CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC
(US, 2009. d. P.J.Hogan)

Probably the most balanced review for this light romantic comedy would come from a person who is neither mean nor extravagant when they go shopping. Since this reviewer is a 'scroogeaholic', then spending 100 minutes with a young woman who can't say no to a dress, a bag, a pair of shoes, a scarf or any number of accessories and can put her head down with the best (or worst) of them stampeding the doors of a bargain sale, is not necessarily what I would choose to watch.

But, here it is in this age of fashion and Sex and the City and arriving during the credit crunch (and more sales!).

Since it has been directed by P.J.Hogan who has shown how he can make comedies about obsessed young woman that make you sit up and take notice (Muriel's Wedding, My Best Friend's Wedding), then one has high hopes.

The film is blessed with Isla Fisher who can do ditzy with intimations of sense (deep down admittedly, but possible). She has glided through life exhilarated by buying (and even imagines shop mannequins giving her advice or trying to entice her) but there comes a time. Debt collectors begin stalking. Credit cards are no longer valid. Cash is scarce. What is a temporarily-poor-middle-class-ambitious-writer-girl to do?
She can turn out an article intended for a fashion magazine and put it in the wrong envelope so that she is interviewed by a finance editor – who (fate, destiny, karma?) happened to give her the remaining money when she could not pay for a green scarf she coveted. Since she becomes a hit writer using day-by-day images to explain finance, she has to lead a double life of expertise and failure (even going to Shopaholics Anonymous meetings – and ruining member's resolutions). She falls out with her flatmate, wants to borrow money from her parents (John Goodman and Joan Cusack), pretends that the debt collector is a stalker. Then, of course, it all comes undone. But...

Hugh Dancy is in what used to be a Hugh Grant role. He has the charm – but, probably, more dramatic ability than Grant. Who should be cast as the elitist fashion arbiter and editor but Kristin Scott Thomas, with a mock French English accent and stealing the scenes she appears in. John Lithgow and Julie Hagerty also turn up, so there is a strong cast.

But, this is the kind of film that has its cake while it eats it. Shopaholicism is bad – but aren't the temptations wonderful!