predictable, but cute
Added 2/8/2010
I watched this movie one afternoon after work. I have never read the book but may have to now, as I heard it is very different. I wanted to slap Becks up-side her head for being such a flighty person who bordered on a hoarder and wouldn't listen to Suze, who was trying to seriously help her out. She had shopping blackouts when she didn't remember buying things, ducked out of the Shopaholic meetings (nice cameo by John Salley BTW), and kept her folks in the dark. Scary how many people really are in a lot of debt because they can't stop, but I really couldn't identify with this one (mostly because I am a cheap-o and not fashion conscious). It is just a breezy, romantic comedy, not too much to think about. It is about 1:50 long, nice for a rainy day when the hubby is not around.
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A shopaholic's review: Slapstick comedy, yet very realistic portrayal of an addiction
Added 2/4/2010
I didn't have high expectations for this movie, but I was curious about it because I personally struggle with compulsive spending. I didn't even know it was based on a book series... but I'll definitely be reading those now that I know! Especially since virtually everyone thinks the books are better.
The movie is slapstick comedy (like "I Love Lucy") with some deeper moments sprinkled here and there to bring it back to planet Earth. The plot is totally unrealistic and WAY over-the-top, but often laugh-out-loud funny. And for me personally, it was also meaningful because of the subject matter.
I was very impressed with how accurately the movie depicted spending addictions, credit cards, and debt collectors. It's clear that many of the negative reviews were written by people unfamiliar with the realities of compulsive debting and spending.
Some reviewers derided her spending problem as being caused by an underlying character defect which made it impossible for them to want to 'root' for her. But it's an addiction akin to an alcohol or food addiction. It's not simply selfishness or airheadedness; it can be present in people who are otherwise very giving, caring and level-headed (as apparently the books show better than the movie). The feelings she and the other overspenders depict, and describe in their meetings, are very real... though at times lampooned in the movie for the comedic value (which I found funny and not offensive at all; in fact, it felt good to be able to laugh about it). The back-and-forth conversations she had with herself about 'to buy or not to buy' were hauntingly familiar. "I need these gloves because... it's winter, and I have hands! Yes!"
Many reviews also felt the debt collector was the one who was "standing up for what's right" and didn't like it that he was portrayed as being a jerk. I've never personally been a big credit card user; my overspending is with cash. But we've had some past medical debts haunt us, and I've read a lot about debt and credit, including Debtor's Anonymous literature. In reality, collection agencies are extremely aggressive and can be very underhanded. They do exactly what the guy tells his colleague on the phone to do to be effective in getting money to get the commission. Yes, they do work on commission, and yes, they will pressure and manipulate and lie to try to collect. They will call several times daily unless they receive a written notice to stop, after which legally they have to stop. (I am not sure, though, that they'd ever actually show up at your door.)
So it's not as black and white as people might think who don't have experience or knowledge of the issue.
As for the thought-provoking moments... Most of all, it was the very first scene which really got to me. I actually had to pause the movie and go cry! It's a scene from Becky's childhood, and the camera pans over all these beautiful girls' shoes being tried on at a store... and then it stops at a pair of feet in ugly brown mary jane/clog shoes, which the other girls laugh at and which are the ones her mom gets for her. I had almost that EXACT experience as a girl and the shoes looked almost exactly like that. And the expression on her face while the little girls laughed... wow, it brought me right back even though it's been almost 30 years. I was in 6th grade, but I still remember very clearly my feelings about it. It also touched on something that is pointed out in Debtors Anonymous: that being overly miserly with money (as Becky's mom was) is not good either and can lead to feelings of deprivation that one may try to overcome by overspending.
The other thing that really got to me is near the end, when the parents offer to sell something to help their daughter get out of debt. She tells them not to sell it because the item "totally defines you." Her father says something to the effect of, "The only thing that defines me is you and your mom." Compulsive spenders tend to feel that they are not whole or complete without being able to get the things they want. Her father's reply captures the healthy mentality: that material things do NOT define us.
