BuzzSugar

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Worth Every Penny

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:30:21 PST

The irony of releasing a movie about shopping right as the nation's economy is flailing is not lost on many. Confessions of a Shopaholic could have probably gone in one of two ways: Exacerbating the general sense of frustration and helplessness, or providing us with a fun, satisfying escapist's jaunt. Thankfully, it's pure escapism - and not just because of the script, which is surprisingly tight, or the editing which makes the narrative clip along briskly, rarely dwelling in sentimentality. No, this movie is wonderful, happy escapism largely because of Isla Fisher in the role of Becky Bloomwood: Bumbling, adorable, joyous shopper extraordinaire.

Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a journalist with an intense shopping habit. Like a drug addict or alcoholic, she literally appears to have no restraint when it comes to spending money - even when she is thousands of dollars in debt. Her practical friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) tries to help her rethink her financial situation, but Becky's addiction runs deep and it's going to take a great deal to make her hit rock bottom. The stakes are raised when Becky ends up working at a financial magazine - with a dashing cutie of a boss, Luke (Hugh Dancy) - and receives acclaim for being able to explain money matters in layman's terms. But as she gains more fame, an ornery debt collector (Robert Stanton) is hot on her trail, harassing her about her debts and posing a threat to her new image as a sensible financial writer. You'll have to see the film (and I hope you do!) for all of the funny storylines, but for more of my take,

While I enjoyed Sophie Kinsella's novels as silly fluff, I wasn't always very sympathetic toward Becky, and at times I didn't even really like her. But it's impossible not to like Isla's Becky. Even when she's being ridiculous, even when you know full well that her debt crises are disturbingly stupid in comparison to the challenges facing families across the nation right this minute (and challenges they didn't willingly bring upon themselves, as Becky has) - still Becky earns our sympathy with her well-intentioned silliness and her big, teary eyes. Indeed, she is often endearingly naïve - but thankfully, she doesn't stay that way forever. In a scene in which Luke buys Becky a fan, she sifts through the fans with a childlike excitement, trying to decide on one. It's cute - she's so cute - but in this film, at last, childlike behavior has consequences when you're a grown woman. Contrary to what so many movies (particularly modern films aimed at a young female audience) would have us believe, women actually aren't children, and shouldn't be treated as such.

This is the most refreshing difference between this movie and others that are similarly billed - there is at least some recognition that shopping can be meaningless, or an indication of a deeper problem. That it can be a problem at all is a new and shocking concept for this kind of movie. In other similar films there's a smugness, or defiance about the idea of overspending (the kind that's far beyond just treating oneself occasionally), as though there's always a way to excuse it. Finally, here's a story that sheds a humorous light on it, showing how absurd and truly empty it can be.

What's more, there's way more love (and there's more to love) in this movie's "labels and love" theme. Becky earnestly and deeply loves to shop. She visibly enjoys it. Instead of just a montage of wedding dresses for the sole purpose of listing off a bunch of fancy names, there's Becky's lit-up face, her ecstasy at finding wonderful things and buying them. We see how outrageous this can be, instead of the actual suggestion that buying expensive stuff is something we should want to do all the time.

There is also the character of Becky's best friend, Suze, providing a sensible contrast to Becky's blithe ignorance of all things financial. Suze acts as the straight man in many ways, and I found myself grateful for a female voice of reason (and a strong, funny voice of reason, too - not that of the "unattractive," grumpy, manless friend, a device that might (maybe? Hopefully?) be retired for now). Not all women are psychopaths who would physically harm another woman to get a sale; look at the reasonable Suze. But Becky is that hysterical label-hungry woman at times and it's funny to watch. At long last, there is some self-awareness in this kind of story. It's satirical, and it's about damn time.

