MOVIE REVIEW - Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Isla Fisher is certainly lovely as Becky in the new movie Confessions Of A Shopaholic new this week. But beware, there is trouble in shopping paradise.

Based on a tell all book a year or two ago, COAS is the story of a young, single woman who quite frankly is addicted to shopping and all the bling that goes with it. Becky spends money she doesn't have on things she doesn't need while ringing up the credit card bills. She is actually very relateable for many young women, who "suffer" the same addiction.

Becky is a young journalist, who lands a job at a magazine called Successful Saver, and becomes an instant hero when her articles on saving and shopping go international. Ironic since she's about 20 grand in the tank with debt. Will she be exposed? Will the debt collectors find her? Will this movie develop a second joke?

That's the trouble here, there is one joke in COAS, and that's it. It tries real hard to come up with another one, but fails. The joke is, she spends too much money, and goes to great lengths to justify her behavior. - Period. The movie trots out other big name stars too to try to give it a second joke, John Goodman, Joan Cusack, John Lithgow, Julie Hagerty, and others, but it is what it is. A two hour telling of the same joke.

Isla Fisher has a huge role here, and is asked to do the impossible. Be really funny for two hours, and truth is, not many can. Her character was designed to be a walking, talking punchline, and it doesn't work. We've seen this character 1,000 times before. The over the top, lovable, pretty, single girl against the the big city. She gives it a go, but they asked too much. I really have liked her in the past in other smaller roles, but I'm thinking she is a better side dish, than main course. She can be very funny, and is at times here.

To be fair, this movie really doesn't talk to me. I don't share her values or her lack of respect for money. But it is going to talk to many young people that are in, or are nearing the same boat. There are some laughs here from Fisher, and there will be some who will think this is the funniest movie of the young year so far. And that's the best thing about movies, there is something for everyone at one time or another.

Footnote too. I have not read the book, but this movie has the look that the book could be so much better than an adapted movie. Sometimes the transition just doesn't work. The story overall may be decent, but making it entertaining on the big screen? Tough to do sometimes.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic. Overall...in need of immediate treatment.