Overall, this movie for me was a mixture of some laugh-out-loud moments, some rolling my eyes 'yea right' moments, and some deeper thought-provoking moments. I don't think most people would find it thought-provoking unless they struggle with overspending. But if they do, this movie is good therapy.
To close, I want to share an excerpt from the 4-star review by Lori M. Reece because she is spot on (I hope it's OK to do this):
"Many reviewers seem to feel as though the movie glorifies materialism. I feel that the movie's actual moral is to ultimately show just how unimportant material possessions actually are. This, if you ask me, is quite reassuring in these trying economic times. I'd like to end this review by reminding you that most movies, especially comedies like this one, are not meant to be taken seriously. They are meant to provide the viewer with mindless fun. So, those of you who are down on this one due to the present economic situation need to take a chill pill and just enjoy."
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Confessions from a Viewer: I didn't like it
Added 2/4/2010
I like to shop. There is nothing quite like going to a store (mostly a bookstore, I've noticed) and glancing at the shelves, seeing all the nice items neatly arranged, smelling the new purchase smell, holding the bags, glossing over your packages in the car...well, I think you get the picture. So when this movie came out, I felt an immediate connection. I wanted to see it.
Becky Bloomwood is like me. She was raised with an uber thrifty mother, who bought clothes and shoes to last, not to look good and whose religion was saving. But now that Becky's an adult, she wants new, shiny...name brand. Unfortunately, that has gotten her into trouble. Sixteen thousand dollars worth of credit debt trouble, to be exact. It really gets bad when her garden magazine goes under. So she is forced to take a job at Successful Savings to make ends meet. There she meets editor, Luke Brandon...and things get challenging as she has to conceal her personal finances at the magazine.
Please Note: Spoilers may appear.
The actors are great. Isla Fisher is superb as young Becky, Krysten Ritter marvelous as Suze, Becky's best friend, and Hugh Dancy is always a delight to see. Joan Cusack is wonderful as the mother (she almost reminds me of my mom!) and John Goodman is excellent as the father (again, reminds me of my dad!).
Even the basic plot is intriguing. In this day and age, of credit cards, we have a huge problem with credit card debt, of wanting what we can't afford.
But the problems I had with this movie, and the ones that force the rating down so low, are how stupid the writers and directors must believe us viewers to be. No interview is conducted in such a slipshod manner! Becky would have no hope of being hired if she acted like the idiot she did upon meeting Luke Brandon the first time! And getting hired within three minutes of Luke reading her "amazing" article about shoes? "As if!" Speaking of writing, The Girl in the Green Scarf's articles supposedly so captivating are nothing to brag home to. All it is are a few pieces written with terrible similes: "Store cards are like cashmere coats". Geesh, if this is all one have to do in order to be a lauded writer at a respectable financial magazine, then everyone should be contributing to magazines! Let's face it, finances are finances, whether concealed in cashmere coats or platinum shoes. No fancifying it is going to make it magically appealing for this "whole new demographic".
Becky makes a big deal about hiding the scarf she bought with the money she scammed off Luke...only, it is silly to assume he would immediately know she bought that scarf with his (hard-earned) money. What if she had it in her bag? Her being forced to wait tables at the ball? Ludicrous. The shopaholics anonymous sessions? Insulting. The people there were a bunch of morons, and the leader of the group was completely off her rocker, doing something that was completely inappropriate by forcing Becky to sell her newly purchased clothes. The business trip to Miami? Cringe-worthy. No brand-new employee would be taken on a company trip like that! And turning down the offer to write at Alette, after spending the whole movie clawing for it? Aggravating!
I understand this wasn't meant to be a serious movie, but nonetheless, I don't like having my intelligence insulted while I try to relax and enjoy a film. Perhaps others can ignore the faults I couldn't; that's great. As for me, I give it 2 stars, and I feel that is more than reasonable.
Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*
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Very funny
Added 2/3/2010
I loved this movie. I originally saw it on cable and liked it so much that I had to own it so I could watch it whenever I wanted. A very funny movie to watch over and over.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Funny and cute, a perfect romantic comedy
Added 1/21/2010
Confessions of a Shopaholic has easily become one of my favorite romantic comedies of the decade. Being a huge fan of the series, I was anxious to see it brought on the big screen. And although a lot of it was changed, the movie itself feels like another chapter into Rebecca Bloomwood's life. Isla Fisher plays the role perfectly, and Hugh Dancy is irresistible. This is a film any fan of romcom's will enjoy.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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predictable, but cute
Added 2/8/2010
I watched this movie one afternoon after work. I have never read the book but may have to now, as I heard it is very different. I wanted to slap Becks up-side her head for being such a flighty person who bordered on a hoarder and wouldn't listen to Suze, who was trying to seriously help her out. She had shopping blackouts when she didn't remember buying things, ducked out of the Shopaholic meetings (nice cameo by John Salley BTW), and kept her folks in the dark. Scary how many people really are in a lot of debt because they can't stop, but I really couldn't identify with this one (mostly because I am a cheap-o and not fashion conscious). It is just a breezy, romantic comedy, not too much to think about. It is about 1:50 long, nice for a rainy day when the hubby is not around.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A shopaholic's review: Slapstick comedy, yet very realistic portrayal of an addiction
Added 2/4/2010
I didn't have high expectations for this movie, but I was curious about it because I personally struggle with compulsive spending. I didn't even know it was based on a book series... but I'll definitely be reading those now that I know! Especially since virtually everyone thinks the books are better.
The movie is slapstick comedy (like "I Love Lucy") with some deeper moments sprinkled here and there to bring it back to planet Earth. The plot is totally unrealistic and WAY over-the-top, but often laugh-out-loud funny. And for me personally, it was also meaningful because of the subject matter.
I was very impressed with how accurately the movie depicted spending addictions, credit cards, and debt collectors. It's clear that many of the negative reviews were written by people unfamiliar with the realities of compulsive debting and spending.
Some reviewers derided her spending problem as being caused by an underlying character defect which made it impossible for them to want to 'root' for her. But it's an addiction akin to an alcohol or food addiction. It's not simply selfishness or airheadedness; it can be present in people who are otherwise very giving, caring and level-headed (as apparently the books show better than the movie). The feelings she and the other overspenders depict, and describe in their meetings, are very real... though at times lampooned in the movie for the comedic value (which I found funny and not offensive at all; in fact, it felt good to be able to laugh about it). The back-and-forth conversations she had with herself about 'to buy or not to buy' were hauntingly familiar. "I need these gloves because... it's winter, and I have hands! Yes!"
Many reviews also felt the debt collector was the one who was "standing up for what's right" and didn't like it that he was portrayed as being a jerk. I've never personally been a big credit card user; my overspending is with cash. But we've had some past medical debts haunt us, and I've read a lot about debt and credit, including Debtor's Anonymous literature. In reality, collection agencies are extremely aggressive and can be very underhanded. They do exactly what the guy tells his colleague on the phone to do to be effective in getting money to get the commission. Yes, they do work on commission, and yes, they will pressure and manipulate and lie to try to collect. They will call several times daily unless they receive a written notice to stop, after which legally they have to stop. (I am not sure, though, that they'd ever actually show up at your door.)
So it's not as black and white as people might think who don't have experience or knowledge of the issue.
As for the thought-provoking moments... Most of all, it was the very first scene which really got to me. I actually had to pause the movie and go cry! It's a scene from Becky's childhood, and the camera pans over all these beautiful girls' shoes being tried on at a store... and then it stops at a pair of feet in ugly brown mary jane/clog shoes, which the other girls laugh at and which are the ones her mom gets for her. I had almost that EXACT experience as a girl and the shoes looked almost exactly like that. And the expression on her face while the little girls laughed... wow, it brought me right back even though it's been almost 30 years. I was in 6th grade, but I still remember very clearly my feelings about it. It also touched on something that is pointed out in Debtors Anonymous: that being overly miserly with money (as Becky's mom was) is not good either and can lead to feelings of deprivation that one may try to overcome by overspending.
