Film Bites: Shopgirl

Claire Danes stars as Mirabelle Buttersfield, the lost and unhappy twenty-something shopgirl in Anand Tucker's adaptation of Steve Martin's novella. Danes sells gloves at Saks Fifth Avenue in Los Angeles, and she is torn between two inappropriate men: older, wealthy cad Ray Porter (Martin) versus slacker no-goodnick Jeremy (Jason Schwartman, who has grown up since his "Rushmore" debut.)

It's an appealing role for Danes. Not only does she get to wear shimmering vintage dresses and high heel shoes, she also drives a pick-up truck and puts on glasses. Mirabelle is dreamy, messed up, and smart: an excellent combination. "Shopgirl" could almost be considered passable entertainment, but Tucker lays down the pathos way too thick, slowing the film's pacing to a standstill and blaring theme music to convey emotion that simply isn't there. More Claire Danes: "Stage Beauty" and "Igby Goes Down." [posted by Marcy]