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CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman Kristin Scott Thomas, Julie Haggerty and John Lithgow.

Directed by: P.J. Hogan

Rated PG for some mild language and thematic elements

By John Delia

It may be a chick flick, but Confessions of a Shopaholic is also a great date film, as long as the male half keeps his credit card at home. I found the film fun to watch, especially the great CGI with the Mannequins. If you are a woman, have little shopping resistances, and heavy credit card debt, there are a lot of lessons to learn here.
Rebecca Bloomwood (Fisher) has been running from debt collectors for some time, especially since she cannot seem to avoid a department store window. If and item is by a top designer and on sale, she just has to have it. One thing is wrong with this picture; she doesn’t have the job of her dreams to afford her sprees. Always wanting to write for a top fashion magazine, Rebecca finally gets an opportunity for an interview with the editor. On her way to the interview she sees a green scarf on sale and after a lot of finagling, she gets it, but the stop over causes her to miss her one big opportunity. Down and out, someone tips her off that a business magazine owned by the same company is looking for someone. Rebecca realizes if she gets this job she can work her way up to her dream. When she finds out that part of the finagling involved lying to her new editor (Dancy), many more fibs lead her into some very funny situations.
I like Isla Fisher, actually she reminds me of one of my favorite actresses, Amy Adams (Enchanted, Doubt). Isla gives an impressive performance as the out-of-control shopaholic, making the character believable, interesting and in a way heroic (to many women). I loved the scene where Rebecca fights over a pair of Pravda boots and another where she has to talk her way out of a Finnish conversation. But she shines most when everything comes crashing down around her and she has to try to pick up the pieces.
In support, Dancy makes a great managing editor for the business magazine. His intuition on hiring Rebecca slowly changes into second thoughts after a snafu that puts a dim light on his publication. And Ritter as Rebecca’s best friend provides some hilarious interaction when she has to deal with Rebecca’s lack of cash.
Direction by Hogan is pinpoint perfect, getting his characters to pull off the kind of comedy that makes you feel good. I have to admit, I’m not a lover of chick flicks, but this one had a great premise and at last something for the males to LAUGH at.
The film is rated PG for some mild language but should be ok for pre teens and mature youngsters.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Confessions is a good situation comedy that most all the family will like; at least the women for sure. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)