It has long been known that the fair sex is often inclined to deal with stress with the help of chocolate and shopping. After all, choosing a new thing, a woman subconsciously hopes with her help to bring something new into her life. Unfortunately, our women rarely can afford to really go shopping while shopping, due to high prices and low salaries. Therefore, in the CIS, such a phenomenon as oniomania (shopaholism) is not so common. But in wealthy countries, it has become a real disaster. Because of this ailment, people not only get into excessive debts, but also often destroy their family and social life.
Not one book was written about the problem of oniomania, but in 2009, Paul John Hogan shot the comedy "Shopaholic" about it. The film on the example of the main character showed what consequences can lead to an irrepressible thirst for shopping. Thanks to the playful tone of the picture, as well as the excellent acting, this tape has collected more than $ 100 million at the box office.
The movie âShopaholicâ (Confessions of a Shopaholic)
According to the plot, Rebecca Bloomwood has been living in New York for some time, earning a living by writing articles for a gardening magazine. However, escaping from the care of her mother, always saving on everything, the girl begins to buy beautiful, but often very expensive things.
Over time, she acquired a huge amount of credit cards, and one day it turns out that her debt on them is more than 16 thousand dollars. In addition to this, the publication in which Rebecca worked is closed and she is left without a livelihood.
Fortunately for her, the young and gullible editor of the magazine âSuccessful Savingsâ takes her to her work, and the shopaholic hiding from the collectors begins to generously give out tips on the rational use of money.
Throughout the whole picture, the heroine not only tries to pay off debts and cope with her dependence, but also hopes not to lose the love and trust of loved ones. At the end of the picture, the girl manages to overcome her "demons" and find happiness.
Starring Isla Fisher
"Shopaholic" was far from the first known project in which the actress participated.
She became famous worldwide for the role of Shaggy's girlfriend in the movie Scooby-Doo. After there were âUninvited guestsâ, âI will marry the first comer,â âYes, no, probably,â and several other less well-known projects.
Despite the fact that before the âShopaholicâ, Ayla was already a popular actress, it was starting from this picture that she secured her star status. Later, Fisher received the main roles in such projects as âThe Illusion of Deceptionâ, âThe Great Gatsbyâ, âBachelorsâ and âCatch Up with the Jonesesâ.
As for the heroine Isla Fisher in "Shopaholic", the actress admitted that in many ways she did not look like Rebecca. So, Isla not only does not follow fashion, but also does not like to go shopping, considering shopping a waste of time. Despite this, the actress managed to create in the tape the image of a touching girl, entangled in her own lies. Although it is clear to the audience from the first minutes of the picture that it is Rebecca herself who is guilty of the situation in which she fell, this heroine does not cause condemnation, but sympathy.
The main character performed by Hugh Dancy
The role of beloved Rebecca - the editor of "Successful Savings" Luke Brandon - was played by the British artist Hugh Dancy. For viewers, he is known for his paintings âIntimate Dictionaryâ, âKing Arthurâ, âEnchanted Ellaâ, âLife by Jane Austenâ, âEveningâ and âWithout Tantrum!â.
As a rule, Hugh plays the role of courageous, intelligent, worthy, but a few weak-character heroes. His character in the film âShopaholicâ was no exception. Hugh Dancy plays the offspring of rich and famous parents, who is trying to find his way in life. Coming to "Successful Savings", he tries to write an unsightly truth about the financial frauds of the leaders of well-known companies to help ordinary people. But it hurts him, and he eventually leaves the magazine, setting up his own publication.
In Rebecca, he is attracted to her sincerity, and even learning about the girlâs lies, he finds the strength to give her another chance.
Kristen Ritter as Susie Stewart
The best girlfriend of the protagonist is played by American fashion model and actress Kristen Ritter (Mona Lisa's Smile, Veronica Mars, 27 Weddings, Jessica Jones).
The heroine Ritter is an indigenous New Yorker with whom Rebecca rents an apartment. Susie is a true friend, she not only forgives Bloomwood her numerous rent debts, but also gives her good advice. Unfortunately, Rebecca rarely hears what her friend says, and gradually begins to deceive her too.
Susie is the exact opposite of Rebecca. She is more practical and does not have such a refined taste as a friend. Miss Stewart is also more fortunate in her personal life - she has a groom who supports her in everything and also helps Rebecca. A friendâs lies hurt Suzy, but she finds the strength to forgive her. The relationship of the girls is one of the most important storylines of the picture âShopaholicâ. Kristen Ritter, by the way, after this project starred with Isla Fisher in the film "Bachelors". In this tape, they also played girlfriends.
Joan Cusack as the mother of the main character
Despite the playful character, gently talks about the prerequisites for the appearance of oniomania in Rebecca tape "Shopaholic". The film shows how Jane Bloomwood, saving on everything and buying daughters from childhood good-looking but ugly things, became an involuntary reason for Rebecca becoming a shopaholic.
The role of a caring and loving, but somewhat stingy mother was played by the American actress Joan Cusack (âBusiness Girlâ, âAddams Family Valuesâ, âRunaway Brideâ, âKit Kittridge: The Mystery of the American Girlâ and others). It is interesting that in the film âIce Princessâ she also played a mother who for a long time did not want to understand her daughter's aspirations, but later was able to find a common language with her.
John Goodman - Rebecca Bloomwood's father
Other famous artists also appeared in the film "Shopaholic". These actors have made a significant contribution to the success of the project.
One of these artists was John Goodman, known throughout the world for his role as Fred Flintstone. His character in âShopaholicâ is Graham Bloomwood. This is a kind-hearted man who perfectly sees the shortcomings of both his wife and daughter. At the same time, Fred sincerely loves both and is ready for everything for them.
Other project actors
In addition to the above, other famous people starred in the film "Shopaholic". These actors are: Kristin Scott Thomas (editor of Allet Magazine, whose approval Madame Rebecca wanted to get), Leslie Bibb (rival of the main character on both the professional and personal front).
It is worth noting the presence in the picture also of Fred Armisen, who played the boss of Luke - Ryan Koenig. Despite a very modest filmography, viewers will definitely remember him as an Italian pervert from the Eurotour painting.
Entertaining facts
- Confessions of a Shopaholic was shot based on two books by American writer Sophie Kinsella: The Secret World of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic in Manhattan.
- Despite the good box office fees, she received very low marks (38 out of 100 on Metacritic and 25 out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes) Shopaholic tape. At the same time, the actors were called the best that was in the picture. The game of Isla Fisher was especially praised.
- This picture has 2 slogans: "All she wanted was a small loan" and "This is not being treated ...".
It has been several years since the movie âShopaholicâ was released. The actors who played in it have long been removed in other projects, and the audience switched to new pictures, since thousands come out annually. Despite not very enthusiastic reviews from critics and a rather naive and predictable plot, the tape turned out to be very worthy and instructive in its own way, which is the main merit of the main actors: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack and the incomparable John Goodman.