PJ Hogan Tagged Articles at Cinematical

To be honest, I kind of have the same aversion to the term 'Chick Lit' as I do with 'Chick Flick.' So, you can understand why I am not all that familiar with Madeleine Wickham's Shopoholic novels. The five-part series was optioned by Disney back in 2004, and last August they hired Isla Fischer for the lead. Just Jared is now posting some behind-the-scenes (aka paparazzi) photos of the actress hard at work. Plus, she is wearing what is possibly the ugliest bridesmaid dress I have ever seen -- which is probably the source of some comedy, or at least I hope it is.

Confessions of a Shopaholic centers on a young college grad (Fisher) who lands a sweet job as a high-profile financial journalist in New York City. However, like any romantic comedy, career fulfillment ain't what it used to be. So, of course, our heroine falls in love with a wealthy entrepreneur. Oh, and did I mention she shops a lot? Hopefully Fisher is going to make this gal more charming on screen than she sounds on paper, because so far, I am not loving this story.

On the upside -- P.J. Hogan (director of Muriel's Wedding) is helming the romcom. So, at least there is a glimmer of something a little more complex than the usual 'girly fluff.' Muriel's Wedding should be required viewing for anyone that wants to make a so-called 'chick flick.' Hogan makes fully fleshed out characters, has a biting sense of humor, and makes happy endings that you don't have to feel guilty about loving. Confessions of a Shopaholic is scheduled to hit theaters on February 13th, 2009 -- just in time for Valentine's Day.

Back in August, Isla Fisher was tapped to head the big-screen adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's bestselling novel Confessions of a Shopaholic, which was going to be filmed under the British title, The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic. Now the film is back to its US title, has a new start date popping up next month, and more cast to revel in the world of shopping along with Fisher. The Hollywood Reporter has posted that Hugh Dancy and Krysten Ritter have signed on to co-star.

Shopaholic, which is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Muriel's Wedding helmer PJ Hogan, is about a woman named Rebecca (Fisher), who works as a financial journalist in New York City -- one who writes for "Successful Saving." While most of her life is on the up and up, Rebecca has a serious shopping addiction that she can't afford, so she has to find "creative solutions" to kill her debt. And, since this is a romcom, she also falls for a successful entrepreneur she's covering for the magazine. One, perhaps, that can afford her over-the-top shopping ways?

The Jane Austen Book Club member Hugh Dancy won't be the object of Isla's affection, but rather the editor of her magazine. Ritter, meanwhile, will play her best friend, Suze. Ritter is also "Gina the Goth" in the upcoming romcom 27 Dresses, but is probably better known for her roles on Veronica Mars (the exuberant Gia Goodman) and Gilmore Girls (the also-exuberant Lucy). Now all we need is Rebecca's romantic interest, and the film will be set to shoot next month in New York and Connecticut.

I was watching Talladega Nights the other day and start griping about Isla Fisher. Why? Sheer jealousy of course -- her being engaged to Sacha Baron Cohen. Anyway, a friend asked me who the hell I was talking about, and I explained that she was the bubbly model replacement for the bonnet-wearing Naomi Watts in I Heart Huckabees. My other friend then told me I was crazy and explained that she was also the girl from the Wedding Crashers. I can't help it. Every time I think of her, I remember her as the replacement model. Now, along with a new kid, she's getting a big starring role -- JoBlo has posted that she's signed on to star in The Secret Dream World of a Shopaholic. This is the movie adaptation of Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic. (Why would they make the name longer?)

Fisher will play Rebecca Bloomwood, a college grad who makes a living working as a financial journalist in the Big Apple. Most things are going well, except that she's struggling with a terrible shopping addiction. Her bills increase well beyond her means and "she's forced to creatively find solutions to her mounting debt while falling in love with a highly successful entrepreneur she's highlighting for the magazine." Sounds like a perfect match to me -- although we'll have to see how she does as a financial journalist. The adaptation was written by Tracey Jackson (The Guru) and PJ Hogan (Muriel's Wedding and My Best Friend's Wedding), so that should bode well for the production.

Now, this is where I get confused -- they say that filming will begin this November. Fisher's already pretty round, and she's expecting her baby this winter, so I'm not sure how they're going to pull this all off -- unless the start date is just some misinformation. If she's a pregnant financial journalist and shopaholic in New York, well that would be...interesting.

Oh yeah, and she's cute. (Scott made me say that.)