SofaChip’s Fashionable “Confessions of a Shopaholic” DVD Review

Picture from isla-fisher.org

When a girl with a serious shopping addiction (and serious debt to match) takes a job at a financial magazine as a necessary step towards working at a fashion magazine – did you really think things were going to go smoothly? No? Good! Confessions of a Shopaholic is the engaging and entertaining journey of Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) as she takes that very journey. She may not have a yellow brick road to lead the way, but she’s certain to have a pair of ruby red stilettos somewhere.

Isla Fisher is perfectly cast as the bubbly Rebecca Bloomwood. Fischer has talent that you sit up and notice the way Bloomwood takes note of a NYC sample. While the comedic ‘walking into a glass door’ moment has been done more than the little black dress, her take on it in the movie is fresh and adorable. Constantly compelling, without her the movie could have been a ‘pass’.

Just a little light shopping?

Krysten Ritter (a favorite of mine from seeing her on Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars) plays the requisite bestie to Bloomwood, and Ritter plays ‘quirky best friend’ with the best of them (the best, imho, being actress Judy Greer).

Within this story of how a materialistic girl becomes empowered, there is a love story. The best part? The man in question (Hugh Dancy) is British! That means he comes with an accent and automatic charm points (they’re like his accessories). As if that wasn’t overload, the film illustrates that this man can dance. Are you in love yet? I’m not sure that any actual employer would be as unfailingly supportive as Dancy’s character proves to be for Rebecca Bloomwood, but that’s why this is an optimistic movie.

There is well played tension for the romantic storyline between Luke (Dancy) and Rebecca. What’s more, I didn’t just expect for them to end up together, I felt happy when they did.

Picture from isla-fisher.org

Leslie Bibb was given the role of ‘Miss Perfect’. With her heinous Cleopatra haircut (who advised her on this? – certainly not Ken Paves!), I didn’t feel like this role was made all it could be with this actress. Still, this is a minor grievance. Other supporting cast members that pepper this movie included the wonderful Joan Cusack, Kristin Scott Thomas, John Lithgow, and Fred Armisen,

Two uncredited-but-vital roles in the film are: Isla Fischer’s hair, and Isla Fisher’s wardrobe. Seriously! I know, I know – it’s just like how Sarah Jessica Parker passionately extols how NYC was a character in Sex and the City. But Fischer’s hair is always en pointe, contributing to the appeal of every scene she’s in. You can tell that real attention was paid to making her hair stand out on the screen.

Obsession in action! Do you NEED that?

In addition to that, you can’t have a movie about a girl who loves to shop without showing off her skills as a savvy shopper. The movie succeeded in giving her an envy-inducing ability to accessorize some fabulous frocks. I believe the fashionable femmes on the Go Fug Yourself blog would approve of her colorful and creative style.

The DVD extras aren’t large in quantity, but they make for a low-calorie and sufficiently satisfying dessert – like sorbet. They are as follows:
- Stuck With Each Other Music Video by Shonelle featuring Akon (A happy song of which to apply makeup to!)
- Bloopers of a Shopaholic (Which showcases the natural improv talent and good nature of the likes of Fischer, Ritter, Cusack. Being on this set must have been fun. Watching Fischer making posh bunny ears in a mirror is priceless.)
- Deleted Scenes from Confessions of a Shopaholic (There’s only four – but the first of which is so cute I wish it had been in the movie.)
- A digital copy of the film.

Picture from isla-fisher.org

I recently watched Bride Wars (something I regret ever putting on my ever-expanding Netflix que) and realized that not all chick flick movies leave me feeling happy. Some are downright painful to endure watching. But Confessions of a Shopaholic can stand up among the best of other classic chick flicks, like Legally Blonde, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or 13 Going on 30.

This is the type of movie I love to add to my DVD collection because it’s fun and you can put it on anytime. Just like the shoes, purses, and necklaces that Bloomwood is drawn to as a shopaholic, this movie is shiny, bright, and something you’ll want (nay – need!) to own.

The Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD is available to purchase on 6/23.

Too many shoes? Never! Well...maybe.

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