 | Shop Girl Director: Anand Tucker Rated: M 15+ Now screening  Lord knows I'm a big fan of comedian and actor Steve Martin, but sometimes I think someone should sit him down and have a stern word with him about the movie roles he's been choosing of late. Perhaps he's become so successful he thinks it doesn't matter what kind of film he does. Then again, maybe he's decided to turn things around by writing his own scripts.'Shop Girl' is based on a novella written by Martin, and he acts as well as providing the screenplay, but he is not the central character. This is Mirabelle (Claire Daines), a rather plain artist who supports herself by working at an upscale LA department store. One night at a Laundromat she meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), a quirky font designer who asks for her phone number and proceeds to take her on the world's least romantic date. It's not long after that she's approached in the store by handsome older man Ray Porter (Martin), who woos her in a more intense, not to say sophisticated, manner. From here the stories diverge. Jeremy, taking some advice of Mirabelle's to heart, attaches himself to a rock band on tour and gets into meditation. Mirabelle starts seeing Ray whenever he's in town, and he showers her with gifts. It all seems happy enough, but through their conversations with others we see the two have very different ideas about where the relationship is going. 'Shop Girl' has a very small cast, which means that the central performances need to be able to carry the film. Luckily, the trio of actors here are more than up to the job. Jeremy's character suffers a little when he's removed from his relationship with Mirabelle, but Schwartzman nonetheless keeps him funny and strangely engaging. Martin has what is arguably the most interesting role in the film, as you're never sure who he's being the most honest with, and he plays it with beautiful restraint. The standout though is Daines, who goes through a glorious transformation as Mirabelle. Her performance is practically faultless and a delight the whole way through. I have a few problems with the film. It takes a little too long to conclude, especially as there are several points in the final minutes where you think it might (and could do most effectively). And I couldn't help wondering why Steve Martin acted as the narrator as well as Ray, clearly as different characters, which served as a distraction throughout. But I quibble. If you've never seen Steve Martin in a good movie - a distinct possibility for younger viewers - here's your chance. Who know how many more opportunities you're going to get.  | |
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