Confessions Of A Shopaholic Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
All she ever wanted was a little credit...
A college grad lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City to support where she nurtures her shopping addiction and falls for a wealthy entrepreneur.
| Isla Fisher | Rebecca Bloomwood |
| Hugh Dancy | Luke Brandon |
| Krysten Ritter | Suze |
| Joan Cusack | Jane Bloomwood |
| John Goodman | Graham Bloomwood |
| Mike Agresta | Street Vendor |
| Michael Bennett | Bendels staff person |
| Robert Bizik | A Shopaholic |
| Anthony Bradford | Wedding Guest |
| Chris aka Trash Bright | Businessman |
| Anthony C. Brown | Hip-Hop Kid |
| Lee Burkett | Movie Producer |
| Kevin Cannon | Sexaholic |
| Nick Cornish | Tarquin |
| Anthony Correa | Business man |
| P.J. Hogan |
5.80 out of 10 (4848 votes)
Visitor Reviews
hideous and insulting to women
posted on 31 Aug 2009who writes this trash? oh hee hee--SHOES!!!! oooh, i'm a girl, i can't control my impulses -- i'm too stupid to understand how credit cards work! look--aren't i adorable??? all i want are some cute clothes and a big strong man and i'll lie and manipulate to get it! TEE HEE!! TEE HEE HEE HEE! gross. horrid. god-awful. even ilsa can't save it-for paris hilton and barbie and skipper fans only. this is pretty sad . we haven't come a long way, babies.
A lot of fun
posted on 31 Aug 2009Seeing the preview in theaters of Confessions of a Shopaholic gave me the impression of a cheesy and obnoxious movie I was not about to see. I wanted to give it a chance, so I went with a friend one night and had a blast. It's one of those movies that defeats any pretense because the person behind the commercial merely did a bad job.
The best part of the movie is Isla Fischer and her millions of clothes. She is such an adorable, bubbly person who is inspirational, motivated, and confident. Occasionally she embarrasses herself without realizing and can bury herself under mountains of debt, but she emerges from the moments of confrontation as a stronger person.
Maybe I should get this checked out, but I found myself agreeing with everything she described about the euphoria of shopping. The clothes are out there and the compilations are unique, and I was drooling the whole time. Not to mention her very impressive and handsome beau.
One aspect I accredit the movie for and what somewhat lacks is the relationship between the main character and her boss. I'm the glad their romance didn't dominate the storyline because, ultimately, it became a story about a person finding out what she truly wants from life. And Hugh Dancy is a strong enough actor to portray more than one emotion in the little screen time he has compared to Isla. The only major cliche I caught was the lie, revealing/betrayal, makeup stage of the romantic comedy relationship.
Confessions of a Shopaholic is a fun romp I'd like to see more than once. It's goofy and funny, sweet, and a very feel good movie. I'm surprised the ratings on here are reduced to a three!
Fun for a matinee
posted on 31 Aug 2009We start with Rebecca Bloomwood, the charming and absolutely adorable Isla Fisher. She has a knack for labels and finding sales in order to own them. She uses the analogy of falling in love and compares it to the satisfaction of trading plastic for goods. Heart melts like butter when she sees a store, and she always dreamed of using her magic cards. At one point we see her buying a 120 scarf and splitting it over five cards and still coming up 23 dollars short. When she realizes she has a problem, over 12 credit cards, she also realizes her boss has rolled over on the company and she no longer has a job. The hillarious tragedies that ensue over these many complications only get better as the debt collectors find her. Very cute movie, good for taking your mind off of things, especially in these hard economic times.
Devil Wears Prada For the Economic Meltdown
posted on 31 Aug 2009Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a NY ingenune in love with clothing that far exceeds her budget. Rebecca aspires to work at a top fashion magazine but gets hired at Smart Saver instead. She writes a clever magazine article that is a hit with the plebs, catapaulting her to saver saviour status. In the meantime, she falls in love with her cute boss and dodges debt collectors.
