Running time: 112 minutes
Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Kristin Scott Thomas
It is perhaps too convenient to say that a comedy about a chronic shopaholic could have done with shopping around for a funnier script. Is it too much to expect more than an occasional smile or are we supposed to be grateful for even that? If so, then this lifeless adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's bestselling book will just about suffice.
Despite the best efforts of the game Isla Fisher in the role of the ebullient consumer Rebecca Bloomwood, Confessions of a Shopaholic is terminally ponderous and predictable. Populated with clichéd, cartoonish characters with less depth than an American Express card, it's as subtle as a Donatella Versace outfit. What it lacks in humour it endeavours to make up for in color. Echoing Bloomwood's vibrant wardrobe, every scene is constructed from a pop art palette, presumably in the hope that the blinding colors will distract us from the drab dialogue.
The film opens with Bloomwood extolling the virtues of shopping. "A man won't treat you as well as a shop," she declares, which goes some way to explaining why she has huge credit card debts and no boyfriend. A struggling journalist (is there any other kind?), she is sharing an apartment with her best friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) who frequently has to subsidise her fiscally irresponsible flatmate.
Rebecca's ambition is to secure a job with the prestigious fashion magazine Alette run by the formidable Alette Naylor (Kristin Scott Thomas). Responding to an advertised opening, she arrives for an interview only to learn the position has been filled internally. The receptionist suggests the best way in is to work for another in-house publication, which is how the financially naive Rebecca ends up in the unlikely position of a columnist on a savings magazine, with its dashingly handsome editor Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy). As is the license of fictional fare, Rebecca's column becomes a huge success, propelling her to instant stardom. But while she's being perceived publicly as a shrewd businesswoman, privately she is deep in debt as she struggles to curb her shopping addiction.
As engaging as Fisher is, her character is considerably less endearing. There's something inherently annoying about Bloom-wood who is as self-centered as she is stupid. The A-list supporting cast featuring Joan Cusack and John Goodman as Rebecca's goofy parents and Scott Thomas make the best of their flimsy roles, but even their sterling efforts fail to mask the film's shortcomings.
Considering the present recession, it should be fun to enjoy a vicarious spending spree, but sadly Confessions of a Shopaholic provides all too little respite from the global gloom.
Kevin Murphy
Despite the best efforts of the game Isla Fisher in the role of the ebullient consumer Rebecca Bloomwood, Confessions of a Shopaholic is terminally ponderous and predictable. Populated with clichéd, cartoonish characters with less depth than an American Express card, it's as subtle as a Donatella Versace outfit. What it lacks in humour it endeavours to make up for in color. Echoing Bloomwood's vibrant wardrobe, every scene is constructed from a pop art palette, presumably in the hope that the blinding colors will distract us from the drab dialogue.
The film opens with Bloomwood extolling the virtues of shopping. "A man won't treat you as well as a shop," she declares, which goes some way to explaining why she has huge credit card debts and no boyfriend. A struggling journalist (is there any other kind?), she is sharing an apartment with her best friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) who frequently has to subsidise her fiscally irresponsible flatmate.
Rebecca's ambition is to secure a job with the prestigious fashion magazine Alette run by the formidable Alette Naylor (Kristin Scott Thomas). Responding to an advertised opening, she arrives for an interview only to learn the position has been filled internally. The receptionist suggests the best way in is to work for another in-house publication, which is how the financially naive Rebecca ends up in the unlikely position of a columnist on a savings magazine, with its dashingly handsome editor Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy). As is the license of fictional fare, Rebecca's column becomes a huge success, propelling her to instant stardom. But while she's being perceived publicly as a shrewd businesswoman, privately she is deep in debt as she struggles to curb her shopping addiction.
As engaging as Fisher is, her character is considerably less endearing. There's something inherently annoying about Bloom-wood who is as self-centered as she is stupid. The A-list supporting cast featuring Joan Cusack and John Goodman as Rebecca's goofy parents and Scott Thomas make the best of their flimsy roles, but even their sterling efforts fail to mask the film's shortcomings.
Considering the present recession, it should be fun to enjoy a vicarious spending spree, but sadly Confessions of a Shopaholic provides all too little respite from the global gloom.
Kevin Murphy
Financially carefree New Yorker Rebecca Bloom (Fisher) doesn’t just shop. She doesn’t just shop until she drops. She shops until her constantly declined credit cards self-destruct.
Straining under $16,000 of debt and the attentions of a debt collection agency, it’s kinda ironic that she lands a job on a financial magazine where her article about fiscal responsibility is a hit.
Fortunately, she’s also a smash with dishy editor Luke “I won’t let clothes define me” Brandon (Colin Firth-in-waiting Hugh Dancy), who happily looks beyond a bizarre job interview where telling the truth didn’t seem to be an issue.
Fisher's naturally impressive ability to cheekily tweak a scene, comically twist the dialogue or just make her character sympathetic makes you see what partner Sacha Baron Cohen sees in her.
Dancy does what’s asked of him, while John Goodman (as Rebecca’s dad) and Kristin Scott Thomas (as a Vogue editor Anna “Nuclear” Wintour clone) are on hand for old-school class.
Tim Evans
Above are two examples of film reviews for the film Confessions Of A Shopaholic. The reviews are taken from websites Sky.Com and Talk talk which are both independent sources and so will not be bias or unreliable. Sky's review is probably not the best example to use as it doesn't really describe what the critic thinks of the film nor does it give a rating to give any indication of what the film is like. Talk talks Review is allot better as it gives a clear description of what the critic thinks; in this case the critic has given the film 5 out of 10 stars which would suggest he is not entirely happy with the film and thinks it could be improved.
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