turned-author Steve Martin, tells the present-day tale of a lonely but hopeful young woman adrift in Los Angeles. Read the full review
Mirabelle works the glove counter at a department store in Beverly Hills until a rich, handsome fiftysomething named Ray sweeps her off her feet. Soon she has to make a decision: Will she stay with Ray, hoping his feelings for her grow, or will she take a chance on a young, struggling musician?
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.
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On the web
Official movie site
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Quicktime
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B
"Steve Martin, who adapted the screenplay from his novella, has turned his little jewel of a novel into a flawed but captivating gem."
Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"Shopgirl tries to sell itself as a one-of-a-kind item. In fact, it's damaged goods."
Cox News Service: B
"Danes' is perhaps the strongest performance in the movie. She brings emotion and sexuality to Mirabelle's character and really makes the story work."
The Palm Beach Post: B+
"There is no denying the naked honesty of Danes' performance. And though he is unlikely to make it a regular habit, Martin shows that he has the chops to become a fine dramatic actor."
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