Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

Labels and products galore in frothy book-based romcom.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although most of the content in this by-the-book romantic comedy is age-appropriate for older tweens and young teens (there's little swearing and drinking and no nudity or violence), it's swimming in consumerism and high-end product placement and reinforces some broad stereotypes about women. Despite being chastened in the end, the main character seems downright naïve -- and a tad unapologetic -- about her shop-'til-you're-bankrupt ways. Kids may enjoy the fantasy, but parents may find that the frothy "escapism" feels out of place in these unsettled economic times.

Positive messages: A woman shops endlessly despite being deeply in debt and lies to everyone about her habit -- she even riles up a Shopaholics Anonymous meeting and nearly has everyone running to the mall. But she means well and clearly values friendships and relationships. Still, her character could be seen as reinforcing several broad stereotypes about women, from being fashion-obssessed to being clueless about money. The movie also emphasizes consumption and materialism in a time when many moviegoers are facing severe financial struggles.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Flirting and some kissing.
Language: Pretty mild and infrequent. Words include "ass," "crap," "bitch," "hell," and "oh my God."
Consumerism: The movie is all about shopping and consumerism, so, not surprisingly, there's tons of high-end product placement, with signage and/or products from Asprey, Henri Bendel, Barney's New York, Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Border's, Gucci, and more.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some social drinking among adults.

More on Confessions of a Shopaholic

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about Rebecca's nonstop shopping and spending. Is her behavior really all that unusual, or do lots of people overspend? What makes shopping so addictive for some people? And what are the real-life consequences of behavior like Rebecca's? Do you think the movie makes her behavior seem acceptable? Is she intended to be a role model? If so, what "lessons" is she teaching teen girls about responsibility? In the end, what message do you think the movie sends teens about the importance of high-end brands and having lots of stuff?

What's the story?

What's the story?

After a chance encounter, twentysomething writer Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) leaves her boring job at a trade publication behind for a stint at Successful Savings, a money magazine she hopes will be a stepping stone to her dream job at Vogue-like style tome Alette. Rebecca's a diehard fashionista with a talent for churning out readable, enjoyable copy -- a skill that has turned her into something of a finance guru. Ironically, she pays for her chic splurges with credit cards, and she's so woefully in debt that a collector's nipping at her Manolos. How will she outwit him and prevent her handsome editor, Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy), from discovering that she's a finance "whiz" who may be destined for the poorhouse?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Here's the question that runs through your mind after watching CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC: Is that all there is to it? (Which makes it a little like shopping on credit cards.) Delightful in parts but regrettably not as a whole, the movie can't seem to decide what audiences should take away from it. The shopping segments are all Sex and the City-style aspiration, but the guilt is soon heaped on in piles. What, then, is the point of dwelling on the buying binges? Had the movie amped up the fantasy part and toned down the finger-wagging, it would've been first-class escapism. As it stands, it's a lot like having your credit card denied at the checkout -- oh, what a buzz kill!

Fisher tries hard to make a go of the enterprise, but she can't rescue the film's flawed script. A jumble of plot points raises the stakes but doesn't pay off, characters who seem important early on disappear later, and nearly every role is a romcom stereotype -- the eccentric-but-lovable lead; the gawky, fun best friend; the slightly brooding, self-serious romantic interest. It's too bad, really, because on paper, Shopaholic had the makings of a blockbuster: inspired by bestselling novels, beautiful New York as its backdrop, and a stellar cast (especially supporting players like John Goodman and Joan Cusack). It's an impulse buy you may not fully regret, but one you won't love, either.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: P.J. Hogan
Cast: Hugh Dancy, Isla Fisher, Joan Cusack
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: February 13, 2009
DVD release: June 23, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some mild language and thematic elements
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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

moviesfan10101
kid, 1 year old
 
watch it
Why is this movie even rated 12+?????? There's nothing that inappropriate! If you wanna watch it alone i think you should be about 8, if you wanna watch it with your parents about 6 but if you're 5 I don't recommend it

mason123456
teen, 14 years old
 
a chick flick thats quite average
read the title

Durbin
teen, 15 years old
 
perfect for tweens and teens
Very good movie me and my friends FAvoRiTe!!!!!!! A little crude humor and language... small scene with drinking champaign!!! :) i HIGHly recomend it!!!!! watch it over again

