He wanted part of her but not all of her...
SHOPGIRL is certainly two thirds of a fine film. It depicts the consequences of three distinct worlds colliding while all around life is mealy at a stand still.
The story, which is based on a 'novella' written by Steve Martin, concerns three lonely people.
Ray Porter (Martin) is as sophisticated and fabulously wealthy as Jeremy is dirt poor and a complete idiot. The bridge between these two male characters is played by Claire Danes "Mirabelle Buttersfield," a sad young woman who stands day after day with her stoic smile, even if few customers drop by her counter in the women's glove department at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.
Ray, however, in a character that will remind you somewhat of Bill Murray's character in LOST IN TRANSLATION, has definite commitment issues. As Martin puts it in the narration, describing Ray about his feelings for Mirabelle, "he wanted part of her but not all of her." Ray is the kind of guy who stares wistfully at his lover but is unable to say sentences containing the word "love" in her presence.
The film's insufferable character, Jeremy, is played by Jason Schwartzman, an equally annoying actor who last starred in the abysmal I HEART HUCKABEES. If -- and this is a big "if" -- you are able to ignore both the character and the actor, the rest of the movie is bittersweet, somewhat romantic and in a few (I do mean few) ways touching.
The story, although substantially written, lacks true definition. It is painfully obvious that Steve Martin should stay in front of the camera!
PS: Who paid the Peter Travers, writer for the Rollingstones? His assuming review was as worthless as the movie.