by Carla Morton
"How was it?" My friends asked who knew I was going to the screening of “Confessions of a Shopaholic” (Thanks to the people at www.Shopittome.com)
Well??? What can I say? I usually enjoy these light fun, easy no-brainer movies. Some of my favorites include “The Devil Wears Prada”, “13 going on 30” and “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”. Despite poor reviews, I also enjoyed “He’s Just Not that In to You,” which came out in theaters last week. But this one felt well… Vapid.
Isla Fisher was cute as Shopaholic, Rebecca Bloomwood. Like the character Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” her outfits were entertaining but over the top. Unlike Carrie however, who is self reflective and endearing I found nothing interesting about her character. Absolutely nothing. I mean, as I think about it, all of the movies I mention above include fun, stylishly dressed girls who are going through some sort of personal transformation and growth. So while the movies are light and fun, they all pulled me in to the story with deeper meaning.
While Rebecca appears to be going through some personal growth, I never quite believed it. Even while she is developing a relationship with a handsome and intelligent British man (played by the darling Hugh Dancy), I didn’t feel an ounce of chemistry between them. Even in the last scene, when he proves his love for her, she is still distracted (during a KISS nonetheless!) by a shiny pair of shoes in a department store window. Gross.
Thank God I am not a Shopaholic, In fact, some might be surprised to hear that I actually don’t like to shop. (Continued below...)
What goes through my mind when I shop is quite the opposite of what Miss Bloomwood is thinking:
I think:
- Do I really need this? (Hot Pink Boa)
- How often will I wear it? (Besides New Years Eve)
- How soon will it go out of style? (Jackets with Short Puffy Sleeves)
- Is it flattering to my figure? (Do I look like a Cow?)
- Is it appropriate for my age? (Mid-drift bearing halter top)
- Does it make me look like I am trying to look too young? (i.e., “Housewives of Orange County or “Cougar”)
- Do I have something else in my closet just like it? (black skirts and pants)
- Can I afford it? ( Am I making a paycheck?)
Certainly, I like nice things and a new article of clothing can be exciting, but shopping has never defined who I am, relieved any kind of emotional vacancy, made me late for a meeting, or put me into credit card debt.
Phew.
I’d wait for this movie to come out in video and watch it on a night when you are quietly working on another project at the same time.