Steve Martin

Interview By: Dan Portnoy
DanielPortnoy@TheCinemaSource.com

You may have seen him as the Father of the Bride, or seen him Bringing Down the House with Queen Latifah. But to those who have been around a little longer will recognize this SNL alum from his performances as a Jerk, one of Three Amigo's, or the spunky fireman with a heart as big as his nose in the romantic comedy Roxanne. To mention all of Steve Martin's hits wouldn't be in the best interest of time since there are so many. In his newest film, Shopgirl, Martin takes a break from situational and physical comedy to tackle a more dramatic role in a more dramatic film than audiences associate with Steve Martin.

Shopgirl tells the story of Mirabelle (Claire Danes), a would-be artist making a living selling gloves and accessories in a less than exciting department store. During the film, Mirabelle falls in love with two men, Ray Porter (Martin), a wealthy divorcee, and Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), a musician whose dreams of success greatly outweigh his talent. Caught between two men, Mirabelle must find it in herself to make a choice, one which is true to her dreams and true to her heart.

The film is based on the novel which bares the same name. Both the novel and the screenplay happen to be written by one man. Any guesses' - If you guessed Steve Martin your one hundred percent right. For Steve it's the love of writing and creative freedom that made the construction of the novel and the film so rewarding. 'It's an emotional experience writing it because you examine your own brain, your own creative side in writing and writing and writing'it's affecting and it becomes a part of you.' One thing I can say for sure about Steve Martin is that he is a very passionate man. You'd think such an extensive career would cause one to wind down or fizzle out. Such is not the case here.

For a man primarily known for doing comedies, Martin was able to fill the shoes of a dramatic character very snuggly. Of course there were times where he may have felt uneasy but that goes with the territory. In fact Martin gets more nervous preparing for a comedy than he did for this drama. 'In drama you worry and in comedy you really worry because you've got to get the laughs too. But drama can actually survive in silence and a comedy can't.' Shopgirl isn't without its comedic nuances, providing scattered levity in well timed situations. But what was it that made Martin decide to write this drama' 'Shopgirl is a very special situation. I mean I wrote the novel and I wrote the screenplay and there was no 'I need a drama.' Shopgirl is a work from the heart and that's the greatest thing. When you work from the heart it's very thrilling.'

The film makes use of voiceovers which when used correctly can really add to a film just as poorly applied voiceovers can really take away from it. Martin was extremely pleased with the use of this feature in Shopgirl. 'The voiceovers are spaced very methodically and carefully to come over silence and come over stillness.' In the screenplay and during pre-production of the film, Martin had different plans for the person speaking on the voiceover. 'It's interesting because I originally wrote the narration to be read by an older woman and it was suggested by the director that I give it a try.' That's right folks, the voiceover narration you hear in the film is none other then Steve Martin. And what better choice could have been made than to put the voice of the story as the voice of the film.

Even after Shopgirl's release, the work doesn't stop for Martin. 'I think the reason that most actors don't like living in L.A. is they're always waiting. You wait for a script to come, you wait for a call to come. You're driving around and everywhere you look is competition, but it's also where you go. And the reason that they live there is that's where the business is.' Martin has the luxury of waiting in the upcoming months as The Pink Panther makes its way to the box office.

Martin once again returns to comedy in the form of the legendary Inspector Jacques Clouseau. 'I was looking for a physical comedy to do. When this came along, I sort of questioned myself whether I could handle it, and I decided I could. I was up to it and I liked the team and I went ahead and did it. By the way you'll love it.' I don't doubt it considering the successful track record of Steve Martin and comedy. It's just one more film to look forward to, accompanied by an assurance of laughter.

Let's talk long term for a second. With Martin doing all the writing and the acting and some of the producing of Shopgirl, can we expect a director title in the future' 'I don't have the heart for directing. I couldn't direct, act, produce, it's too much.' You could've fooled me. But still, I think audiences will continue to enjoy Steve Martin and what he brings to his films. And, I think it's safe to expect to see him doing more writing down the road.