There was time when I considered Steve Martin to be a comic genius. Years ago, when I saw his first HBO special, I ran out immediately and bought the LP of Steve Martin: Wild and Crazy Guy, which I still own to this day. For those of you under the age of 30, LP is short for Long Playing and is used to describe a record album (you know, those big round black discs we used to buy with music on them…). Martin quickly moved from the comic stage into movies, and at the time no one was funnier. He looked so incredibly straight-laced that when he dropped into 'idiot' character, it seemed so out of place and therefore hysterical. But as good as he was as the 'goof', his best film (to date) was Roxanne, where he brought the character of Cyrano DeBergerac into the 20th Century, nose and all, and created one of the greatest romantic characters of the time. Over the years though, Martin moved from lowbrow, silly comedy and it seems began to consider himself an 'artiste.'

He was too sophisticated to go back to wearing arrows-through-the-head or making balloon animals. Instead, he began to make movies like L.A. Story, and in ding so, his popularity began to wane.

More recently, Martin began making screwball comedies again, and somehow captured the hearts of an American audience craving some silly comic relief. However, most of these audiences must not have been around during the years where he gave us The Jerk, The Man with Two Brains, or Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. Without these hysterical comedies to compare them to, his newer films, as bad as most of them are, must seem like comic gems to deprived audiences.

So when a movie like Shopgirl, comes along, it doesn't really capture enough of my attention to make the effort to see it in the theatre. So much to my loss. Shopgirl is based on a novella that Martin wrote (yes… he became a writer, too…) and revolves around a young woman who works at a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Los Angeles. She is looking for love, and is settling for the peculiar artist type that so many women tend to waste their lives on. While on the job she meets a well-to-do older businessman and the two experience a strong attraction. But unfortunately, as life often deals to most young and inexperienced women, he only wants someone to love without the worry of commitment.

Shopgirl rides the fine line between wacky comedy and heartfelt drama with this love triangle, and does so admirably. There are moments that are hilarious, yet the absurdity rings true (especially if you have ever found yourself willing to do anything to win over the woman that you love). On the other hand, the seriousness of the heartbreak that often comes with the reality of relationships rears its ugly head enough to make this a four star weeper.

I have to hand it to Martin, who as the businessman, plays a role far removed from any I've seen him do in years. It is a very mature performance and one that I've wanted to see him deliver and would hopefully reinvigorate his career. And surprising to me was the performance by Claire Danes. She had made a name for herself with a series I never saw, and since that time has only been in handful of films. I hope her amazing performance here catches the attention of those who might be able to propel her career to a higher level.

I did not see the film until it was released in DVD, and while I really would have enjoyed seeing it in the theatre, at least the DVD gives me the chance to explore some extra features. First off, there is the obligatory commentary by director Arnand Tucker. I have a habit of turning these off when they become boring, and believe me… most are. However, Taylor is quite an animated speaker and he was able to capture my attention and keep it for the entirety of the film. You'll also find a making of featurette that offers the cast and crew an opportunity to talk a bit about how the film made the transition from book to screen. Finally, there are two deleted scenes, one of which would have been interesting if left in.

Shopgirl was a much better film than I expected, and without a doubt it make an excellent date movie (unless you’re a peculiar artist type, who thinks his girlfriend might want more out of life…)

Directed by: Arnand Tucker
Starring: Claire Danes, Steve Martin, Jason Schwartzman, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
Extras: Deleted Scenes, The Making of Shopgirl, Commentary by Director Arnand Tucker
Specifications: Widescreen (2.35:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Touchstone
Release Date: 4/25/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Some Sexual Content and Brief Language)
Website

We'll give Shopgirl a B+.