The other thing that really got to me is near the end, when the parents offer to sell something to help their daughter get out of debt. She tells them not to sell it because the item "totally defines you." Her father says something to the effect of, "The only thing that defines me is you and your mom." Compulsive spenders tend to feel that they are not whole or complete without being able to get the things they want. Her father's reply captures the healthy mentality: that material things do NOT define us.
Overall, this movie for me was a mixture of some laugh-out-loud moments, some rolling my eyes 'yea right' moments, and some deeper thought-provoking moments. I don't think most people would find it thought-provoking unless they struggle with overspending. But if they do, this movie is good therapy.
To close, I want to share an excerpt from the 4-star review by Lori M. Reece because she is spot on (I hope it's OK to do this):
"Many reviewers seem to feel as though the movie glorifies materialism. I feel that the movie's actual moral is to ultimately show just how unimportant material possessions actually are. This, if you ask me, is quite reassuring in these trying economic times. I'd like to end this review by reminding you that most movies, especially comedies like this one, are not meant to be taken seriously. They are meant to provide the viewer with mindless fun. So, those of you who are down on this one due to the present economic situation need to take a chill pill and just enjoy."
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Confessions from a Viewer: I didn't like it
Added 2/4/2010
I like to shop. There is nothing quite like going to a store (mostly a bookstore, I've noticed) and glancing at the shelves, seeing all the nice items neatly arranged, smelling the new purchase smell, holding the bags, glossing over your packages in the car...well, I think you get the picture. So when this movie came out, I felt an immediate connection. I wanted to see it.
Becky Bloomwood is like me. She was raised with an uber thrifty mother, who bought clothes and shoes to last, not to look good and whose religion was saving. But now that Becky's an adult, she wants new, shiny...name brand. Unfortunately, that has gotten her into trouble. Sixteen thousand dollars worth of credit debt trouble, to be exact. It really gets bad when her garden magazine goes under. So she is forced to take a job at Successful Savings to make ends meet. There she meets editor, Luke Brandon...and things get challenging as she has to conceal her personal finances at the magazine.
Please Note: Spoilers may appear.
The actors are great. Isla Fisher is superb as young Becky, Krysten Ritter marvelous as Suze, Becky's best friend, and Hugh Dancy is always a delight to see. Joan Cusack is wonderful as the mother (she almost reminds me of my mom!) and John Goodman is excellent as the father (again, reminds me of my dad!).
Even the basic plot is intriguing. In this day and age, of credit cards, we have a huge problem with credit card debt, of wanting what we can't afford.
But the problems I had with this movie, and the ones that force the rating down so low, are how stupid the writers and directors must believe us viewers to be. No interview is conducted in such a slipshod manner! Becky would have no hope of being hired if she acted like the idiot she did upon meeting Luke Brandon the first time! And getting hired within three minutes of Luke reading her "amazing" article about shoes? "As if!" Speaking of writing, The Girl in the Green Scarf's articles supposedly so captivating are nothing to brag home to. All it is are a few pieces written with terrible similes: "Store cards are like cashmere coats". Geesh, if this is all one have to do in order to be a lauded writer at a respectable financial magazine, then everyone should be contributing to magazines! Let's face it, finances are finances, whether concealed in cashmere coats or platinum shoes. No fancifying it is going to make it magically appealing for this "whole new demographic".
Becky makes a big deal about hiding the scarf she bought with the money she scammed off Luke...only, it is silly to assume he would immediately know she bought that scarf with his (hard-earned) money. What if she had it in her bag? Her being forced to wait tables at the ball? Ludicrous. The shopaholics anonymous sessions? Insulting. The people there were a bunch of morons, and the leader of the group was completely off her rocker, doing something that was completely inappropriate by forcing Becky to sell her newly purchased clothes. The business trip to Miami? Cringe-worthy. No brand-new employee would be taken on a company trip like that! And turning down the offer to write at Alette, after spending the whole movie clawing for it? Aggravating!
I understand this wasn't meant to be a serious movie, but nonetheless, I don't like having my intelligence insulted while I try to relax and enjoy a film. Perhaps others can ignore the faults I couldn't; that's great. As for me, I give it 2 stars, and I feel that is more than reasonable.
Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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