Confessions of a Shopaholic [DVD]

I absolutely love the confessions books and I think that is why the film was a bit of a let down. Although Isla Fisher does a great job, she just isn't Becky me (can't really blame the film makers though) one big criticism is that the film is set in America and Becky isn't English, she's American, I think this is a major mistake. They have change a few bits of the story around and if you've read the books your'll be shouting at the screen. Having said that it's still a good film which is enjoyable and easy to watch.

I liked the book (even though it is a little fluffy at times) enormously, as indeed I have enjoyed the rest of the series by Sophie Kinsella.

However, this is a pathetic attempt to make the main characters Americans (with the exception of Luke) living in New York (so how are they going to make Shopaholic Abroad?) using actresses who couldn't even act their way out of a (hand)bag.

Even Kristin Scott Thomas, a wonderful actress, looks pained at times, and fails to save this film from the rubbish dump of my collection of films.

This was such a disappointment that I felt I had to warn others not to see it! I love the Shopaholic series and whilst Becky in the books is irresponsible and flighty, she genuinely seems to have an addiction, a serious problem which affects her family, friends and job. There is a level of desperation in how she deals with her situation and the reader fels sorry for her predicament.

What is wrong with the film? Too many things to describe all but I will have a stab:

Setting: As other reviewers have mentioned, the book is English. Becky shops at Boots and goes home to Little Oxshott to see her supportive and well meaning parents. There is a lot of humour between the older characters particularly her mum and Janice from next door. Janice and Martin - important characters for the arc of the first book and present throughout the series - are not in this film at all. The actors who play Becky's parents in the film are awful (probably too young to be Becky's parents) and they live in New Jersey. Why? If a film is transplanted elsewhere, the reason should be something other than because-Americans-don't-understand-how-the-English-speak. The drabness of the scenery is a shame and a lot of the humour is removed from the start. Also an excuse to cue Americanised sentiment along the lines of "If the American economy is in millions of dollars of debt, it isn't that bad.." or some vomit-inducing nonsense. Especially when they COULD have used this as a cautionary tale linked to the credit crunch.

Story - the film merges the plot of the two books - so instead of a well rounded plot, there is a mishmash of ideas thrown together. It's amazing that so many bad plot devices got in here. Why did they make Derek Smeath an evil one dimensional debt collector? He was a kindly but firm bank account manager just trying to get her to discuss her finances and reduce her overdraft. Why make Becky repay him in small change? This makes Becky look petty and not particularly likeable. The horrendous shopping anonymous made me shudder, it was so cliched and pointless. As did Kristin Scott Thomas (normally very good) Cruella de Ville style character with her awful french accent (and she lives in France, shame on her).

Suze - one of the many characters whose role and personality was lobotomised for the film. In the book Suze is a wealthy lovable friend who is firm with Becky but indulgent. In the film she is miserable, screechy pseudo friend who marries Tarkie (her cousin or not - never explained here) who makes up excuses along with Becky to avoid the evil debt collector - as I write this, I can't believe how ridiculous it sounds. Overacted by the charmless Ritter, it's even worse.

Luke - ok, so he's not the most fleshed out of the characters, but at least he has his own mind, business and sense of humour when he meets Becky. The cardboard cut out - why English when no one else is?? - which Becky falls in love (?) with seems so bland, it's surprising she notices him.

Are there any good points? If the plot, script and direction had been better, I think Isla Fisher would have made a good Becky - she is kooky enough to pull it off. The actress who played Alicia managed to encapsulate her perfectly - but as she is supposed to be a one dimensional character, is this an achievement?

If you liked the books at all, please steer clear. Such a good idea truly wasted. I really hope they redo this properly and shoot the person who allowed this travesty to be greenlit.