Feb

There’s a double-feature of money-related films opening today: The International and Confessions of a Shopaholic. Is this a sign that financial matters have truly become entrenched in pop culture, or am I just noticing this more?

Check out the trailers:

I was very excited about The International – a movie where the villains are evil bankers! (I knew it!) Plus, Clive Owen! But I was disappointed by the film: While there were a few good lines, the necessary exposition about the mysterious International Bank of Business and Credit wanting to control debt to gain global power was leaden and academic. And with the exception of one balletic shoot-’em-up scene in New York’s Guggenheim Museum, the film crawled along at a rate that made the TSX look positively robust.

I have more to say about Confessions of a Shopaholic because I’m so ambivalent about it. First, the good: The film was a beautifully-styled fantasy with comely actors, eye-grabbing colours and lots of fanciful outfits. And as the main character, would-be fashion magazine writer Rebecca Bloomwood, Isla Fisher proved talented at pratfalls — the girl is willing. But, the bad: It reinforces every stereotype of women being irresponsible, ditzy, frenzied consumers – not to mention a few improbable notions of journalism. And, having just written a feature for Chatelaine on the dangers and struggles of real-life shopaholism, the movie felt both irresponsible and out of touch with the times.

I’m going back into the vault to come up with a Top Ten of Money Films: Anyone have any suggestions?

From the Cheap Seat