"Confessions of a Shopaholic" Movie Review

I watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and was pleasantly surprised. From the title, one would assume it would be a movie about a thrift store employee wearing Prada or a documentary of a young, beautiful woman who collects more and more stuff. However, movie titles- like book covers- can be deceiving.

This film should be called "Lady in the Green Scarf." Such a title would be more appropriate as the entire movie centers around the transformation of the girl who needed the green scarf to define her worth-- to the girl who needed the green scarf to remember who she can be as a valuable person (notice the play between "worth" and "value").

Rebecca Bloomwood is a person who is loved and accepted- not because of what she wears- but because of who she is able to participate in life with each day. And thus, the whole movie is about shedding the need to define who you are based on what you have-- to becoming who you can be in community! Sounds like a Pastor Christy sermon-- consumerism transformed into ontology in the context of relationship with God and others! :)

The movie is quite humorous as Amy Adams creates a great mental image of Rebecca. She rubs magazine scents on her neck before an interview, loses her best friend in a pile of designer clothes, mixes up the words "fiscal" and "fish," and a whole host of other things that might cause a few giggles.

My favorite line from the movie comes out of the mouth of Suzie, Rebecca's best friend. When Rebecca takes a job at a savings magazine-- even though bill collectors stalk her constantly, Suzie says "its like an animal rights" person "being trampled by a cow." Nice. I think we had to push pause because I laughed so hard. Good thing I didn't go see it in the theater.

Something one may not catch instantly- is the play between being defined by family and being defined by relationships in family. Fluke, the handsome boss, claims he does not want to be defined by his family (based on his mother's wealth and status). Where as Rebecca's Father claims an RV does not define him, his family does (as in, his participation in their life defines him). It is a worthy distinction to notice.

I think Rebbeca summarizes the problems of consumerism for America ever so beautifully when she is backed into a corner, forced to explain why she shops. She answers: It is because "when I shop, the world gets better." She claims to be happy-- but then, it ends and she has to do it again.

All too often we get caught in the cycle of consumerism. We are convinced we need an item or product because it will change who we ARE. We confuse our very being's worth with someTHING. And thus, we become "oholics" of some sort. Some of us become "alcoholics." Some of us become "shopaholics." Some of us become "sportsaholics." But all of us are addicted to something-- even if that something, is ourselves.

Because what addictions reveal- is our idolatry with ourselves. And if, by chance, you think you are not addicted to anything, go spend time with someone who admits their addiction. You just might learn a little about your own addiction to choosing yourself over God. We all need to be repentative of those times we decide someTHING can make and transform us who we wish we were-- over the times we should have responded to God's constant reaching out to us in love, pulling us towards relationship. Because the most amazing part of it all, is that God can transform us into more than we could have ever dreamed up for ourselves using Prada, Gap, a soccer ball, a CD, alcohol, or a host of other things.

Thanks, "Confessions," for teaching us this.

For a relationship with "someone who loves me back" and with whom we are "never declined" is quite beautiful.