Isla Fisher takes on retail therapy

New York, February 8: At a time when all of us are cutting expenses and slowing down on the shopping sprees amidst the dwindling economy, Isla Fisher is preparing for some ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’.

The silver-screen adaption of Sophie Kinsella’s bestselling books, ‘The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic’ and ‘Shopaholic Abroad’, is set for a release on Feb. 18.

Though the times were not as difficult when production of the movie began, the contemporary economic situations render the flick very timely.

“Obviously, ‘Confessions’ was conceived during a different economic period, but the lessons that my character, Rebecca Bloomwood, learns we’ve all been learning recently,” said Fisher. “So it feels very timely. I’m really proud of the responsible way we handle Rebecca’s (spending habit) at the end of the movie.”

In the film, Fisher plays a financial journalist who is a shopping fanatic and lands into a debt of $16,200. Gradually the Hollywood redemption tale takes shape and the character comes to realize that accumulation of the material is inconsequential.

En route to that higher state of emancipation, Rebecca falls for her boss (Hugh Dancy) and love makes her realize that the best things in life are, probably free. Eventually, as they say, you go empty-handed.

Fisher, 33, says the real challenge was making that flawed character likable.

"It's difficult because someone who is seen as very superficial and drawn to bright, shiny objects is not necessarily a likable person," she said. "For me, it was about keeping the character real and then trusting that the audience and sympathy would follow."

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer echoes her voice, saying, "Isla has to play a despicable character and get the audience to still like her."

In real life, though, the lady is quite likable and much less of a spendthrift. She claims to have no inclination towards shopping or collecting material objects. “There’s nothing really material that I can’t pass by,” Fisher says, then adds, “Maybe underwear. You need underwear. It’s not such a good look, the no-underwear look.”