The plot of Confessions of a Shopaholic is the EXACT opposite of The Devil Wears Prada (Widescreen Edition). In Devil, Anne Hathaway wants a "serious" job but gets a makeover and a job at Vogue. In Confessions Rebecca wants the frivilous job but gets a makeunder and a job at Serious Saver. Both girls are run ragged trying to keep up with the lie they are living and eventually come to terms with their goals. In Devil, Anne is run out of her job by Meryl Streep. In Confessions, Rebecca is mentored and loved by Hugh Dancy.
I'll confess that I went to see this movie because of Australian wife of Sasha Cohen, Isla Fisher. Isla is funny, but sadly this movie does not make good use of her talents. Her only shining moment is in a scene where she gets to dance with a fan. I was expecting something frivilous and vapid when I went to see Confessions-a guilty pleasure if you will, but this film was just very very boring. Girls under 20 might find some redemption in this plot, but Confessions of a Shopaholic wasn't the silly bit of girl fun I was hoping for. A bit of a disappointment. Wait for the Netflix release or watch Romy and Michele's High School Reunion or re-runs of Sex and the City - The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset) instead.
As far as the fashion by Patricia Fields....Hey, didn't I see that cape on Carrie?
Pure Frivolous Fun!
posted on 31 Aug 2009I have a confession to make...every now and then I love to see movies that are purely frivolous, just plain fun and, well, on the girly side. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the perfect combination of these qualities. It's full of silly, completely ridiculous situations, witty dialogue, slapstick humor and lighthearted entertainment that reminds every girl about the excitement, and danger, of shopping.
Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a shopping-addicted New York journalist who suddenly finds herself buried under credit card debt and without a job. In order to pay off her bills and move closer to her dream, Rebecca takes a job at a finance magazine that's all about saving money. Through a series of highly improbable, but absolutely hilarious, events Rebecca becomes the magazine's poster girl for personal finance -while hiding overdue bills under her bed.
Shopaholic quickly becomes predictable, leaving the audience only to wonder how and when the next plot point will occur. While this may bother some film goers, I didn't mind it because that's the kind of movie I was expecting. It's fun and entertaining enough to help you escape from your own credit card debt for a little while, but not phenomenal. Fisher is irresistible and will keep you wondering what kind of crazy thing she's going to do next.
But men beware -even though Shopaholic is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this movie is purely for women. The only guys who were in the theater when I went seemed like they were dragged by their significant others (except my dad, who likes Isla Fisher). The movie's PG rating also implies that the movie is intended for families. There were a few little girls in the theater when I went, and they seemed to be having a better time than the adults. But adults be warned: there are scenes of alcohol consumption and drunkenness in the movie, but they are fairly mild.
Some people think that this movie is not appropriate for the country's current economic condition, but I think that it teaches a good lesson. Rebecca's credit card debit ends up ruining her life and her career so much that she is forced to change her habits and conquer her shopping addiction -sounds to me like something the average American should have learned long ago.
Madcap Frappe
posted on 31 Aug 2009Happily, I paid only $4.75 to watch director P. J. Hogan's 2009 film, "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Perhaps, I should have saved my money. In these times of economic instability we are told that every penny counts and unfortunately a storyline that centers around a twenty-something girl wandering around Manhattan like a free credit-card wielding electron willing to swipe multiple magnetic strips to purchase anything window dressed mannequins offer without the ability of even making a minimum payment at the 15th of the month, seems almost nostalgically simple-minded. Watching hordes of women queued up to enter a designer's sample sale and then participating in an infantile tug of war for red Pucci boots in this frugal climate could be likened to observing a traditional ritual from some arcane village uncovered after centuries of isolation by the cameras of National Geographic. Is the release of this film now merely bad timing for Mr. Hogan? Or perhaps it sparkles with opportunity as a cutesy cautionary tale of pursuing the trappings of an American Dream gone to credit collection nightmare while still dropping the names of expensive designer labels with light speed frequency?
