Shopgirl

  • Review Date: April 24, 2006
  • R
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2005
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Stylish romantic comedy best for older teens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie includes several "artfully" rendered sex scenes (filtered light, close-ups of beautiful faces), a couple that are comic (one raunchy, with handcuffs and black lace underwear, another interrupted by a cat), and some sex jokes, visual (a men is spotted masturbating through a telescope) and verbal (concerning "performance" and "anxiety). The film also features repeated conversations about relationships, and there's some discussion of one lover being old enough to be a young woman's father). Characters discuss condoms and fellatio, smoke and drink, and rock band members do drugs and encourage groupies.

  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
  • Several sex scenes, some delicate and others overtly comic (one features handcuffs); stereotypically busty rock groupies; a brief image of a man masturbating (his hand inside his boxers), and discussion/images of condoms.

What's the story?

When Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes), a sales clerk by day and artist by night, meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman) -- unshaved and wearing a torn t-shirt, clever and endearingly clumsy in his efforts to impress her -- she's less than thrilled by his distractedness (he's also an artist, a designer of fonts and advertising logos). Within days, she's approached at work by the impeccably groomed and designer-suited Ray (Steve Martin). Their dates are more formal, and she's aware that he maintains an emotional distance. Still, Mirabelle rejects Jeremy in favor of Ray, and the younger man takes off on a road trip with a rock band, along the way coming to understand how he didn't treat Mirabelle with the proper respect and interest. At the same time, Ray repeatedly disappoints Mirabelle, by spending days in Seattle, where he has a second, equally expensively-outfitted home, and by cheating on her with a former girlfriend (Rebecca Pidgeon).


Is it any good?

 

Meticulously crafted, Anand Tucker's SHOPGIRL is not so overtly emotionally adventurous as his previous movie Hilary and Jackie (1998), but it is similarly interested in the built-in deceptions of romance and the cruelties of self-protective decisions. Though Mirabelle briefly envies the seeming wisdom and cynicism of fellow shopgirl and more experienced dater Lisa (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), she soon realizes that her own sensitivities -- even her artistic sensibilities -- are more valuable.

At least, this is the film's judgment. And this is the most troubling aspect of the film. For all its seeming delicacy, its view of Mirabelle as perfect, precious object is decidedly limited. Though Danes is a lovely, subtle performer, and Peter J. Suschitzky's camera showcases her unusual beauty, the film never grants Mirabelle her own life: she remains a child-woman in search of a male redeemer. Her men are manifestly imperfect and yet, as happens too often, their versions of her define her desires.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about Mirabelle's yearning for romance, as this stems from her own family's emotional reserve (pictured when she goes home for a visit and attributed to her father's status as a Vietnam war veteran). How is Mirabelle's choice -- between the older, wealthy Ray, and the scruffy, awkward Jeremy -- limiting, as she's beheld and desired by two men, like a fine object?


This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
ehh...
Very sexual..Not apropriate for young kids!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
For adults only -- some good old fashioned humor
This is an enjoyable, thought-provoking movie. The storyline is simple, yes complicated, and the characters are simple, yet gradually develop into more complex characters. Quite a few good laughs, a few deep moments, and something you may talk about for a few days after viewing. Mirabel's character is worthy of on-screen recognition. The only drawback I felt was Steve Martin narrating the story...it should have been narrated by someone other than himself. Definitely worth the trip to the theatre.

Flag as inappropriate 
April 9, 2008
 
ok flick for adults
It wasn't too sappy or too extreme with the romance. However, the movie plot was bad all around, and the sex makes it inappropiate for anybody under 17

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I have my own appon.

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
1-10 is not allow to watch this. read a book insand.
it is bad for people ages1-10 it is bab to watch a ratedr move. shoping is a (R).

Flag as inappropriate 
April 9, 2008
 
Self Absorption Embodied
I was really hoping to like this movie more but it was just okay. It felt likely a slight less neurotic Broken Flowers. Martin's character is self-absorbed and while capable of tenderness, terrified of it. This is a mature movie and not for kids at all. There's vivid sex, drinking, and not much happening in the morals department.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
this movie caused me Physical Pain
This movie sucked. There was some great character development, but it was all off screen. Clare Danes did wonderfully with the tripe that Steve Martin threw at her, though his acting wasn't too bad either. Apparantly it's a book, so that might be a better choice. they talk about sex and there is some on screen, but no bodyparts. Again, Physical Pain!

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Teen, 18 years old
December 27, 2009
 
Shopgirl
I loved Claire Danes character in that movie. i thought that there was way to much sex and nudity. i thought she feel in love with Steve Martians character who was way to old for her. And Jason Schwartzman character was ok who Claire Danes feel in love with, but he was just dorky. i thought the funniest part was when Jason Schwartzmans character grabs the mint rapper instend of a condom. The the funny part about that was when he asked her neighbor for one and then he tells her that he got it from the neighbor and when the cat jumps in the bed. Claire Danes (Mirabelle) is really very close friends with Jason Schwartzman (Jeremy) in real life. Very good Movie

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Adult
October 29, 2011
 
not for kids
HEAPS of sex scenes in this film. One scene shows the woman completely naked on the bed from behind. I would not even let anyone under even the age of 16 watch this

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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Studio:Touchstone Pictures
Director:Anand Tucker
Cast:Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzman, Steve Martin
Genre:Drama
Run time:104 minutes
Theatrical release date:October 21, 2005
DVD release date:April 25, 2006
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:some sexual content and brief language

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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