Credit Crunch Couture: Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Believe it or not, the release of new romantic comedy 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' has stirred up some serious fiscal discussions. Some critics have branded it "distasteful" in the current economic climate, while others insist it is a timely tale of warning to people who are spending outside their means. Whatever the deeper messages in this latest cinematic offering, the movie's star Isla Fisher had one primary motivation: to make people laugh.

"Yes, this film does carry a message about consumption, but this is essentially a comedy," insists the Australian star.
Isla admits landing the role of Rebecca Bloomwood - a struggling journalist who is in serious debt because of her out of control shopping addiction - could have been a poisoned chalice because the character has already attracted fans all over the world.
Women everywhere couldn't help but identify with Sophie Kinsella's hit 'Shopaholic' books, which have sold an estimated 15 million copies to date. The series focuses on a girl who dreams of working for a fashion magazine and feels her life will be incomplete without the latest handbag, high heels or belt.

Isla was a huge fan of the books before she ever discussed appearing in the movie - but her affection for Rebecca only added to the growing expectation placed upon her shoulders to bring the ditzy fashionista to life on screen.

"When you are the lead in a movie you are more responsible for the tone of the film. There was also the added pressure of taking on such a beloved character," explains the 33-year-old beauty. "Rebecca really captured my imagination. She has this childlike lust for new things."

The role proved a good fit for Isla - who first found fame playing Shannon Reed on Australian TV soap 'Home and Away' in the mid 90s - as it allowed her to showcase her comic timing and an enthusiasm for making a fool out of herself. "How often do you read a comedy script with a woman in the lead, and she's actually a flawed, deluded character?" asks Isla. "And I was able to do physical comedy. It was a dream role." Some of the funniest scenes in the movie involve these two elements - most memorably Rebecca using a stiletto to remove a credit card from a block of ice, and when she tries to seduce the man of her dreams by performing a crazy fan dance.

Isla credits her fiance Sacha Baron Cohen for giving her the courage to audition for comedies and it seems she has found her niche following success in 'Wedding Crashers' and 'Definitely, Maybe'.

Although Isla fell in love with Rebecca, she struggled to share her one biggest passion: shopping. While Rebecca dreams of designer outfits, Isla admits she is pretty clueless when it comes to clothes. "We are so different," the red-haired actress explains, "I have never been a good shopper. I don't really enjoy it. I like to get in and get out with a purpose. It was a lot of fun and it's such a departure from what I wear in my everyday life."

Being a novice in the world of fashion proved no problem for Isla - the movie's bosses managed to bag one of the world's most renowned stylists, Patricia Field. With previous credits including 'Sex and the City' and 'The Devil Wears Prada', Patricia ensured Isla was always ahead in the fashion stakes. The legendary stylist worked closely with Isla to ensure she felt comfortable in the outlandish clothes. "I found Isla to be very flirty and fetching, with a twinkle in her eye," she says. "Rebecca is also a happy girl. Although she has a conflict with debt, she's essentially a positive person. The colourful costumes for Isla as Rebecca reflect those qualities."
Patricia has revealed she found many of Rebecca's outfits during a business trip to Japan - because the bright designs and small sizes were perfect for Isla's diminutive frame. Designer staples such as Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Gucci and

Christian Dior were also thrown into the mix to create Patricia's trademark collage styling technique.

Patricia was such an inspiration on the film set, she even helped Isla become more daring with her wardrobe choices. "I learned a lot from Patricia, she made me braver about wearing clothes," says Isla. "She is incredibly imaginative. She taught me things don't always have to match."

Isla was also impressed by her dashing co-star Hugh Dancy, who plays Rebecca's editor Luke Brandon. In the movie, Rebecca ironically ends up working for a finance magazine even though she is being chased by a debt collector after maxing out her mountain of credit cards. Despite a shaky start as a financial journalist, Rebecca soon learns to draw upon what she knows best - in most cases high heels - to get her message across. As her column starts to attract fans, Rebecca also wins Luke's respect - and his affections.

Hugh admits arriving on the sprawling movie set felt like a "space launch". However, after getting over his initial nerves, the British heartthrob - who is engaged to American actress Claire Danes - thoroughly enjoyed working alongside lively Isla. "It was great," he says. "She is an extremely talented person and she is very funny."

Isla - who has a 16-month-old daughter, Olive, with Sacha - is equally gushing about handsome Hugh, saying: "He did such a great job. He really grounded the movie in reality. And, of course, Hugh has those gorgeous blue eyes."
Hailing from the UK and sharing the same first name as another famous British actor has inevitably drawn comparisons between Hugh and a certain 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' star. However, the 33-year-old star is quick to shoot down any similarities, insisting: "I don't think I bear much resemblance to Hugh Grant, but I take it as a great compliment."

For this movie, Hugh was reunited with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who he previously worked with on 'Black Hawk Down' in 2001. Bruckheimer - who is famous for explosive action movies such as 'Pirates of the Caribbean', 'Bad Boys' and 'National Treasure' - may seem like a surprise choice for producer, but he was more than happy to ditch hand grenades for handbags. "I first read about Rebecca Bloomwood eight years ago," he says. "I thought the character was so wonderful and intelligent and crazy and I wanted to see her on the big screen. This is a tale of redemption, about a girl who is going on a journey and makes mistakes, like a lot of young people do."

In fact, Bruckheimer is no stranger to this film genre, having previously worked on 'Flashdance' and 'Coyote Ugly'. He admits he "loves" making romantic comedies and had no doubts about who should play Rebecca. "Isla stole people's hearts in 'Wedding Crashers' and 'Definitely, Maybe'," says the producer. "It's exciting to see her wit, intelligence and comedic timing in nearly every scene."
Bruckheimer decided to hire Australian-born US-based P.J. Hogan to direct 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' because he was a fan of his ability to blend the essential materials for any successful chick flick: love and laughter.

