Claire Danes as Mirabelle in Steve Martin’s Shopgirl?

Claire Danes as Mirabelle in Steve Martin's Shopgirl?.

Reader comments

Matt HaugheyAug 26, 2003 at 4:04PM

When I read the book I always pictured Gwenyth Paltrow or Greasy Reese as the lead, but Claire Danes is perfect for it too.

Andy BaioAug 26, 2003 at 5:09PM

Funny, I pictured Gwyneth Paltrow too, but she's too pretty. I think Claire is a better choice, pretty and slightly awkward in a charming way.

Actually, I think Judy Greer, a more up-and-coming character actress, fits Mirabelle well (not conventionally beautiful, a more angular skinny kind of prettiness), but Claire is a decent choice, post Winona Ryder. And Jimmy Fallon is supposed to play the boy.

Matt HaugheyAug 27, 2003 at 5:34PM

Jimmy Fallon? That seems all wrong to me. Maybe I read the book wrong, but I was under the impression the male suitor was kind of well off, "slumming it" with this shopgirl. For some reason in my head I assumed the male lead would be older, perhaps 10-15 years older than the shopgirl. It was a long time ago and I can't remember the story specifics, so maybe that was my own misinterpretation, but if I had to pick a male lead for the story I thought I read, I'd say someone like Alec Baldwin (not that I care for his acting, but he's more of a 40-something actor that can play a rich man well).

Andy BaioAug 27, 2003 at 5:39PM

Steve Martin is playing the older "Ray Porter" character. Jimmy Fallon is the younger guy, "Jeremy."

Matt HaugheyAug 27, 2003 at 5:46PM

D'oh, stupid me for not seeing "the boy" there. I'm hopeful the film is as funny as the book, though it relied so much on Steve Martin's witty and wry prose. I don't know how well that will translate to the screen, but LA Story is one of my all-time favorites so Steve can do the on-screen funny stuff well.

rachelAug 29, 2003 at 2:00AM

wasn't jeremy kind of a loser? i read it a few years ago (and then gave it away), so i may not be remembering properly, but i vaguely recall a scene where they went bowling and he paid with coupons. his character was even more of a sad sack than mirabelle. somehow i don't see jimmy fallon, who's hyped as an ironic hipster rocker type, fitting that bill. just thinking. maybe it'll work...?

JenAug 29, 2003 at 11:37AM

Jeremy's a loser, which is a good move for Jimmy, or so his agent is telling him, to show his range. *spoiler* And by the end Jeremy is all cleaned up and seems more promising, so it's not too one note. Basically Jeremy is your typical clueless boy in his 20s.

Henning Emily Jan 25, 2004 at 7:59PM

Churches are hospitals for sinners, rather than hotels for saints.

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.