This film had several things going for it: Baumbach is the co-scripter with Wes Anderson of such films as Life Aquatic; Anderson is the producer; and Laura Linney. Squid was somewhat entertaining, but I was a wee underwhelmed. The performances were outstanding and there was some memorable dialogue; especially the banter between the two writer parents. Example: Jeff Daniels declaring Tale of Two Cities “mediocre Dickens” and wondering why English classes force its students to read the worst books by the best writers. Ha!
(B/M) Shopgirl (Steve Martin, 2005) Grade: C-/C
I think I missed the charm of this novella entirely. A friend recommended it, but I struggled to finish the very short 120-some pages. It might have been Martin’s writing style (or really lack thereof) that I found distressing and distracting. Perhaps I am just wary of actors-turned-writers (i.e. Ethan Hawke). But for me, the novella read like a screenplay. And screenplays don’t work as books. Curious to see the film despite my initial negative opinion, I enjoyed the cinematic adaptation more but only marginally so. As I suspected, Shopgirl worked better on screen. The execution of it all, however, was a bit of a mess. Scenes were repetitive (in order to demonstrate the intense bond between Claire Danes and Martin’s characters), but since there was an obvious lack of chemistry, the scenes were ineffective and pointless. Lack of editing really hurt this film’s chances. The only saving grace was Jason Schwartzman.
(G) Death Cab for Cutie/Stars @ Wiltern (Nov. 12) Grade: A
Although Death Cab focused mostly on new album Plans, the band has certainly improved its on-stage persona. I just wished they delved more into their past catalog for the fans that have been with them since Something About Airplanes. Stars were ace as the opener, and Ben Gibbard even did a duet with singer Torquil Campbell, who is lovely when he dances. All in all, an enjoyable night (despite the younger age group).
12 comments:
I think the book is better than a 'C' for Shopgirl. Not an A by any means. I'd give it a C also if not for the last chapter, possibly. I also don't see anything wrong with actors who try to write (Steve Martin, or Ethan Hawke). I don't think anybody is only talented at one single thing. Besides, Steve Martin is a very intelligent person. Ethan Hawke may or may not be (I did enjoy The Hottest State).
Anyway, I don't see why you think it read like a script. I've read tons of scripts and this was nothing like a script to me. Scripts need dialogue because they're for movies (though not ALL movies are driven by dialogue, but I'd say 95% of them are). Also, the novel has emotion and feelings that scripts don't convey and when the scripts are made into movies they have to rely on music to convey emotion and feeling because they can't do what novels do... get inside a person head (unless they use voice overs which isn't the same). This book had little dialogue but it allowed you to experience the internal more. Not as deeply as it could have been, but still, to a decent extent. I was actually suprised it became a movie because I don't know how they can pull it off when so much of the book was just internal.
Anyway... I would never give the book an A, but it's a good book. I also am not sure what you mean by Steve Martin's lack of style. He conveyed the story effectively and I think conveying is better than getting credit for a style. Great style doesn't substitute for story. I'd never give a book an A for a lousy story but great style.
I'll see the movie in a week or so and see if I agree with your guys less than par opinion of the film version. I feel I'd probably agree with you there since I don't see this story transferring to film well, though you both seemed to like the film more, so who knows.
hard for me to say anything here because i didn't read the novella. i was informed from pigern that i would not enjoy it and since 1. i value her opinion and 2. have a hard time finishing books i decided it was in my best interest not to read the thing. you bring up some excellent points cup o noodles about the book and writing styles. to each their own. i wish i could have liked the movie but i found it really long and dragged out and i didn't care for anyone. maybe it was the director's fault and not the storyline or actors.
Actors certainly can be writers, musicians, etc. I certainly enjoyed Louise Wener’s first novel Goodnight Steve McQueen. But there are rarely “Renaissance” celebrities, so I am just wary (not disdainful) of those who extend their abilities into other fields.
I understand your point about the internal elements of the novella. Perhaps it was Martin’s clipped, short sentences and his ostensibly straightforward manner of writing that I disliked. He stated a point about the character without further exposition and (dare I say it) more Dickensian description. None of these characters felt alive to me and that is why I felt it worked better as film. I actually had to see them exist to believe they were real, whereas strong writers (in my opinion) create characters that actually exist in my head.
And yes, great style never substitutes for a weak plot. In Shopgirl’s case, both were weak.
But then again, it was a bestseller, so maybe I am just a bit outdated.
Okay.. I see what you are saying now. That makes sense to me. I can relate to the lack of development (in a sense), and having to see them in the movie to get a sense of who they really are. I think in the beginning I had some hesitation to a lack of character development, at least on the part of the boy she met in the laundry place and the older male character (I forget their names already).
I was having problems with the book in the beginning as in how can I be on page 60 of a 120 page book and how is he going to wrap everything up in 60 pages when you still feel your at the beginning on page 60 or so. I also had my own personal dislikes of the main female character (though that didn't take away from me enjoying the story).
I guess it's just not a character book. Uhhh... I don't know how to explain it. There's this poet I really enjoy and she tells stories in her poetry and you don't get depth of the character, just the weight of the situation and event and that knowledge of that experience or event gives you a glimpse into the character for which you can write the rest yourself if you want, but to me the point is of the moment of the event and not especially in particular who it's happening to. I guess I look at Shopgirl in that sense. It's (to me) a glimpse in the moments of events (or event) between people, and really in the long run I don't think who the people are matters in the story, at least not as much as what is happening and what can happen in the world of human relations. I don't know if that makes sense. I am not the best at putting my thoughts into words on the spur of the moment.
Obviously I agree with both of you, to each their own. I'll post my opinion of the movie once I see it.
(I like debate).
damn, what's up with all this writing?
i feel bad cos it's alot to read, so i don't read it. i might as well open my syllabus and read about esophageal disorders.
oh yeah, and FOOOOOOR THHHHHHHEEEEE CCHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEESE!!!
Bleed Like Me is ace!
yea there are quite a lot of words in these comments ... i'll just stick with FOR THE CHEESE .... FOR THE CHEESE ... FOR THE CHEESE.
death cab is lame. i'm sorry but there music is medicore at best and all their fame and sucess is a bit strange. i guess when you are on a hit show like the OC for less than 5 mins it must mean the band is good stuff. who knows.
ace pigern ... really??? do you like british stuff that much.
I think Death Cab fame took off because of The Postal Service and not because of Death Cab's music. I don't think they were ever on any mainstream meter until Postal Service.
yea it could be because of postal service but only ben gibbard was tied to that project. if things really took off from postal service than why is jimmy tamborello the other half of postal not sharing the same success. well whatever the reason i don't think dcfc is all that great but hey to each their own. i can honestly say though i'm not the biggest "indie rock/pop" music fan and actually like a good amount of mainstream stuff i.e. kelly clarkson, mariah carey and green day mixed with random bands.
i really don't have anything to say here, but everyone else was leaving comments and I was starting to feel left out. So did anyone see the new star wars/transformer combo toys! man its the best of both world from my childhood!! okay I feel better now.
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