Shopgirl

Herald rating: * * *

Those who think of Steve Martin as just a comedy actor may be surprised that that not only did he co-produce, write and star in Shopgirl, but it is based on his novella and is more serious than most of his past film material.

Shopgirl is a whimsical drama which borders on romantic comedy. Martin must have felt, after the success of Lost in Translation, that there was a market for stories about middle-aged men finding friendships in strange places. In Shopgirl that place is the lonely glove counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Claire Danes is Mirabelle, a debt-ridden artist from Vermont who moves to Los Angeles to start again. Looking out of place in old-fashioned high-neck dresses, Mirabelle struggles to get on with anyone - even her cat. Then she meets two very different men, Jeremy and Ray, and life blossoms.

Mirabelle comes across Jeremy (Schwartzman) in a laundromat. He's a scruffy artist who dreams of hitting the road with a band.

Jeremy and Mirabelle appear to be opposites, but a hunger for friendship encourages romance - one that ends when Mirabelle is wooed by the wealthy Ray Porter (Martin), a more experienced 50-something man looking for an affair of convenience.

What follows is a narrated guide (by Martin) through Mirabelle's wallowing journey of unreciprocated love.

The film offers an easily recognisable look at the excitement, confusion and disappointment love can bring, but lacks insight.

The characters emerge as rather empty people, which prevents us from getting too emotionally involved, although Danes gives one of her best performances and acts as a solid middle ground.

Shopgirl has its delightful moments, but its awkwardness stops it hitting the mark. 

CAST: Steve Martin, Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzman
DIRECTOR: Anand Tucker
RUNNING TIME: 100 mins
RATING: M, sexual references
SCREENING: Academy