And still, even as we recognize that we're laughing at Becky's absurd hijinks and over-the-top addiction to the shopper's high, we can't disparage her. She's too damn lovable! Sure, she's materialistic, but she's also vibrantly warm, loyal and pulsing with a bright light. There's so much more to her than just the constant buying of stuff, and by the end of the movie, to our great satisfaction, she learns that, too.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

BuzzSugar's Must-Haves for February

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:30:00 PST

February is a big month here in entertainment-land, with both the Grammy Awards and the Oscars on the docket and this weekend's Super Bowl unleashing a new crop of commercials (not to mention a new Paula Abdul song) on the world. But I have my eye on plenty of other things, too. Want to see what I've got to have (and do, and see, and rent) this month? Just hit "Start."

Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter Sign On for Shopaholic

BuzzSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:32:16 PST

Hugh Dancy and Krysten Ritter have joined Isla Fisher for Confessions of a Shopaholic, the film adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's bestselling Shopaholic novels. Fisher will play the Shopaholic herself, Becky Bloomwood. The film version focuses on Becky, "a compulsive shopper in Manhattan up to her neck in debt who becomes a financial-advice columnist." Want to find out what Dancy and Ritter have to do with it? Just

Dancy will play the editor of the financial magazine where Becky works and Ritter has nabbed the role of Becky's best friend.

Dancy (a.k.a. Claire Danes' boyfriend) was last seen as the completely adorable Grigg in The Jane Austen Book Club as well as the lovestruck Buddy in Evening. Ritter appears in the upcoming 27 Dresses.

Still no word on who will play the handsome Luke Brandon. Who do you think would fit this role best?

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It's Official: Isla Fisher Will Play Becky in Shopaholic!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:15:50 PDT

Well, the many of you who proposed that Isla Fisher would make a good Becky Bloomwood in the Shopaholic movie were spot-on with your casting. This was rumored to be true for some time, but now it's official: Isla Fisher will play Becky in the movie!

Jerry Bruckheimer will produce and P.J. Hogan (Muriel's Wedding, My Best Friend's Wedding, Peter Pan) will direct. Apparently the script version "centers on a compulsive shopper in Manhattan up to her neck in debt who ironically becomes a financial advice columnist."

To me, this makes perfect sense. Becky strikes me as funny, silly and adorable - but also smart. I think Isla Fisher can play all of these things with aplomb. Production will begin in January, and the name of the movie will be The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic. I can't wait to see what Isla does with this part!

What do you think of Isla as Becky Bloomwood? And who should round out the rest of the cast? Who should play Becky's man Luke and her best friend Suze?

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Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:00:31 PDT

Exciting news of the week: Sophie Kinsella's novel Confessions of a Shopaholic will be made into a movie.
Speaking of excitement, I got up close to John Krasinski so check out my interview with him. I also recently talked to Rose Byrne and she's cool, too.
Now that you know the differences between the two movies Reservation Road and Revolutionary Road, check out the trailer for Reservation Road.
I'm weighing in on the Emmy nominations all month. This week I mull over the nominations for Supporting Actor in a Comedy and Supporting Actress in a Comedy.
Backstreet's back... um, all right. Take a listen to their new single "Inconsolable" and tell me what you think.
Rumor has it Kristen Bell might guest star on "Lost" next season.
So many trailers, so little time. Check out Reese Witherspoon in the thrilling Rendition, scare yourself with the trailer for Halloween, and then have your heartstrings pulled by The Kite Runner.
There is an album of music from "Flight of the Concords" and you can hear that album online right now.
If you could recast Sixteen Candles, which actors would you choose?

Shopaholic Makes a Movie

BuzzSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:15:09 PDT

Given the success of Bridget Jones' Diary and any number of other "chick flicks" based on chick lit, I'm surprised it's taken this long to hear news about a movie based on the Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series. But alas, now the time has come for a film all about Becky Bloomwood and her wacky adventures. ComingSoon reports:

P.J. Hogan (Peter Pan, My Best Friend's Wedding) will direct Confessions of a Shopaholic, an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Sophie Kinsella. Jerry Bruckheimer will produce.

Shooting begins this November so I'll be on the lookout for upcoming casting news. Who do you think should play Miss Shopaholic herself, Becky Bloomwood?

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