MovieChat Forums > Shopgirl (2005) Discussion > should I read the book?

should I read the book?

posted 16 years ago by KAnnD86
7 replies | jump to latest

I've wanted to see this movie ever since it came out. I love Steve Martin and the plot looked interesting. I finally saw it on TV yesterday and was kind of disappointed. The movie left me confused. It seems like something taken from real life so there are probably a lot of details in the book that had to be left out of the movie, details that would make a big difference in understanding the characters. But it's kind of strange to think that Steve Martin based the Ray character on himself. I kind of don't even want to know about all the messed up stuff he did to this woman. I really wanted to enjoy the movie (and I did enjoy many scenes), but I'm not sure I did. Should I read the book or would I just be left more confused and disappointed?

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!

[–] enetgirl 16 years ago

I actually might have read the book, but I don't remember reading a book called Shopgirl. Did it have another title? Anyway, As I began watching the movie I had a keen sense of deja vu... I'm thinking I saw another movie with the same plot, an older man hits on this young salesgirl, but if I did it wasn't this movie with Steve Martin and Clare Danes. Does anyone know if there was ever another movie made of the book, or another movie with this premise?

[–] vanityfair_713 16 years ago

There's bound to be a movie with similar plot, but can't help you out there, sorry. The name of the book was Shopgirl, though, and to my knowledge it's never been adapted aside from this.

Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.

[–] KAnnD86 16 years ago

Well I read the book. I didn't really enjoy it.

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!

[–] vanityfair_713 16 years ago

Just wondering--what didn't you like about the book?

I liked the beginning-middle a lot, but it seemed to get more and more drawn out as it went along.

Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.

[–] KAnnD86 16 years ago

I don't know. It just wasn't my thing I guess. It was really short, I basically read the whole thing in a day. I kinda felt like I had to get it over with, it wasn't something I was dying to finish.

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!

[–] damnspacebarwhereareyou 16 years ago

I read the book twice. I loved it.

[–] 16 years ago

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