Shopgirl

[orangerful]

Just finished watching the movie version of 'Shopgirl'. I adore the Steve Martin novella so I wanted to watch the movie. Martin wrote the screenplay so I knew the film was in good hands.

Only thing is, the book is very much an introspection. Lots of inner thoughts, reflection etc. Which is GREAT on paper. But on film, it can be very arranging matches. But I found 'Shopgirl' fascinating in its own way. I didn't think Claire Danes would work as Mirabelle but actually, she was perfect. Both beautiful and plain at the same time. Jason Schwartzman was spot on as Jeremy too. He didn't come off as a jerk in the beginning, just totally immature and oblivious. And, of course, Steve Martin knew who Ray Porter was so he played him exactly as he should have been.

The movie had some nice moments that weren't in the book either - mostly for the male characters. We find out a bit more on how Jeremy evolves as a person, and we get to hear Ray convince himself that Mirabelle totally understands their relationship.

I wish they had been a bit more consistent with the narration though. Martin does 3 or 4 little bits of narration in the film, but I almost wish he had popped in a few more times in the middle because I felt those moments worked very well. Plus, he's just reading from the book, and I love the way he writes his prose.

The movie sort of left me with the same feeling the book did - with a small smile, but at the same time, a sad little feeling tugging at my heart. Just a sweet little film...though L.A. Story will always been my favorite Steve Martin movie. :)

Comments

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

i watched this movie like 1 or 2 weeks ago. while i liked it, from the beginning i kind of knew what was gonna happen. it reminded me of Lost In Translation. I think Lost in Translation was much better. Shopgirl was good, just not too original in some respects. i like Claire Danes which is part of why i watched it. but hey, i really like Scarlett Johansson too.
:)

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

yeah, I think the book was less like that, since you were really just floating around with Mirabelle the whole time. Since the movie showed you Jeremy becoming a "better man", you knew where it would end up, while in the book he just sorta shows up and then explains what happened.

As always, the book is better hehe.

I rented 'Match Point' next, Scarlett Johansson AND John-Rhys Meyers. That should be good. Or at least, very pretty.

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

I'll be interested to hear what you think of Match Point, which was one of the few movies I got my butt into a theater to see in the past few months. I save my opinion until you've seen it.

I wanted to see V for Vendetta in the theater, but now it looks like I've missed it :-(

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

ah! don't say things like that! now I'm scared to watch it because I dunno if it's really bad or not hahah. What kind of movie is it anyhow? the write up for it is very vague. And AD keeps asking me what it is and I'm like "uh, I dunno". haha.

I'm not surprised "V" is out of the theaters, gotta make way for X3 and Pirates! ARRRR! Probably be out on dvd soon enough though.

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

No.. no.. fear not! I'm just reseving my opinion because I know how you hate spoilers, that's all! As for what kind of movie it is.. well, it's a Woody Allen movie, but that's not helpful at all because it's not like any other movie he's made. So imagine a movie that's not like a Woody Allen movie, and you've pretty much got it. Does that help?

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

didn't your english teacher ever talk to you about using the word in it's definition?

Might watch it over the weekend then since tomorrow is the Lost finale, Thursday I'll probably watch the tape of the House finale, and Friday is X3 :)

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

yeah i want to watch MatchPoint too. my sister said was pretty good. not excellent, but pretty good. i was watching part of In Good Company on Sunday morning at the hotel i stayed at in Cleveland. and it seemed like they were trying to make Scarlett Johansson look too young. like she was playing a role younger then her actual age. but i like her anyway.

p.s. the pearl jam d.c. show is coming up...we should exchange cell phone numbers...i definitely want to meet up! it's funny, i was just talking to another pearl jam fan about how on the 2003 tour and tours before that, i used to meet up with other fans at shows WITHOUT having a cell phone. i don't know how i used to do it!

Ahem

[spitefairy.livejournal.com]

Who Wants a Six-inch Sawyer?: Not only is ABC's Lost being developed into a video-game franchise, but in time for this fall's Season 3 premiere you will be able to get your hands on a six-inch tall Jack, Locke, or Charlie. Variety reports that Touchstone TV is partnering with MacFarlane Toys to create a line of action figures based on the show's characters, past and present, each accessorized with an appropriate prop ( e.g., Hurley has his kung fu grip on a lottery ticket). Already, my Captain Kirk and Colonel Steve Austin are discussing the baaaaad things they want to do with Kate. It's disturbing, really. -TVGuide

We all know Sawyer is more than six-inches anyway.

Re: Ahem

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

hehe, that boy is naughty.

I honestly have no desire to have LOST action figures. I enjoy the show, but I'm not in love with it the way I am with Buffy, Angel or Firefly. WHERE'S MY GORRAM KAYLEE ACTION FIGURE!?? OR MY VERY OWN WASH TO LUV AND SQUEEZE? HM!!???

[moonfall.livejournal.com]

*sighs* i've been keeping up, but i haven't been commenting as much lately. crazy days. ;p

i saw "shopgirl" a few weeks ago and liked it so much i snagged it for cheap in a pile of school books from amazon. i can't wait to read it! good to know someone also liked the book.

i adore L.A. story. ;) right up there with "parenthood", for very different reasons.