‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ is a rollercoaster of both genuine and mocking laughs that’s worth half the price of a ticket, so you might want to save some money and wait for the DVD.

In the exciting and enchanting world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood is a playful girl with childlike behavior whose only real skill is shopping. It’s the same played out story, she dreams of working for a fashion magazine, but can’t quite get there, until, wait for it, i-r-o-n-y, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, well almost, she goes to further extremes to keep her past from ruining her future.

If someone says Oscar, they need medication. So lets begin with the story, Rebecca Bloomfield (Isla Fisher) is a big budget but low-income shopaholic who has dreams of working for her fashion magazine icon but as luck would have it she’s given a job as a columnist for a financial magazine. It’s obvious she’s not the perfect candidate to give money-managing advice, so the story turns to her butting heads with her handsome editor (Hugh Dancy) until the sparks start flying between them. The film trails her efforts to overcome her weird addiction and make a successful career all while hoping to find love and happiness. There’s a reason why this light-hearted ‘comedy’ opened Valentines’ Day weekend. It’s pure dribble and what many would call uniquely charming in a big fluffy way. This is not real cinema and no one should ever compare it to the ‘Devil Wears Prada.’

Now, if you haven’t guessed, the acting was mediocre, and with a couple of bright spots Fisher did do an outstanding job, she has risen above her appearance in ‘Wedding Crashers.’ There’s nothing special about Hugh Dancy except he’s nice to look at. John Lithgow was fantastic and left us wanting more. It’s heartbreaking that he wasn’t in the film more.

I honestly expected more from Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer, and J.P. Hogan, who directed ‘Muriel’s Wedding.’ This movie is recommended for those who loved ‘Ella Enchanted,’ and don’t expect much when you see it.