There are a few close-to-home zingers as when lead character Rebecca Bloomwood (the saucer-eyed Isla Fisher of Wedding Crashers - Unrated (Widescreen New Line Platinum Series) and Definitely, Maybe (Widescreen)) prompted by her attractive new boss (Hugh Dancy of Evening and The Jane Austen Book Club) to query Comintex CEO at the podium of the company's annual meeting as to why bonuses were still appropriated to its officers while stockholders took a hit. But for the most part, "Confessions of a Shopaholic" tries so hard to be a fluffy continuance of the fashionista's Mecca of labels and love resuscitated by "Sex and the City - The Movie (Special Edition)," that any serious theme gets blown away in the detritus of a clothing tornado that literally and excessively expands way beyond the confines of the room the financially strapped Rebecca must live in at her friend's apartment.
The plotline follows the tried and true formula of the intelligent small town girl reaching beyond her lower-to-middle class background to accomplish a headlining achievement in the big city. Sadly, the script does not allow the vivacious Isla Fisher to indicate any real genius other than piece together a doubtful overnight success of a column combining sound money advice with common sense by using "Finance for Dummies" as her foundation for an investment monthly in a family of magazines that includes the fashion rag for which she really wishes to write. The bulk of the film pits Rebecca's sad financial floundering against her uniquely plain speak manner of explaining fiscal solvency. Zany antics that quite frankly would never fly in any of today's corporate situations yet worked in the girl-makes-good genre of 40s cinema abound--a mini-skirted Ms Fisher unwisely and unattractively sprawls across a conference table in an attempt to stop her boss from speaking with and hence discovering the debt collector that hounds her. She bangs herself into glass doors, teeters precariously in elevator heels that add a klutz factor rather than sex appeal and stomps through a Latin rhythm on a South Beach dance floor in a way that would make Ginger Rogers cringe. What worked for Lucille Ball in the 50s defined desperate and "I'll-try-anything" as funny--however, Ms Ball always seemed ladylike and elegant where Ms. Fisher's modern Carrie Bradshaw sense of style simply does not lend to this categorization.
Does it work anyway? Not as well as it did in the madcap heroine era of the black and white 40s. The audience knew the outcome ahead of time but nevertheless it rooted shamelessly anyway. I can't say that I felt the same way about "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Swathed in shades of tangerine, fuchsia and heliotrope that compliment her hair, Ms Fisher moves through this film with reckless abandon. She's cute--actually she's adorable--but her insouciant wide-eyed lying with regard to her elaborate unaffordable lifestyle comes off as more than slightly pathological. Could her frugal parents (Joan Cusack and John Goodman) be at fault? After all, they bought her brown and sensible when she wanted pink and sensational. Thankfully, we never quite understand what drives Rebecca's addiction--Hogan isn't crazy enough to make it look as if there was some big psychological reason behind all that expensive frou-frou.
Bottom line? "Confessions of a Shopaholics" attempts to recapture the great madcap comedies of 1940's Hollywood. While the story lines may be fun in the Kinsella series from which the movie is based, the presentation of the film during the current financial squeeze doesn't really work as well as it should. Don't go for the fashion; Ms Fisher combines animal prints with neons, colored tights and too high shoes that do not really work for her body type. She, nevertheless, has great potential as a comedian with the right material. Recommended only for those who have to see it.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"
Confessions of a Shopaholic Review from The Massie Twins
posted on 31 Aug 2009For a romantic comedy to remain in its genre, there are certain boundaries that it mustn't cross. So we really can't begrudge such a film for playing it safe and Confessions of a Shopaholic does just that - the actual predicaments and resolutions may not necessarily be predictable but the progression is. Our financially naïve protagonist inadvertently finds her calling while awaiting what she feels she's always wanted, but her addictions (and a few mean people) strive to bring her down. As she reaches rock bottom she will inevitably conquer her demons and rise once again. Perhaps closer analysis may uproot a deeper message as her boss's journey contradicts her own; while he yearns not to be defined by family she discovers that it is indeed those loved ones that define her. But alas, a few klutzy slapstick gags later and such trivialities quickly immerse themselves back beneath the surface.
Struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source, Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) unintentionally lands a job writing for a financial magazine after a drunken letter-mailing mix-up. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca's innovative comparisons and unconventional metaphors for economics grants her critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke (Hugh Dancy). But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her "shopaholic" condition will bring her real happiness.
The fish-out-of-water story seems to keep popping up in every single romantic comedy of late; Confessions of a Shopaholic is no exception, although the supporting characters and environment that surrounds star Isla Fisher is entirely more pleasant. In fact, her wide-eyed, perky and cheery attitude brightens the screen, even if the plot is unduly contrived and understandably formulaic. She's believable, relatable to a great many, and eye candy for the rest - which is more than can be said for most of the generic female-oriented films that flood the market every Valentine's weekend (and several weeks prior).
Like last year's How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (which this surpasses), Confessions of a Shopaholic works around the same humorous elements that made the far superior films Big and Working Girl successful: an open-minded boss who's willing to risk hiring an unqualified (or outstandingly creative) employee for the chance on a fresh point of view; and the joys of seeing said underdog rise to the top, against the norm, utilizing random luck at every turn, and combating jealous coworkers. The pattern is simple, the outcome is assured, and while no scene dares to stare originality in the face, this fluffy, buoyant romantic comedy manages to entertain expectedly and as it should.
- The Massie Twins
The preview makes this movie look like fluff, but it's not.
posted on 31 Aug 2009I remember seeing previews for this on tv and honestly the previews made this movie look like a really typical, fluffy, stupid movie with a stupid lead character. I was pleasantly surprised when I did end up watching the DVD. It's sweet and cute, but not as superficial and horrid as I had imagined. Therefore, I give it a 4 out of 5 stars as it wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a cute, fun movie for girls and women. :)
Not the entertainment I was expecting
posted on 31 Aug 2009I am a romantic comedy loyalist. Normally, I love films like this. My library is packed with 'em! However, this movie left me wanting. Aside from Isla Fisher being a sweetheart and Hugh Dancy being a hottie, I found that it got quite dry in the middle and continued through the end. I just really don't think anyone should waste their money on this film! The plot was uninteresting and predictable, with little to no laughs.
Predictable fluff
posted on 31 Aug 2009My husband is a good sport and will watch a good chick flick. He left this one after 5 minutes. It could have been good if the script was better written and the plot had more meat to it. I felt sorry for the actors. My 20-something daughter and I thought is was pretty sappy and shallow.
Fun, Fashion, and Friends
posted on 31 Aug 2009I saw this movie without reading the book first and I loved it. Isla Fisher is HILARIOUS as Rebecca Bloomwood and she is definitely an actress to watch out for. Isla plays the part of Rebecca, a shopaholic trying to avoid a debt collector, extremely well. She makes Rebecca seem cute, innocent, funny, smart, and of course, fashionable.
Read with caution, as I may have basically the whole movie written down here:
The story of this movie is basically that when shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood (how fun is it to say that?) is left without a job, she goes to work at a finance magazine called Successful Saving, hoping to use that to get to where she really wishes to be: Alette, a fashion magazine. Rebecca advises people on how to use their money and as she uses her own shopping experiences to write her articles, Rebecca gains much popularity and becomes known as "The Girl in the Green Scarf". Rebecca also falls in love with her boss, Luke Brandon. There is a dancing scene relating to this in the movie that had me crying from laughing so hard, it was that funny.
All the action happens while Rebecca, with the help of her loyal friend Suze, tries desperately to avoid Derek Smeath, a debt collector intent on getting back the thousands that Rebecca owes. It is hilarious to watch Rebecca as she makes up dozens of excuses, (I broke my leg, my aunt is in the hospital, my aunt fell out of a skydiving accident, I'm in Finland) attempting to avoid this man.
