SHOPGIRL

It isn't a novelty any more when actors turn to a different area of the movie business. If you care to look closely, you might be able to spot more famous names in different branches of the movie industry than you would expect. Just look at Brad Pitt's production company Plan B. Or consider the companies run by Drew Barrymore or Tom Cruise. People who are successful in the art of movie acting tend to reach for new challenges in another part of the industry. Some prefer to explore production; some enjoy directing their fellow actors; and some write music. How successful are they? Well, some actors certainly do better than others.
So it shouldn't be a complete surprise to see an actor turn to writing, even writing a novel. For example, young Ethan Hawke had significant success with Ash Wednesday and The Hottest State. But I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to think when I saw Steve Martin's novel Shopgirl (published by Hyperion in 2000) for the first time. In my mind, Martin's name was connected to crazy comedies such as The Jerk. What would a guy like that know about writing a novel? It turns out that he knows a thing or two about writing, because reading that book was like eating a delicious dessert; it was enjoyable, quickly devoured, and left me longing for more.
Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait too long for another bite. In about a month, a movie based on that book appeared in theatres. I was, of course, looking forward to seeing it, but I was a little hesitant as well. I have had bad experiences with seeing movies after I have read the original books they were based on. But this book-to-movie transformation of Shopgirl was truly astonishing. I think the fact that Martin, the original author, wrote the screenplay and cast himself in a main role helped the movie a lot. It kept the idea of the book a little more well defined and genuine this way, and there were less people to change his original thought.
The story keeps building as the movie's plot continues, and then it also diminishes; all that happens in perfect harmony. Everything about the picture seems soft and thoughtful, although the destiny of the main characters is rather raw and a little sad. Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes) is a shop girl behind the counter of one of the well-known department stores in Los Angeles. She is an aspiring artist far away from home and living alone. She might pride herself on her clothing choices, but unfortunately she has terrible taste in men. At first she meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), an immature, selfish, and cheap date, whom she sees through a Prozac haze. Later, she meets Ray Porter (Steve Martin), a gentleman in his early fifties, whom she sees as a possible life partner. As their relationship develops, she realizes that this rich and kind gentleman -- and even exciting lover -- doesn't take her seriously and would never consider his future with her by his side. There is heartbreak for Mirabelle followed by self-realization, and the lives of all three main characters change. Everything happens in a harmoniously timed manner for the story to have a happy ending.
It is a great example of the lifestyle in Los Angeles, although the characters here are given a less predatory or jaded nature. A young girl in search of an older and rich sponsor is a little too common in the City of Angels. Here Martin probably intended to normalize and even defend relationships with big age gaps. Maybe they're not all about pure caginess and climbing the social ladder in the end.
The movie Shopgirl was released 10/21/05 by Touchstone Pictures and was brilliantly directed by Anand Tucker.