I have a crush on Isla Fisher, the standout of "Wedding Crashers".
I really dig director P.J. Hogan's resume.
Sadly, they have both let me down with their latest: "Confessions of a Shopaholic".
Charming New Yorker Rebecca Bloomwood is an out-of-control spender/fashionista, so it's a bit ironic when she lands a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine, and she becomes an instant celebrity.
The problems with this film (while there are many) really come down to the following: the PG rating and a weak script.
The PG rating shouldn't be a burden, but because the script is weak to begin with, it means there is nothing that pushes the envelope in the comedy department.
Instead, jokes are hammered into the ground over and over. I hated seeing how many ways Fisher's character would conceal her debt and shopping habits from her frugal boss. It was painfully hard to watch.
Director P.J. Hogan has given audiences plenty of good films. I'm thinking "Peter Pan", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Muriel's Wedding". The guy seems to have a decent history of a good judgment calling. Which makes me wonder why even decided to be a part of this project.
Maybe he liked the film's somewhat interesting way to address a growing problem? Just maybe?
While the film does an OKAY job of trying to make its point about our country's current financial situation, and how we as a country have maxed ourselves out, it still is nothing that we don't already know. There is no interesting insight into the problem.
I guess I should be looking else where than Hollywood movies for insight into the economy. Ha-Ha.
In the end, while I wish this film was better, spending almost 2 hours looking at Isla Fisher is not a bad thing.
2 buckets.
