It is a strange romantic drama based on Steve Martin's novella "Shopgirl".

Young Mirabelle (Claire Danes) who is an artist moves to Los Angeles to get a new job. She lands a job at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills in their glove department. But she is lonely and looks out for a congenial companion.

At first she met a young man named Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), while waiting for her clothes to dry in a Laundromat. She had a date with him and finds out that he is awkward, dull and boring and it was not a pleasant date at all. In order to stay away from loneliness she agrees for a second date with Jeremy and they end up having sex, but many complications follow.

Mirabelle is a day dreamer who always wanted to have the best things in life. One day while working behind the counter at Saks, she met a man named Ray Porter (Steve Martin) who showed great interest in her. He is almost 40 years older than her but a very rich man with business and houses in Los Angeles as well as Seattle. Mirabelle is impressed with Ray's wealth and starts to go out with him. After having sex, Ray told her that he is not interested in a committed relationship and she can see other people if she wants. But he kept on giving her expensive gifts, paid off her student loan and continued wining and dining with her. Mirabelle believed that she is going to end up with Ray and expected a rosy life but Ray on the other hand was using Mirabelle just for sex, which she failed to realize. She wanted Ray to love her and by the time she faced reality, it was too late. Her inability to recognize the right and the wrong in a relationship brought her a lot of pain and suffering.

Director Anand Tucker narrates a funny story with some charm and wit. The romantic situation between the unlikely characters Ray and Mirabelle who are separated by a big difference in age was not likely to last. The vulnerable girl falls in love with Ray just because of his wealth and status. The director is trying to deliver a message like "If a relationship doesn't fit well (Like a glove) just discard it". He gets decent performance out of the cast and the dialogue is good.

Steve Martin as Ray presents an excellent performance. Jason Schwartzman provides some comic relief. Claire Danes as Mirabelle gives a remarkable performance. She is beautiful and charming. Her vulnerability as a fragile girl is well portrayed.

Movie deals with relationships, commitment as well as passion. Even though the narrative has a slow pace and lacks reality, as an entertainer the movie is good. If you are a fan of Steve Martin, you will like this film. 

We rate this movie ABOVE AVERAGE.