Cinema Tuesdays Review

Ray Porter Likes the Gloves Off
By Nathan Cone

So, do those self-help tapes really work? At least one character in the movie "Shopgirl" benefits from them, and the other two could probably stand to spend some quality time with them, too. Actor Jason Schwartzman's indoctrination with the tapes is just one of many lightly comedic moments in "Shopgirl," but while the movie quite refreshingly depicts aspects of an un-romanticized adult relationship on screen, it does not bring much else new.

Steve Martin, writing the screenplay from his novella of the same name, plays Ray Porter, a man over fifty who introduces himself to Saks Fifth Avenue employee Mirabelle (Claire Danes) with a gift through the mail and an invitation to dinner. At the time of their meeting, twentysomething Mirabelle has been seeing Jeremy (Schwartzman), a hopeless slacker who nevertheless characterizes himself as "a good guy." For Mirabelle, Ray Porter is secure, he is confident, and most importantly, he is interested in her. He also quite typically winds up filling the father figure role, which sends him fleeing from Mirabelle, who simply has a lot of love to give.

Meanwhile, Jeremy has skipped town to be a roadie with a rock band, and it is on the road that he learns about life, love, and real relationships -- not through experience, mind you, but through those tapes I mentioned. It's improbable, but funny, and I bought it.

Ultimately, the Mirabelle/Ray/Jeremy love triangle has got to break apart one way or the other, and I will not spoil the film by telling you which suitor Mirabelle ultimately chooses. But along the way, Mirabelle goes through some heartbreak that Danes does a great job of physically conveying, so much so that I agree with director Anand Tucker, who notes on his DVD audio commentary track that she looks like she's going through real pain. On the flip side emotionally, Danes also gets a big laugh when she explains why she isn't like all the other gold-digging California women she knows by simply noting, "I'm from Vermont."

I liked the dreamy way the film sometimes lapses into a gentle slow motion, the location shooting in atypical Los Angeles neighborhoods, and the way none of the main characters are damned for their behaviors. They are all understandable -- but just a little bit predictable in some instances, which is where "Shopgirl" let me down.

"Shopgirl" on DVD boasts a few special features, including the aforementioned director's commentary. There are also two deleted scenes, one of which would have certainly changed the film if it had been used. There's also a "Making Of" featurette that by its very length rises a bit above the standard press kit interviews that are normally conducted for DVD releases.

For an "intellectual" comedian, I have been unable to understand why Steve Martin has chosen to star in such recent over-the-top comedies as "Cheaper By the Dozen," "Bringing Down the House," and the unfortunate "Pink Panther" remake that came out earlier this year. Maybe the movies help pay for his impressive art collection, or maybe it allows him to indulge a love of slapstick that dates back to his early days in the '70s, but for whatever reason, I'm happy that Martin continues to work on more personal projects like "Shopgirl," even if this film is not a complete success.

5/19/06

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