After watching the movie, I read the book and I understand why there are people unhappy with the movie. The movie is very different from the book, but it is in no way less enjoyable. The plots of both the movie and the book are still very good and the movie still attains the fun spirit of the book.
This movie is sweet, it is funny, and it will make you smile. The music of this movie is the perfect soundtrack to Rebecca Bloomwood's story and the fun music adds to the enjoyment of the movie. I recommend this movie for a for a friends night or if you just want to have some good, simple fun. You will not be disappointed!
enjoyable
posted on 31 Aug 2009I have read and loved the complete Shopaholic series and was looking forward to seeing the movie. What I have learned over the years, is when a book/author gets a movie deal the directors and producers take alot of creative license with their project...which equals = dissapointing. So while I sit down comfortably on my couch and play with the remote control, I psyched my self up into seperating the movie from the book...you need to do this else you wont enjoy the movie for what it is and you'll start picking out scenes they missed and pick at scenes that were added, and be upset that they made her a New Yorker and not from London.She was never in Miami in the book..I could go on . The truth is they ( the powers that be ) use the books as a guide. We all need to remember this, it's important if you ever want to see your favorite books made into movies again and enjoy them.
I found this movie a feast on the eyes with all the beautiful fashion. fell in love with the characters all over again and laughed ..alot( remember the book is a guide ) Loved the scene when she tried to pay for the green scarf with cash and several different credit cards and the last card was declined and she ran up to a hotdog vender for cash back if she bought one hotdog.( her soon to be future boss ended up giving her a $20.00 bill after a long drawn out excuse about an aunt )she got her scarf. Loved the credit card in ice and the dept collecter on the hunt for her ( almost catching up with her a few times )that she felt she had to tell her boss somthing...so she came up with a last minute excuse that he was an ex boyfriend who is stalking her and they had him escorted out of the building. It was an enjoyable movie with a happily ever after. Watch it your friends and prepare to laugh.
A rather embarrassing 'formula' movie
posted on 31 Aug 2009To begin, I'm a man and it would seem pretty obvious I'm not the target audience for this movie. I also haven't read the book(s) it's based on.
I decided to compare this movie (watched on DVD) with 'The Devil Wears Prada', which seemed to me to have the same combination of girl appeal, comedy, romance, and a touch of drama. I enjoyed 'Prada' but 'Confessions' was a really poor 'wannabe' in comparison. There were times when I had to leave the room as they telegraphed the embarrassing comedy moment far in advance. Weak character development and desperate struggling to get from one set piece to another made this movie a chore to watch. I liked the trailer though. Aren't there many more, better, movies like this, where the troubled girl sorts out her life, gets the job and man of her dreams and lives happily ever after?
Blu-ray: I enjoyed the vibrancy of the film more than the story itself. But overall, a good popcorn-flick.
posted on 31 Aug 2009Sophia Kinsella (a pen name for writer Madeline Wickham) is known for her "Shopaholic" novels which have been a hit in the UK. Having published a total of five novels, Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films has a film based on the first two novels ("Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) released back in 2001 and 2002.
Taking on the directorial reigns of the film is P.J. Hogan ("My Best Friends Wedding") and a screenplay by writers Tracey Jackson ("The Other End of the Line"), Tim Firth ("Calendar Girls") and Kayla Alpert (who produced many episodes for the TV series "Ally McBeal"). Music for the film is by James Newton Howard ("The Sixth Sense", "Pretty Woman", "Primal Fear", etc.) and cinematography by Jo Willems ("30 Days of Night" and "Rocket Science").