Little movie freak
teen, 15 years old
 
Surprisingly sweet charmig and funny movie.
This is a surprisingly sweet, charming,and funny , and an entertaining movie I actually surprisingly enjoyed most of this movie. There are brief mild innuendos as well as there's brief cursing.Like I wrote before this is a surprisingly charming,funny , and an entertaining movie that I was actually somewhat surprisingly entertained by.I think that this movie would be ON for ages 12 - 13. I gave it probably a B or a B+.I liked this film. Rent It Today !

pianocutie95
teen, 16 years old
 
I think this may be my favorite movie on the entire planet! It reflects how much girls are so caught up in the world of shopping and consumerism. I totally understand Becky's situation in the movie, considering I'm a major shopaholic myself. There's absolutely NO sex or violence. There's one *a-word, and one *b-word, but overall an excellent flick for all. please, please rent this. unforgettable.

FunMommy
parent of and 7 , 9 , 12 year old
 
teaches a tough life lesson in a funny and positive way
Good for older children because you can discuss the effects of overspending on not only your wallet but also your life. Ends on a positive note of changing yourself.

dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
 
IT IS SO DUMB!!! There is no comedy and its just a really bad movie. PLZ DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!

saintsgirl12
teen, 13 years old
 
good but a little iffy
i liked it but they do use bad language and get drunk in one scene which i thought was iffy for younger kids, but overall great movie and i love isle fisher!!

Katie-Kakes
teen, 17 years old
 
Loved it
this is a brilliant movie for the whole family to enjoy. lots of shopping, shoes and bags but a great moive

Marilyn ...
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
Why is sex just an accepted thing these days, in a movie aimed at kids??
Could be a cute movie for kids, I suppose, but WWWHHHHYYYYYYY can't any move that's aimed at tweens just leave the sex out? Why do I have to feel like a prude while watching a movie with my 9-year old daughter, because out of nowhere there's a random guy under the sheets naked with the heroine's girlfriend? WHY? Is this just deemed acceptable in a movie aimed at young, young girls these days??? (btw, I'm not a prude -- but I try to be a good parent) What the hell has happened? Is there no shame anymore??

super movie ...
teen, 15 years old
 
great movie
great movie about shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!

iluvmoviesnbooks
teen, 14 years old
 
Perfecct for all kids and tweens! i would reccomend the book for teens!
Great! I like the movie so much more than the book! Its more fun and gets to the point. Best movie there should be other movvies that are so fun to watch on a rainy day

Spongebob Fan
kid, 13 years old
 
Good, Funny Movie. LOTS of Consumerism, though.
This was overall a really good film. Not 4 stars worthy, but pretty good. Other than the constant consumerism and awful message of 'getting what you want from spending', the only other concern is the main character and a friend getting drunk. It is really good though, so, if you have a daughter or some girls who just wanna kick back and watch a funny sleepover film, this one's really good.

nickjsoccergirl
teen, 14 years old
 
funny but a litttle much for pg
this movie is really funny and would be gr8 for a tween sleepover but does have a little language and she and her friend get drunk

massie11
kid, 11 years old
 
shop shopSHOP!. not bad lanuage but edgy . best movie ever

theflickchick
teen, 14 years old
 
a little confusing
It's a little complicated and has lots of talk about business, bills, and money, so if you're just not interested in that stuff and find it boring, not the movie for you. It was pretty good but has a lot of consumerism.

trypie5
kid, 13 years old
 
Great movie
I barely remember this Movie but I do remember I loved it!

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
Terrible. Skip it.
My rating: PG [borderline with PG-13] for some language and brief alcohol use.

Salej43
kid, 12 years old
 
Hilarious! Ok for young tweens
Very funny! some language includes 2 uses of a**, and 1 b****. One scene where Rabecca and her friend get drunk.

carmenita1324
kid, 13 years old
 
I really liked it, it was really funny.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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