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Author Topic: Shopgirl (2005) Brian Michael Weidemann Expert cat molester Posts: 944 From: Costa Mesa, CA United States Registered: Feb 2004 posted 11-07-2005 01:22 AM                        The pacing, tone, sentiment, and plot points are ALL very true to those of the original book! I read Shopgirl when it came out several years ago and I thought it was cute and had an insightful perspective into both sides of relationships, and was, as a whole, a quick and enjoyable read, with a couple laughs. I read it again a couple weeks ago, anticipating the film. Ignoring some minor variants and insignificant omitted details, this film did a great job of capturing the book, and it didn't have to really fudge anything around just to make it work as a movie. It followed the chronology of the book faithfully, yet it did NOT come across as just a film adaptation of a book, I don't think. The focus on the characters had the same balance and dynamic. Claire Danes is beautiful and has the perfect figure for the character Mirabelle. Great casting, there. I fell in love with her. Of course, I've always liked Claire Danes; and there are some very flattering shots of her. There are several funny moments and some good lines of dialog. The script wasn't flat, but it was real. It seemed a lot more natural to the nature of the situations the characters were in than it would be in, say, some typical romantic comedy using dialog just as a venue for the screenwriter to be quippy, wry, sarcastic, clever, and sappy. This wasn't a romantic comedy, and it wasn't trying to be, which was most of its appeal. I can't say whether or not it's a good "date movie". I went with my (male) roommate because we were both fans of the book, and we both really liked it. I'm sure I'll see it again before we lose it. I definitely recommend it for fans of Steve Martin's mellow, introspective side over his comedic sensibilities (and no, Cheaper By The Dozen doesn't fall into what I consider his comedic sensibilities).  |  IP: Logged Paul Linfesty Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1383 From: Bakersfield, CA, USA Registered: Nov 1999 posted 12-16-2005 10:51 AM                     While I didn't read the book, I found this to be a well-crafted movie with realistic situations (unlike a "cinderella" story such as Pretty Woman). Well shot (true anamorphic) and beautifully acted.  |  IP: Logged

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