The film would feature many all-star talents which include Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers", "Definitely, Maybe" and "The Lookout"), Hugh Dancy ("Black Hawk Down", "Ella Enchanted" and "Basic Instinct 2), Krysten Ritter ("Frost", "27 Dresses" and "Gilmore Girls"), Joan Cusack ("War, Inc.", "Say Anything", "The School of Rock" and "Chicken Little"), John goodman ("Rosanne", "Cars and "Bee Movie"), John Lithgow ("Dexter, "Dreamgirls" and "3rd Rock from the Sun") and Kristin Scott Thomas ("The Golden Compass", "Mission Impossible" and "I Loved You So Long").
The film revolves around Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), a writer for a gardening magazine who lives with her friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) and is known for her overuse of her credit cards (around a dozen of them) which she constantly uses in order to purchase the latest designer clothing in Manhattan. Her shopping habits are obsessive and to the point that her debt is just incredibly high and she has bills that have not been opened and unpaid. Needless to say, she's in financial trouble but yet continues to shop like there's no tomorrow.
As a child, Rebecca has always been enamored by clothes but due to her fiscally conservative parents, always had to get the cheaper clothing and now as an adult, only wants the best. Her goal is to work for her favorite fashion magazine "Alette" but finds out during the interview that Editor Alette Naylor (Kristin Scott Thomas) has hired socialite Alicia Billington (Leslie Bibb) for the job.
But instead of sulking about not getting the job, Rebecca receives good information from the office assistant that "Successful Saving" is hiring and because its part of the same family that publishes "Alette", she can work her way to the top. So, Rebecca interviews for the position and is interviewed by new editor Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) who tries to learn more about her financing skills. Having really no experience, she fumbles her way during the interview and claiming she knows about finance and that she knows Finnish (which she doesn't know at all).
While returning back to her regular job, she finds out that her job is folding their business and without a job, she will be unable to pay her credit card bills. And because she has maxed out may of them and doesn't make all that much, she continually receives a message from debt collector Derek Smeath (Robert Stanton).
While her friend Suze tries to get her focused on paying her bills and getting Rebecca to take responsibility for her debt, the two get drunk and she accidentally sends a letter with a sample story to Luke Brandon, while accidentally sending the letter mean for Luke to Allete Magazine.
She receives a call a few days later from Luke that hew as impressed by the story and is hired to be a writer at "Succesful Saving". Using her knowledge of shopping, she utilizes her skill as a writer and uses the name of "The Girl in the Green Scarf". Her article becomes a success and makes the fledgling financial magazine to become a hit.
But with her debt collector doing what he can to get his money from Rebecca, and Rebecca having to wing a lie that she knows about finance, will she be able to keep this charade up for long? And to make things worse, will her shopaholic mindset hurt her as she continues to pile debt?
"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is released on Blu-ray with 2-discs. The first disc features the film and special features while the second disc features a digital copy of the film.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is featured in 1080p with an aspect ratio of (2:40:1). If there is one thing that caught my attention about "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC", the film tries to showcase many vibrant colors. So, there are many scenes that just looks quite gorgeous. For the most part, the majority of the film receives another solid transfer but there are some scenes that do have quite a bit of grain and also, some scenes that tend to overdo it with the color of red and amber colors. But overall, the picture quality of "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is very good and considering Touchstone is part of Disney, all Blu-ray releases from their various companies have all been solid.
As for audio, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is featured in English 5.1 DTS-HD (48 kHz/24-bit) and also in French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital. The film actually does a great job by use of panning audio from speaker to speaker but for the most part, the film is front and center channel heavy. Dialogue is clear and for this film, one of the big factors in audio is the utilization of music. There is some good LFE bass when it comes to music being used and overall, the soundtrack comes alive. From the busy shops, to the sample sales in which you can hear the women fighting over clothing but it's the music that I was impressed with how alive it was and setting a stylish pace for this film.
As for subtitles, English SDH, French and Spanish is offered.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" comes with a few short features featured in 1080p or 480i, English 5.1 or 2.0 Dolby Digital and English SDH, French and/or Spanish subtitles. Included are:
* BEHIND THE FASHION - This segment features a total of six short special features. Included in this section are:
- Wardrobe by Patricia Field - (3:01) How Jerry Bruckheimer was happy to have Patricia Field ("Sex and the City" and "Devil Wears Prada") involved as the costume designer for this film. Interview with Patricia Field.
