Post by BIGFANBOY on Feb 12, 2009 23:02:22 GMT -5
CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC
Review by Gary Dean Murray
Back when Wedding Crashers came out, I thought that Isla Fisher was the unsung comic talent. Her spoiled brat persona with a wicked streak that won over the heart of Vince Vaughn was the highlight of the entire movie. Her second banana comic appeal made that movie into one of the best of that year. So it only makes sense that some savvy producer would see the benefits of giving this young woman a starring role.
Confessions of a Shopaholic is based on the first two books by Sophie Kinsella. This chick-lit phenomenon about excess shopping is very much a part of the 1990's excess. Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood a twenty something writer living in NYC who wants to be a fashion reporter. The goal job is Alette Magazine. And of course, she has an interview for employment.
Now comes the problem. Her shopping habits are legendary, and she has racked up a debt of over $16,000 to various credit card companies. Those 'magic cards' are now becoming demon talismans. While the hounds of debt collection are attacking her, she makes the mad rabbit dash away. Her roommate Suze (Krysten Ritter) does a grand job of keeping Rebecca's cover and pushing her to go to a Shopaholics Anonymous meeting.
Rebecca has found that the job at the magazine has been filled internally. The receptionist lets her know that the best way to get into Alette is to take a job at another magazine and work her way to the dream job. There is an opening at a business magazine called Successful Savings and (of course) she knows nothing about business but still lands an interview.
The new editor Luke (Hugh Dancy) is looking for a fresh voice and sees the potential of Rebecca. At the magazine, she takes on the nom de plume of 'the girl in the green scarf' in a column about the power of shopping and being frugal, the latter she knows nothing about. But she can discuss the idea of 'cost and worth' in a way that is appealing. Lying is more of her style, even down to the resume that claims she speaks Finnish. She has told so many different fibs that it would take a spread sheet to keep track of them all. Now, from here on out, anyone can predict the ending of this little drama.
First off, John Goodman and Joan Cusack as the parents are brilliant casting. As frugal barons who take the advice of
'the girl in the green scarf', they are transformed. A separate movie could be built on these two characters and their trip in the mobile home they purchase. But, it did seem odd that Joan Cusack would have an adult daughter. Both Hugh Dancy and Krysten Ritter come across as characters from 'Casting Central'. They are 'the boy friend' and 'the best friend' and pigeoned holed in those little boxes. Lazy screenwriting is to blame in their cases. Neither rises above bland.
But this is a showcase for Isla Fisher who rises above the clichés in the screenplay and makes a likable character lovable. With those soulful brown eyes and stunning red hair, she is the girl every guy wished for to live next door. There is no doubt that she can carry an entire film. She has such a presence that one can forgive some of the biggest problems with Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Problems like the entire production.
What is amazing about this feature is how badly it is executed. Simply put it is shot poorly, with so many rack focusing turns that it becomes noticeable. The editing isn't smooth, chopping like the waves before a hurricane hits. At times the entire exercise feels like a student film, done on a nothing budget. One has to wonder if P.J. Hogan even looked at the dailies during the shoot.
To be honest, this film feels like a cross between a Sex in the City episode and The Devil Wears Prada. While not a bad film is is nothing one needs to rush out and see. While I liked the people in Confessions of a Shopaholic, the finished product was not so much Prada and Gucci as it is Walmart and Target.
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