October 23, 2005

[shopgirl and kiss kiss bang bang] ^{3:32 PM}

I know everyone loves the movie poster reviews, but I think I've had my fill of playing in photoshop for the week, so allow these brief reviews to suffice:

Shopgirl
I'm not sure I'd quantify this movie as a comedy, drama, or dramedy. It's genre bending in its maturity, an accurate adaptation of Martin's novella that suffers only some poor directorial choices which makes you wonder why Martin himself didn't tackle the job after writing the screenplay.

My chief complaint is the score, which fits more in a suspense thriller than a film with any sort of genuine romantic undertone. Whenever Steve Martin and Claire Danes are together the music swells so ominously you'd think the camera would pan left to reveal him holding a knife ready to commit a crime of passion. Much dinner discussion afterward lead us to the conclusion that the film would've been better served without a score at all, and thus becoming a startling accurate depiction of singles life in Los Angeles. Don't let the trailer and Death Cab fool you, this isn't a May/December Garden State.

The film's true success story is the performances. This is the role Jason Schwartzman was born to play, and he should stop making movies now. Thankfully, Steve Martin plays the character he's written, and makes no attempt to redeem Ray Porter once his face embodies him on screen. Claire Danes can expect a Golden Globe Nomination. This is the first film to really use her as she should be used: the Amazing Every Girl - Angela Chase from MSCL grown up and aimless in the big bad city.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
A total surprise. Hysterical, yet muddled when it comes to the whodunit aspects of the plot. The real joy in this movie is the Downey Jr./Kilmer pairing - and I never thought I'd say that.

Honestly, what got me to see this movie wasn't the trailers or any advertising, but the transcript of the press junket the two attended. One could only hope their rapport off-screen translated in Shane Black's directorial debut, and it does in spades. One does wonder if the film is re-watchable, however. It made such a wonderful shocking first impression, it's hard to tell if I'll find it charming and gleeful on a second or third go-round.

I'd recommend both films to everyone, but while Kiss Kiss may prove to be sure-fire fun weekend fare, Shopgirl may be best experienced cuddled up on the couch (or in a really tiny theatre that serves hot chocolate).