Hogan's previous work includes 'Muriel's Wedding' and 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and his off-beat humour is clearly evident in many of Isla's funniest scenes. Hogan says he instantly fell for the lead character. "Rebecca Bloomwood was someone I totally identified with," he reveals. "Feel bad? Go into a store, you're cheered up instantly. When we're down, we've all used retail as a way to cheer ourselves up, but Rebecca just can't stop. She's never met a bargain she can say no to."

Movie bosses have been criticised for relocating Rebecca from London to New York, but Sophie Kinsella insists she had no qualms about the change of address because the essence of her hit novels remained intact. "In my head and in the books, of course, she will always be British," admits the author. "But I have met Becky Bloomwoods all over the world, of every nationality. What matters to me most is that we have her heart, her foibles and her comedy. The film uses elements from the first two 'Shopaholic' books, the second of which is in fact set in New York."

In fact, Sophie is so impressed with the film she has already been discussing possible titles for a sequel. "I have three sons who are not so into shopping but they try to take an interest," she explains. "They came up with 'Shopaholic Blows Up'." Sounds like a perfect project for Bruckheimer.

Believe it or not, the release of new romantic comedy 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' has stirred up some serious fiscal discussions. Some critics have branded it "distasteful" in the current economic climate, while others insist it is a timely tale of warning to people who are spending outside their means. Whatever the deeper messages in this latest cinematic offering, the movie's star Isla Fisher had one primary motivation: to make people laugh.

"Yes, this film does carry a message about consumption, but this is essentially a comedy," insists the Australian star.
Isla admits landing the role of Rebecca Bloomwood - a struggling journalist who is in serious debt because of her out of control shopping addiction - could have been a poisoned chalice because the character has already attracted fans all over the world.
Women everywhere couldn't help but identify with Sophie Kinsella's hit 'Shopaholic' books, which have sold an estimated 15 million copies to date. The series focuses on a girl who dreams of working for a fashion magazine and feels her life will be incomplete without the latest handbag, high heels or belt.

Isla was a huge fan of the books before she ever discussed appearing in the movie - but her affection for Rebecca only added to the growing expectation placed upon her shoulders to bring the ditzy fashionista to life on screen.

"When you are the lead in a movie you are more responsible for the tone of the film. There was also the added pressure of taking on such a beloved character," explains the 33-year-old beauty. "Rebecca really captured my imagination. She has this childlike lust for new things."

The role proved a good fit for Isla - who first found fame playing Shannon Reed on Australian TV soap 'Home and Away' in the mid 90s - as it allowed her to showcase her comic timing and an enthusiasm for making a fool out of herself. "How often do you read a comedy script with a woman in the lead, and she's actually a flawed, deluded character?" asks Isla. "And I was able to do physical comedy. It was a dream role." Some of the funniest scenes in the movie involve these two elements - most memorably Rebecca using a stiletto to remove a credit card from a block of ice, and when she tries to seduce the man of her dreams by performing a crazy fan dance.

Isla credits her fiance Sacha Baron Cohen for giving her the courage to audition for comedies and it seems she has found her niche following success in 'Wedding Crashers' and 'Definitely, Maybe'.

Although Isla fell in love with Rebecca, she struggled to share her one biggest passion: shopping. While Rebecca dreams of designer outfits, Isla admits she is pretty clueless when it comes to clothes. "We are so different," the red-haired actress explains, "I have never been a good shopper. I don't really enjoy it. I like to get in and get out with a purpose. It was a lot of fun and it's such a departure from what I wear in my everyday life."

Being a novice in the world of fashion proved no problem for Isla - the movie's bosses managed to bag one of the world's most renowned stylists, Patricia Field. With previous credits including 'Sex and the City' and 'The Devil Wears Prada', Patricia ensured Isla was always ahead in the fashion stakes. The legendary stylist worked closely with Isla to ensure she felt comfortable in the outlandish clothes. "I found Isla to be very flirty and fetching, with a twinkle in her eye," she says. "Rebecca is also a happy girl. Although she has a conflict with debt, she's essentially a positive person. The colourful costumes for Isla as Rebecca reflect those qualities."
Patricia has revealed she found many of Rebecca's outfits during a business trip to Japan - because the bright designs and small sizes were perfect for Isla's diminutive frame. Designer staples such as Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Gucci and

Christian Dior were also thrown into the mix to create Patricia's trademark collage styling technique.

Patricia was such an inspiration on the film set, she even helped Isla become more daring with her wardrobe choices. "I learned a lot from Patricia, she made me braver about wearing clothes," says Isla. "She is incredibly imaginative. She taught me things don't always have to match."

Isla was also impressed by her dashing co-star Hugh Dancy, who plays Rebecca's editor Luke Brandon. In the movie, Rebecca ironically ends up working for a finance magazine even though she is being chased by a debt collector after maxing out her mountain of credit cards. Despite a shaky start as a financial journalist, Rebecca soon learns to draw upon what she knows best - in most cases high heels - to get her message across. As her column starts to attract fans, Rebecca also wins Luke's respect - and his affections.

Hugh admits arriving on the sprawling movie set felt like a "space launch". However, after getting over his initial nerves, the British heartthrob - who is engaged to American actress Claire Danes - thoroughly enjoyed working alongside lively Isla. "It was great," he says. "She is an extremely talented person and she is very funny."

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