At times narrated by, and based on comedian Steve Martin’s novella, comes the story of love in the modern age and the relationship evolvement that often transpires, for no apparent reason. Mirabelle (Claire Danes) stands behind the glove rack at Saks by day, and goes home to her one room apartment, by night, unless she’s at the coin-op, where she meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman) an immature, out of touch bachelor dude, doing his laundry too. Jeremy stencils wild art and drives a clunker car, but his real passion is amplifiers for rock stars. Cool, dude, just what every girly-girl wants in a man! Clearly the word sophistication is not in his radar, though Mirabelle sees him as her only boyfriend resort. Until the day that smooth, wealthy, divorced, fifty-something, Ray Porter (Steve Martin) her Prince Charming, purchases sexy black gloves from Mirabelle’s counter. And so this Cinderella story begins, touching on the depth of female fear of wanting to be held and wanting to be safe – explaining exactly the reason women date older men. Older men “get it” minus the amplifiers, so to speak and the movie touches on and holds snapshot moments, that make a girl fall head over heels. Shopgirl’s Claire Danes feels real, and her story is happening all around us as Martin’s script reverses the myth of old men chasing younger girls. Danes gives a knockout performance without even trying, as she illuminates the screen (her wardrobe person should be proud). This move is romantic, smart and exhilarating, in the heart-racing sense. It’s Martin’s best work to date, as he effortlessly yet carefully defines why an older man is the better choice, and why women become completely consumed by the gentleman attention, as we hope and pray it just all works out, in the sometimes less than storybook ending. Four tiaras.