- Temple of Shopping - (2:32) How the film was shot at the 5th Avenue Boutique, Henri Bendel and the designs created for thet set.
- The Green Scarf (1:33) Costume designer and stylist Patricia Field discusses how the green scarf was used on the film and how she was inspired by a Dolce & Gabanna scarf.
- New York: Fashion Central- (2:34) A featurette about how awesome it was too shoot in New York. From the shops in Manhattan to capturing the beauty of the city on film.
- Sample Sale Madness - (1:58) Around 200-300 women were hired to take part in the "Sample Sale" segment of the film. The women went all out in their craziness during the sale and how actress Isla Fisher enjoyed shooting this scene.
- Window Shopping - (1:50) The film features a creative use of the mannequins which communicate and try to entice Rebecca Bloomwood to shop at their store. This featurette shows us how models had to wear body suits and were CG'd to look like mannequins.
* Deleted Scenes - (6:19) A total of four deleted scenes which include "19 Scarf, Scarf, Scarf", "Zepbra Print Pants", "The Unexpected Kiss" and "Plaid".
* Bloopers of a Shopaholic - (2:07) The bloopers from the set of "Confessionso of a Shopaholic".
* Music Videos: This segment features a total of three music videos which include:
- "Stuck with Each Other" by Shontelle feat. Akon (3:25)
- "Accessory" by Jordyn Taylor (3:23)
- "Take Time to Love" by Trey Songz (2:32)
JUDGMENT CALL:
I tend to enjoy many films that utilizes fashion and designer clothing into the film. So, I had high hopes for "Confessions of a Shopaholic" because it was a fun and stylish looking film. In fact, for the most part, I did enjoy the film as we know that the character of Rebecca Bloomwood would eventually be caught for her lying and that there would be a cost or some type of way she would learn about her obsessive shopping habits.
But the problem with the film are the numerous farfetched and contrive plots. You would think that a financial magazine would hire a writer based on a strong financial portfolio. Then there's the debt collector and we get to see how far a debt collector would go. Granted, some debt collectors are known for their slimy tactics but in this film, it takes things to a new level.
In a way, two things that work against the comedy is unfortunately, in a bad economy, where people are depending on their credit cards or other ways for money for survival, you have a character who has a dozen credit cards that she doesn't use for survival but for buying expensive designer brand merchandise. Second, where you hope to see an empowered woman at the end becomes a woman who is just too ditsy to even think of a professional working for a major finance magazine. As farfetched some plots were in the film, how this character is redeemed is again, too over-the-t0p.
Granted, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is a romantic comedy but at least with a "DEVIL WEARS PRADA", there is a likable woman who gets caught up in the fashion world but through pain, becomes a stronger. Even, "Legally Blonde" had some redeeming factors with the main character.
With two novels being covered in the first film, sometimes I wonder how much storyline from the novels were actually skipped in the film adaption. Having not read any of the novels, was Rebecca Bloomwood like this throughout the two novels? Was their redemption for her character?
I also felt that perhaps the film could have used the talent (and there are a good number of well-known talent) a bit more wisely.
As for the Blu-ray release, so far anything related to Disney that has been released in High Definition have all been solid. "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is a film where color plays a primary part in the film and this film is quite colorful and vibrant. The audio is fun and for all films that utilize fashion, the music soundtrack plays a big part and in this case, music plays a very big part in "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC". I enjoyed the use of audio especially how my subwoofer started working in tandem with the front speakers for certain songs. So, that was cool to see! Also, I was quite happy to see a digital copy included with this release.
Despite the number of special features included on the Blu-ray disc, I was surprised that there was no in depth behind-the-scenes featurette. Most of the special features included are quiet short and are at under two minutes.
