Good concept, poorly executed.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Unusually sweet movie about lonely people adrift in LA. Also a proof that a "romantic" comedy does not have to be yet another boring chick- flick. Mirabelle is a girl working at the gloves counter of a department store. She does not have much to do, since gloves are not much in demand. In her spare time she draws, Edward Hopper's style. At the laundry, she meets James, a young aimless slob. They have an awkward date. The evening is somehow spoiled by their lack of social and emotional intelligence than by lack of connection.Then Mirabelle starts to be "courted" by Ray, an elderly, rich gentleman, equally unable to connect emotionally, but very much skilled in old-fashioned gallantry. The two embark in a sexual relationship which in Ray's mind will never turn into "commitment".Although Mirabelle enjoys the obvious perks of dating a rich, kind man, she starts longing for emotional fulfillment. In the meantime James leaves LA to be a roadie of some sort and while travelling with a rock band, he gets some self-help books about relationships. When James comes back to town, sort of matured by his experience, the Mirabelle/Ray relation has reached stalemate. Reluctant to give up on Ray, Mirabelle fells into a depression, probably triggered by her unspoken needs. Eventually Ray breaks it off, setting in motion a more assertive Mirabelle, who finally decides to quit her boring job.The two meet some time after the break-up. Mirabelle is working in an art gallery showing some of her work. She and James are now happily together, while Ray is visiting the exhibition with another "girlfriend" of some sort. Mirabelle and Ray have a short private conversation during which he admits of having loved her, but that does not matter anymore to Mirabelle.I really enjoyed the simple storyline and the interpretation of the three main characters.

SHOPGIRL.I had never heard of this movie before I saw it on TV. Normally I would not go out of my way to see dramas... don't get me wrong, I like all kinds of genres of film... but dramas are not at the top of my list.The reason I watched this was because I saw it had Steve Martin in it... I love Steve Martin... the man is a legend!This movie was OK. It was not brilliant but it was entertaining. The story was OK. It was about a lonely girl named Mirabelle, who works behind the counter in a shop. She meets a guy named Jeremy in a laundrette and they go out a couple of times until she meets millionaire Ray at her shop who asks her out... she then leaves Jeremy to start a physical relation with Ray. Ray has commitment issues and Mirabelle has to choose whether to stay with Ray knowing there may never be love in the relationship, or be with Jeremy who is basically a bum but does love her.I have to say that the casting for this film was perfect... I was never a big fan of Claire Danes, but she was brilliant in this.My favourite character in this movie was Jeremy played by Jason Schwartzman... Jason was absolutely brilliant. He made me laugh so much in this film. Jeremy is such a weird guy and comes out with such random quotes... but they were awesome! I love this guy!And then you have Ray... played by the legend that is Steve Martin. He played the part really well... I actually felt sorry for him.I will give this film 6 out of 10.The story was average, but the cast and characters were perfect.For more of my reviews, please check out my Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ordinary-Person-Movie- Reviews/456572047728204?ref=hl

Steve Martin wrote the screenplay and served as co-producer for this screen adaptation of his short novel,Shopgirl. It takes a witty but bittersweet look at a salesgirl that falls in love with two men from different walks of life.It stars Claire Danes,Steve Martin,Jason Schwartzman together with Bridgette Wilson-Sampras,Sam Bottoms, Frances Conroy,Rebecca Pidgeon and Samantha Shelton.It was directed by Anand Tucker.Mirabelle Buttersfield is an aspiring artist in her mid-twenties who, after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles, where she works at the glove counter of an upscale department store. Mirabelle's job is simple and not demanding, but it doesn't pay especially well, and she finds herself struggling to get out from under a growing mountain of debt from student loans and credit cards. One night, while doing her laundry, Mirabelle meets Jeremy, a scruffy but likable would-be musician who makes ends meet selling guitar amps. While Jeremy is obviously infatuated with Mirabelle, she isn't sure how she feels about him, especially after she meets Ray Porter, a man in his fifties whom she meets at the store. Ray is independently wealthy, intelligent, and charming, and after asking her out on a date he sweeps her off her feet. However, while Mirabelle quickly falls for Ray and he's generous to a fault with her, he refuses to commit exclusively to her and suggests they should both see other people, a prospect that no longer holds much appeal for her.This is a slim, charming, romantic story, full of intentionally mild humor about strong themes such as passion,commitment and loneliness.The performances especially with the sheer charm of Claire Danes' performance, combined with the convincingly resigned sadness of Steve Martin and the intense sincerity of the singularly uncharacteristic Jason Schwartzman, make this a deeply bittersweet film experience.Although it is labeled a romantic comedy, it is more of a coming-of-age drama which makes it a must-see.

A sublimely tedious film! sit back and p*ss away two hours of your life staring deep into Steve Martin's Navel. The last and worst of the noughties movies about randy middle-aged men getting off with young cute young girls(American Beauty, Lost in Translation). But whereas the former can occasionally ascend to the state of bittersweet farce and the latter eventually becomes a meditation on the dislocations and absurdities of its backdrop setting, this movie never takes a step outside the small island nation of Steve Martin's ego. All this would make the film boring. But what makes it really gut wrenchingly awful is the directors crow-barred insertion of really loud and melodramatic music. I think the director thought she was Jean-Luc Godard. Please, please don't waste your time with this film!