Shannon Hile Movies
Steve Martin wrote the screenplay and served as co-producer for this screen adaptation of his short novel, which takes a witty but bittersweet look at a young woman and the two men involved with her. Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes) is an aspiring artist in her mid-twenties who, after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles, where she works at the glove counter of an upscale department store. Mirabelle's job is simple and not demanding, but it doesn't pay especially well, and she finds herself struggling to get out from under a growing mountain of debt from student loans and credit cards. One night, while doing her laundry, Mirabelle meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), a scruffy but likable would-be musician who makes ends meet selling guitar amps. While Jeremy is obviously infatuated with Mirabelle, she isn't sure how she feels about him, especially after she meets Ray Porter (Steve Martin), a man in his fifties whom she meets at the store. Ray is independently wealthy, intelligent, and charming, and after asking her out on a date he sweeps her off her feet. However, while Mirabelle quickly falls for Ray and he's generous to a fault with her, he refuses to commit exclusively to her and suggests they should both see other people, a prospect that no longer holds much appeal for her. Shopgirl received its world premiere at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Steve Martin, Claire Danes, (more)
- 1999
Based on a true story, this crime drama is adapted from Emily Mann's play about the murder of Harvey Milk (Peter Coyote), the first openly gay City Supervisor in San Francisco, who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone (Stephen Young) in 1978. While city employee Dan White (Timothy Daly) was found guilty of the crime, the charge was reduced from murder in the first degree to voluntary manslaughter when his lawyers claimed that White became emotionally unstable after eating too much junk food; this controversial and much-derided legal tactic became known as the "Twinkie Defense." White served five years in prison for the double murder before committing suicide in 1985. Execution of Justice was produced for the Showtime premium cable network. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tim Daly, Stephen Young, (more)
- 1997
Inspired by the work of playwright Tennessee Williams (the story is set in his hometown), Blossom Time tells the story of Francis (Laurel Holloman), a shy young woman who has been minding the family home and looking after her brothers ever since the death of her mother. While her brothers work at the mill during the week and go out drinking on Saturday nights, Francis has only her chores to occupy her time. Francis does have a friend, Amy (Michelle Bronson), who decides that Francis needs to get out more, so she introduces her to her cousin Dwight (David Orr). Francis and Dwight strike up an immediate rapport, but Francis's brothers don't want her to see him; they're slow to explain their reasoning at first, but in time they begin asking some questions about the mysterious death of Dwight's father. David Orr made his directorial debut with this film, as well as playing the role of Dwight. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
