Confessions of a Shopaholic

I'm happy to say that this isn't one of my shittier film reviews. Maybe because I actually watched this one -_- However, the problem is that IT'S FULL OF SPOILERS and it's too farking LAWWWWNG! I'm not entirely embarrassed by it, but what was I thinking?

Okay, okay, not much.

Confessions of a Shopaholic would make Warren Buffet, and the rest of those feeling the recession burn, groan in anguish. Rebecca Bloomwood, played by Isla Fisher, personifies what got America (and the rest of us by proxy) into the current mess in the first place—greed. She’s just lost her job and she’s over $16,000 in debt, but rather than curb her exorbitant spending she just cannot resist buying a silly green scarf. The CGI mannequin lures her into parting with non-existent dough with flattering words, but being a so-called shopaholic is no excuse for Rebecca’s irresponsible behaviour! She should have taken a good look at herself and cut up all her credit cards on the spot but, of course, then there wouldn’t be a story. She unwisely attempts to use her multiple credit cards at the cashier, but when one is declined and she can’t quite pay for the scarf, she runs to a hot dog stall and cuts the line, all to exchange a cheque for cash. This is when the plot starts to get eye-rollingly predictable.

A handsome guy in the line gives her the $20 she needs, so he can get service. Obviously, this isn’t the only reason as he clearly appreciates Rebecca’s good looks. What’s irritating about the gesture, is that it stereotypes women as damsels in distress and men as their economic saviors, which is highlighted again later. She desperately wants a job as a writer at Vogue-esque fashion magazine Alette, but she loses out to the long-legged beauty Alicia Billington, played by Leslie Bibb. The secretary feels sorry for Rebecca and tells her about a job opening at another magazine, Successful Saving. Less glamorous though it is, Rebecca needs the money and she goes for the interview.

The editor turns out to be the same guy she met at the hotdog stand, Luke Brandon, played by Hugh Dancy. Despite the in-your-face irony, she gets the job due to a mix up and she starts a popular financial advice column called "The Girl in the Green Scarf." She begins to live a lie so she can fit in, going so far as to call the insistent debt collector Derek Smeath a stalking ex-boyfriend. Even though he’s just doing his job, he’s painted as the bad guy while Rebecca gets off lightly when Smeath outs her on television. As expected, all is forgiven. The film should have been titled Confessions of a Selfish, Impulsive Woman Who Doesn’t Deserve That Get Out of Jail Free Card.

What kind of message does this send out? Not a good one. The ending was even changed to throw in some semblance of social consciousness during this economic downturn, but nothing makes up for Isla’s unconvincing acting and the bothersome story line. Even Patricia Field (stylist for Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada) often misses the mark with clothes like Rebecca’s hideous diarrhea-coloured teddy bear fur bolero. If anything, this movie urges you to think twice before spending RM11 on a movie ticket in the future.

Cast Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb Director P. J. Hogan Runtime 104 mins

Text Maybritt Rasmussen

This review can also be found here.

Article taken from KLue Magazine April 2009, Issue 126