Kim’s Movie Picks

November 16, 2005

Shopgirl is not just a film, it is a work of art. This film demonstrates what acting is supposed to be, folks, and so rarely ever is. Directed by relative unknown Anand Tucker, and with a screenplay and outstanding performance by Steve Martin, this movie took my breath away, again and again.

Despite a surprisingly simple plot — girl-meets-boy-and-Man, dates both, ultimately chooses one — this movie deftly uses its basic elements sparingly and effectively to convey very complex emotions.

First of all, there is Clare Danes, an understated, and mostly under appreciated, young actor, who, in this film, gives a performance like fine crystal. Her character, Mirabelle’s, troubled and yet clear spirit, her innate ability to move almost effortlessly from the high society world of her more mature admirer, Ray Porter — played with rare panache and poignant frailty by Martin – and that of her more ardent, younger, grunge suitor, Jeremy — played fearlessly by Jason Schwartzman — leaves you wanting more.  

Shopgirl boasts a small, but highly talented, cast. They are all plunked down in an always-surreal Los Angeles set made up of high-fashion department stores, the macabre and wacky ‘streets’ of Universal’s Citywalk (shameless promotional alert), Porter’s two tasteful, but empty showcase homes, his equally empty private plane cabin and Mirabelle’s cozy, but sparse, lower valley apartment. 

Throughout this film, we are struck by each character’s perseverance, their courage, their aching loneliness and very familiar fears. Despite their diverse backgrounds, ages, and economic divides, they each have much in common, and yet, ultimately, are so very different. With the opening of this film, Steve Martin has suddenly become the anti-Woody Allen, using the barest wisps of language, the most austere of sets and the greatest minimalist set of effective facial emotions since Buster Keaton. Chaplin is cavorting in his grave. 

This movie was a delight on all levels. I found myself comparing scenes from it to Hitchcock’s Rear Window, not for the suspense, but for the similarities between the cool, romantic relationship of the two main characters – and, of course, the clothes.

Yes, the clothes! Clare Danes wears a breathtaking assortment of both funky, artsy clothes (when alone at home and on dates with Jeremy) and then comfortably dons the best of high-fashion items for her liaisons with Ray. (Many of the outfits are given to her as gifts from this newest admirer.) She gives each ensemble the same fluid presentation as the then young Grace Kelly, you can see it in her walk and feel it in her attitude. The homage is very well placed.

Go see this movie – it is beautifully filmed, masterfully edited and directed and has outstanding performances from all the cast. I give it four stars. Shopgirl is rated R for some sexual content and brief language. A good choice for anyone over age 16. There are sex scenes, but they are discrete and what nudity there is, is very tastefully done. A very good date movie.

November 15, 2005

Okay, we should know by now that I am a reluctant Nicholas Cage fan….hated his early work. Torture for me is being asked to watch Peggy Sue Got Married. Not only was his performance insipid, but hey, wasn’t Kathleen Turner just a tad old for that role, even back then?

But then Moonstruck came along and just pole-axed me….it is one of my favorite movies of all time and I had to admit, again reluctantly, that Mr. Cage’s performance, while clunky, was a big part of the appeal (as was the whole, wickedly talented ensemble, from Cher to Vincent Gardenia).  And so I became an on-screen Nicholas Cage stalker, picking and choosing among his performances over the years, looking for those occasional flashes of brilliance.

And so it was that The Weatherman tempted me, as do many current films, by adding in that most tempting bait of all – a supporting role from talented and understated Michael Caine, the busiest and luckiest older man in Hollywood .



I wish I could say my time was well spent on this film, but overall it has about three good scenes, almost all of them involving Mr. Caine.  The rest of the film is, at best, misguided, at its worst, muddy.  Like the many viewers of Mr. Cage character’s weather programs, we too want to throw a slurpee. This film had good potential, but instead of exploring the emotional limbo of its main character, it takes its near misses for granted, hoping they alone will move the plot forward.

Directed by Gore Verbinski, who gave us the very clever Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as the haunting thriller, The Ring, it becomes obvious that this director still lacks the discipline to tackle drama. Without any swashbuckling or horrifying images available to move the story emotionally, Cage’s character, Dave Spritz is left with throwing snowballs, getting hit in the face with fast food, and (in one of the few charming sequences) taking his daughter on an unexpected, and greatly needed, wardrobe shopping spree in New York.

One and a half out of four stars. Not a must see; wait for the DVD. Rated R for strong language and sexual content.  Warning: this movie has somewhat unnecessary, and constant, cursing and very adult themes. Not for the under 15 crowd, or grandma if she is easily offended by direct sexual references.

November 15, 2005

Director Niki Caro, who gave us the emotionally rich film Whale Rider in 2002, has done it again with this season’s North Country . Emotionally powerful, embroidered with complex and unflinchingly stark characters, this film cuts to the quick, for it is a modern story of sexual discrimination in the workplace that will surprise younger viewers.

For yes, sexual discrimination still happens. This story, set in 1984 is based on a real-life, historical class action suit against a mining company in Minnesota that changed employment laws and practices in this country, and with good cause.

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron plays the film’s main character, Josey Aimes, who flees an abusive boyfriend, taking her two children with her, to the home of her parents in Minnesota. There an old friend, Glory, played with incredible grit by Frances McDormand, convinces her to work at the mines, where the money is good, but the environment harsh. Neither of them anticipates what will happen when this local girl, whose own father works in the same mines, realizes what the other women must face every day in order to support their families. And when a brutal secret from her past comes back to haunt her, she is forced to take action against the company, alienating her own father, the rest of the female workforce and pulling her children into a battle that ultimately engages the whole town.

I challenge any woman to see this movie and not be emotionally impacted. Watch for Woody Harrelson’s surprisingly understated, but pivotal, role as Josey’s attorney. And for the incredible power of Sissy Spacek’s as Josey’s mother, who, finally, takes the bull by the horns and shakes him. Outstanding performances are also given by Richard Jenkins, Jillian Armenante (from TV’s Judging Amy), and Rusty Schwimmer.

Three out of four stars. See this film. Rated R for sequences involving sexual harassment including violence and dialogue, and for language. But reasonably safe for anyone over 13. Take every teenage girl, and boy, that you know. This film has a powerful message for all people, even if it does make men squirm (and it does).