"Confessions of a Shopaholic" would have been a disaster if it were not for the way its director, P.J. Hogan, allowed its cast what appears to be a continuous fun on the set. Isla Fisher has a lot to do with the success of this comedy that with other actress might not have been the fun it is.
We realize from the start this is a movie that glorifies the shallowness in our consumer society, but it never takes itself seriously like "Sex in the City", for its own benefit. Yes, the idea is about how weak persons can end themselves in the predicament Rebeca Bloomwood finds herself. She shows no redeeming qualities, but she is not mean spirited. It is hard for her not to buy the latest fashions, or to miss a designer's sale.
Her credit card debt amounts to almost nine thousand dollars. She is being haunted by a bill collector, one Derek Smeath that is bent in almost stalking her to get her to pay. Rebeca, who hails from humble origins, has gone crazy when she arrived in Manhattan searching for a career in publishing. When the fashion magazine job she wants is filled, she decides to go for a completely different field, high finances, as a fluke. When she is hired, no one is more surprised than her. Working for Luke Brandon will ultimately bring her to her senses. In the process she falls in love with a man that sees her for what she is.
Isla Fisher continues to surprise. She is a good comedienne as she has already proved in "Definitely, Maybe" and other films. Her rapport with co-star Hugh Dancy pays off in unexpected ways. Krysten Ritter, who plays her best friend Suze is quite effective. The excellent Kristin Scott-Thomas shows up as a sort of Anna Wintour editor. John Goodman and Joan Cusack are seen as Rebeca's parents.
We realize from the start this is a movie that glorifies the shallowness in our consumer society, but it never takes itself seriously like "Sex in the City", for its own benefit. Yes, the idea is about how weak persons can end themselves in the predicament Rebeca Bloomwood finds herself. She shows no redeeming qualities, but she is not mean spirited. It is hard for her not to buy the latest fashions, or to miss a designer's sale.
Her credit card debt amounts to almost nine thousand dollars. She is being haunted by a bill collector, one Derek Smeath that is bent in almost stalking her to get her to pay. Rebeca, who hails from humble origins, has gone crazy when she arrived in Manhattan searching for a career in publishing. When the fashion magazine job she wants is filled, she decides to go for a completely different field, high finances, as a fluke. When she is hired, no one is more surprised than her. Working for Luke Brandon will ultimately bring her to her senses. In the process she falls in love with a man that sees her for what she is.
Isla Fisher continues to surprise. She is a good comedienne as she has already proved in "Definitely, Maybe" and other films. Her rapport with co-star Hugh Dancy pays off in unexpected ways. Krysten Ritter, who plays her best friend Suze is quite effective. The excellent Kristin Scott-Thomas shows up as a sort of Anna Wintour editor. John Goodman and Joan Cusack are seen as Rebeca's parents.