"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" starts off very well in its first half but somehow, unfortunately, the over-the-top situations start to make things a bit too farfetched and contrived for my tastes and the overall storyline was a bit predictable. But by no means is the film a bad. There's no denying that filming in New York City has given this film such beauty and the overall fashion presentation makes this film quite stylish and cool.
In the end, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" was an enjoyable popcorn flick which you can enjoy for its crazy humor, stylish presentation and its crazy characters. Isla Fisher is absolutely charming and fun but its probably best to watch this romantic comedy without being serious minded.
But as long as you enjoy its craziness, you'll find "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" to be quite entertaining and fun!
Film gets a three stars, picture and audio quality I'll give it an additional star.
Looking for the Success of "The Devil Wears Prada": Very Ordinary Romantic Comedy
posted on 31 Aug 2009I haven't read the author Sophie Kinsella's original series, but I believe Rebecca of the books is a totally different person from the heroine of this Hollywood adaptation with such an ordinary story. It is hard to believe that "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is directed by P. J. Hogan who actually made edgy "Muriel's Wedding" about 15 years ago.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" follows the life of a college graduate Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) hoping to write for a fashion magazine. Being a "shopaholic" or compulsive shopper, however, and unable to resist the urge to buy (with 12 credit cards in her purse), Rebecca is in debt, so she applies for the job as writer for a financial magazine. There she meets a handsome (and incredibly patient) editor Luke (Hugh Dancy) and becomes a successful columnist under the pen name of "The Girl with the Green Scarf." This is highly implausible, you might say, but the real problem is something else.
The screenplay of "Confessions" is a good showcase of romantic comedy cliché - from the heroine making mistakes and realizing it later, to her best friend getting married and slightly eccentric but understanding parents. In fact, despite the central topic that could be very serious, the film's script is just a concoction of ordinary ideas, among which capable cast is wasted, including Joan Cusack and John Goodman as the heroine's parents as well as Kristin Scott Thomas sporting French accent. Costume designer is Patricia Field ("The Devil Wears Prada," with which the film shares some storyline), and perhaps her work is one of the few reasons that you should watch this film.
Some heroines in movies or TV series are loved by the audiences because of their flaws. The flawed heroine of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is desperately trying to be that and succeeds to some extent thanks to the star Isla Fisher, but with no visible chemistry between her and Hugh Dancy, and the run-of-the-mill screenplay, she has no chance from the beginning.
A good moral message for many ladies I know
posted on 31 Aug 2009I'm glad a somebody made a chick flick out of shopping. Shopping has probably caused more tensions in relationships than anything (other than in-laws perhaps). This movie highlights some of those tensions in a funny way. Guys will probably recognize a lot of Isla Fisher in their girlfriends, while gals can probably at least their shopping sprees aren't quite so bad. Definitely a fun date movie.
A review from a middle aged MALE's perspective.
posted on 31 Aug 2009
Many of the reviews of this DVD are from females, who are, of course, the target audience for both the book the film was based on , as well as the movie.
Well, I don't fit that mould, being a male and being much older that, again, the target audience. But I really did enjoy the film. No, I wasn't impressed by the fashion statements being made (I wouldn't know a Prada from an Old Navy in most cases.) but I liked the "corporate politics" angle and was anxious to see what Ilsa Fisher would do, having only seen her in "the Wedding Crashers" and remembering her acting there as being more sexual than character building. In this film she reminded me of Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones Diary". Of course, there were other similarities here as well. The now requisite British (or in some cases Australian) male love interest (substitute Hugh Grant or Hugh Jackman) in "Confessions" is played by Hugh Dancy.
As a summer movie this does okay. It's not great art but a fun flick. The bonus features are not much. They are short.
It'll be interesting to see where Fisher's career goes next!
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
Mixed feelings
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is a cute, fairly mindless way to pass an hour and a half. The movie was enjoyable for the most part. My only big gripe is how little it actually tied in with the book. Most of the major events from the book have been altered quite a bit. The book I loved, the movie was OK.