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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. Based on the novel "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella.
Isla Fisher: Rebecca Bloomwood
P.J. Hogan may be responsible for the refreshingly grim atmosphere of 2003 offering Peter Pan that tried to take away the timeless tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up away from its heavily romanticized robust roots, yet the ample book origins of Confessions of a Shopaholic, his latest film about a woman who wouldn't grow out of an excessive materialistic folly, is as substantial and as memorable as a flicker of a candle. Based from Sophie Kinsella's series of uber-popular books, this hybrid of The Devil Wears Prada and Sex and the City has all the profoundness one can expect from a Jerry Bruckheimer-funded project and a hypocritical underlying theme on anti-consumerism despite the extravaganza that's shown to us.
For a romantic comedy to remain in its genre, there are certain boundaries that it mustn't wrong. So we really can't begrudge such a film for playing it safe and Confessions of a Shopaholic is successful at that. Our financially naive protagonist inadvertently finds her calling while awaiting what she feels she's always longed for, but her addictions 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.
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 finding yourself story, which has the truth come out eventually, 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 satisfactory. 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, charismatic and similar 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 field of foreboding romantic finding oneself genres.
Like last year's How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, Confessions of a Shopaholic revolves around the same humorous elements that made the far superior, serious executed story films of the 80s, Big and Working Girl successful: an open-minded boss who's willing to risk hiring an under qualified (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 head on, this fluffy, flamboyant romantic comedy manages to entertain unexpectedly.
7/10
