The film “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is a cheesy predictable cookie cutter chick-flick. However even with those qualities or perhaps because of them it surpassed expectations. Although nothing exceptional the film kept a steady pace of humor sweetness and even a thematic message for a culture obsessed with consumerism and materialism.
The film follows the insanely ditsy character of Rebekah (Isla Fisher “Wedding Crashers”) a young woman enthralled with fashion and shopping who defines herself by her material possessions. However she soon loses her job and realizes due to her excessive addiction to shopping she is $16000 in debt. It is only then that she learns the lessons of financial responsibility and what it means to be a confident responsible human being.
The film however has many faults that need be mentioned. It is often extraordinarily random and immature and drags on in occasionally nonsensical and incongruous scenes.
Furthermore the film is completely unrealistic in nearly every aspect. The love story is implausible the drama is over-the-top and sometimes overly dramatic the juvenile motives behind the characters’ actions are silly and ridiculous. For example the scene in which Rebekah hides within a fashion wardrobe in a restricted area so that she can retrieve a rather irrelevant letter.
However this is how the film is supposed to be. But somehow it is also inexplicably charming and sweet. It is due to the fantastic acting done by Isla Fisher who portrays a character so unbelievably stupid and hilarious that one cannot help but feel affection towards her character.
In the course of the film Rebekah attempts to find a new job at a fashion magazine. However she starts at the lower separate branch of the company: the financial sector. Rebekah has absolutely no idea what she is doing but holds enough charm to wiggle her way into the job. Once there she uses the only concept she knows in order to explain finance – shopping. She utilizes her knowledge of fashion to make metaphors for the business and finance world. And because of her simple-minded ditsy self she is able to connect with the average person. She can explain finance in a way that normal people can comprehend and thus becomes a small celebrity within the financial sector.
This film does not succeed due to its plot but instead by the loveable atmosphere and humorous moments dispersed throughout the movie. In one scene Rebekah spends hours in the bookstore reading “Finance for Dummies because she cannot even afford to buy the book. And ironically, she is the person who is advising others in finance.
The storyline’s portrayal of the dangers of any matter of addiction, no matter how seemingly irrelevant, is something to be applauded. In the end, Rebekah’s obsession almost destroys her. However, with the help of her boss and romantic interest, Luke (Hugh Dancy), she realizes she cannot be dependent on clothes alone to define her as a person. In one surprisingly dramatic scene, Rebekah breaks down and confesses her insecurities and the pain and unhappiness in the world, and how she finds a reprieve in her addiction to shopping.
Confessions of a Shopaholic” is nothing extraordinary. However it still contains enough charm to recommend it to those who gravitate towards flirty films. It is an affable funny and an insightful look at one woman who like everyone else must learn to overcome her addictions and find peace within herself – although such a journey is usually not as silly.