I Love Shopping

Being a non-shopper, I can hardly call myself expert on the parsing of a shopaholic in Confessions of a Shopaholic. But this I can say: Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is an addict of major proportions, unable to let go of the exhilaration that shopping brings, a feeling that the world is better for her purchases.

The film is a cliché from the get go, as corny as could possibly be about 25 year old writer Rebecca with the shopping affliction who eventually meets her dream man through a series of subterfuges that would make Melanie Griffith's Tess in Working Girl proud. What saves the film from my scourge, which did not spare the recent Pink Panther 2, is Isla Fisher, who plays dangerous innocence with sincerity and fresh-facedness that makes even Anne Hathaway's Devil Wears Prada role seem downright Machiavellian.

Confessions has this going for it: Although it is not a Judd Apatow comedy with some layers of sophisticated social comedy, it has moments of laughter and social conscience. Coming as it does amidst the worst recession in decades, in which shopping would be a welcome antidote to the fear of spending that exacerbates the recession, Confessions almost makes a case for credit spending; then again maybe such encouragement is not a good thing for shopaholics.

"Confessions of a Shopaholic" really isn't a good story. I had known enough to stay away from the books. It is also, though, light, frivolous fun.

The starting scenes are a lot of fun with Rebecca (Isla Fisher) eyeing the magic of credit cards, and then store mannequins telling her what to buy. It has a great pace especially with the frenetic dashings to get away from the debt collector. It is a simple story and they know that, so they advance it quickly and keep it fun.

The issues with the film is that perhaps they take credit card debt too lightly, but hey, this is supposed to be an escape film. Remember that it's supposed to be an escape film because it of course can be too hard to believe that Rebecca gets a job writing financial advice. The jokes at times get drawn out too much, so it's not as funny as I would have hoped.

All in all, Isla Fisher is a joy to watch, and if you allow yourself to gloss over its flaws, then "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is enjoyable.

Take an adorable girl, dress her with a few complications, add some slapstick comedy, throw in just a pinch of romance; et voilà, a colourful, sweet and funny rom-com.

This movie adaptation of the Shopaholic books delivers a light but yet truly enjoyable comedy. Isla Fisher's is back on the screen with an interpretation that matched the one that catapulted her career in Wedding Crashers. A sweet and lovable personality that will overshadow the less likable facets of lies and compulsive buying in which she draws herself. The romance doesn't steal the show either, flourishing gently on the side and giving the final note of a well executed feel good comedy.

You could argue the lack of seriousness in which this disorder is being treated but I believe this is not what the movie tries to achieve. Don't look for an intellectual masterpiece but instead sit down, get comfy and relax cause this is a chick flick that will give you a few laugh-out-loud moments.

I have to give credit where credit is due; "Confessions of a Shopaholic" does have some engaging moments of comedic credibility. But unfortunately not enough to provide the film with a high interest rate. "Confessions of a Shopaholic" stars the perky Isla Fisher as Rebecca Bloomwood, a full-time magazine writer who also moonlights and daylights as a full-time shopaholic. Ms. Bloomwoodgale herself persistently shops & shops and has run her credit card balances to astronomical rates. Rebecca is in denial that she has a consumer addiction even though she continues to confront many credit card denials in her shopping sprees. She inadvertently gets hired to work as a journalist in (out of all places) a financial magazine. However, her overridden goal is to work as a fashion journalist in the monarchic fashion magazine "Adelle". She starts writing columns in the financial magazine with the alias "the girl with the green scarf" on the nightmare of commercial manipulation and consumer zaniness. Yes! That is true! Is this great country or what? Oh wait, memo to self: this is a movie! Rebecca's personal list includes: a humble editor boss whom she falls for, a best friend roommate who tries to control her shopamanian ways, and parents who want to pursue their R.V. road trip dreams. Eventually and predictably, Rebecca does get herself in several hot water scenarios caused by her consumer craziness and persistent blasphemy. So therefore, she does go through the self-realization addiction process. Director P.J. Hogan's stereotypical depictions of the consumer industry did not provide me anything of originality to get all charged about. However, I must not discount the fact that I did like how he directed Isla Fisher. She was The Fisher Queen of this film with her zany but yet fervent performance; Isla is sure to have her master thespian card renewed with other comedic leading roles in the foreseeable future. However, the rest of the cast of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" are not worthy of a credit thespian increase. Screenwriter Tracey Jackson's script was not of a "laugh-it-all blue light special" material, but commendable enough for a few laughs in return. Due to our nation's economic strife, "Confessions of a Shopaholic" might not be the ideal movie to watch these days; but then again as was previously mentioned- It is a movie! So this yours truly movieholic will try to sale it to you at a moderate price. *** Average

Cute rom-com. Suitable for all ages. Feel-good movie.