In the opening lines of Confessions of a Shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is talking about a magic time when people went shopping without money and had, "magic cards" instead.  As preposterous as that sounds, I can testify it happened to a least one person, a close friend of mine who was an immigrant refugee from China's Cultural War.

  It was no laughing matter for him when he had realized the error of his way.  An educated professor of Chinese history he was pushing a broom for a contractor that had the maintenance contract for Western Electric in San Leandro Ca.  Today, I have a parting gift when I left CA in 1973 (the first time) of a vase from the last emperor's period for my friendship and little lesson on credit cards to him.  The other valuable lesson was that there was honor in work, any work.  You see he was proud to push a broom in America where he was free than to have the tiles of professor in China where it was a crime to talk about reform in the state, criticise government policy or even travel without a permit.  As a professor he was allowed to travel from school to school in the summer and winter.  One trip he just traveled close to Honk Kong and jumped in and swam for it!  Ultimately the Lutheran Church sponsored him in America and he and his family have made a fine contribution and addition to this country.

Today conspicuous consumption is socially not only in bad taste, but has to almost be indulged in private, like sneaking around having a private affair you just don't want to be caught.  It was only time until Hollywood would cash in!

This movie actually does not glorify shopping but actually mocks those excesses and the whole fashion industry with some very good humor.  Quick paced, witty humor, yes and corny unbelievable scenes and situations. 

Like my immigrate friend there are some lessons and values to learn in America, like money management for starters. A little recession and an even bigger depression is almost necessary every generation or so to remind people to not only be frugal but be responsible for your actions.  Maybe that will spill over to our runaway Government excess!

I am shocked that more pundits did not see the humor as much as I did in this movie and have to congratulate the makers on some clean fun and the  gentle reminder that we can all do a little more to avoid these credit traps as individuals and as a country.
 

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