Confessions of a Shopaholic

Without charmer Isla Fisher, director P.J. Hogan's Confessions of a Shopaholic—based on Sophie Kinsella's bestselling novel—would truly be a bargain basement comedy. Fisher (Wedding Crashers) stars as Rebecca, a fashion-obsessed journalist whose out-of-control spending finally catches up with her. Broke and unemployed, she bluffs her way into a staff position at a money magazine titled Successful Saving, where her incredibly patient editor (Hugh Dancy channeling the early Hugh Grant) makes Rebecca his star columnist. Naturally, a relentless debt collector will eventually leap at the opportunity to embarrass her publicly on a TV talk show, and derail the leads' burgeoning relationship. The dynamic and sexy Fisher is backed by a solid supporting cast (John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, John Goodman, Joan Cusack, and Julie Hagerty), but all of the actors are hampered by a weak script that skimps on genuine laughs. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include six minutes of deleted scenes, two minutes of bloopers, the music video “Stuck with Each Other” performed by Shontelle (featuring Akon), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are 14 minutes of “Behind-the-Fashion” featurettes, the music videos “Accessory” performed by Jordyn Taylor and “Takes Time to Love” by Trey Songz, and a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a lightweight extras package for a lightweight romcom.] (E. Hulse)