Shopgirl

Steve Martin adapted his novella for this story of a lonely LA department store salesgirl (Danes) who finds herself caught between two very different men: a slacker graphic artist (Schwartzman), inarticulate but sincere, and a divorced software magnate (Martin), who gives her everything but sincerity. Unexpectedly, it’s beautifully stylised like a luxuriant ’50s melodrama, allowing us to reflect on its portrait of yearning desires and emotional cowardice. Martin’s wry humour complements the note-perfect performances, all cosseted in Barrington Pheloung’s velvety score. An absolute pleasure.