New on DVD

By Dave McCoy
MSN Movies

Many may not recognize the name Isla Fisher. Usually, you have to follow it with, "You know ... the redhead who played the crazy nymphomaniac in 'Wedding Crashers.'" Or, "You know, she is the girlfriend (now fiancée) of Sacha Baron Cohen ('Borat' and the upcoming 'Bruno')." Then you'll get an, "Oh yeah! I know her." Well, the Australian actress who stole the show from Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn is ready to run her own. In "Confessions of a Shopaholic," based on the best-selling series (don't call it "chick lit") by English author Sophie Kinsella, Fisher gets her first starring role. She plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a journalist yearning to write for a fashion magazine by day ... . And the rest of the time? She's a shopping junkie, unconcerned about things like credit card debt or economic collapse ... as long as she gets her green scarf, she is fine. Of course, this is all lighthearted, romantic comedy stuff, and Fisher proves that though she may have a small frame, she has no problem shouldering a movie.

Fisher recently took time, the night after the film's premiere, to discuss it, her own obsessions, her fiancé and, of course, the first question on everyone's mind ...

MSN Movies: What is in your DVD player?

Isla Fisher: "The Wrestler." I got a screener. I love it. I am so impressed by [director] Darren Aronofsky, the way he did "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain" and now this ... all different genres. He is just a really brilliant storyteller. I am surprised it didn't get nominated for Best Picture. I don't understand, darling. Or Best Director.

What attracted you to "Shopaholic"?

The fact that Mickey Rourke was in it. [Laughs] I read the books and was a huge fan. I jumped at the chance to play [protagonist] Rebecca.

What do you think is the appeal of those books?

I just think they are very witty. They are very funny. People call them "chick lit," and I find that offensive; I think it's "wit lit." I think here the character is so relatable and really taps into the collective consumer consciousness ... or did. The movie was conceived during a different economic period. The dad, John Goodman, has a line in the film, saying, "If the American economy can handle being billions in debt, so can Rebecca Bloomwood." What's scary is, back then, we were a billion in debt. Now a year later, it's a trillion. It's unbelievable.

Are you a shopping freak?

No. Rarely and poorly. I had to do research.

Do you have any addictions or obsessions like Rebecca?

I am addicted to my family. If I were to say what I shop for and get carried away, I'd have to say books. Oh, and things in hardware stores, actually. I always buy something pointless that is never used, whether it's three cans of paint for some imaginary wall I'm going to paint -- I'm never going to paint a bloody wall, but somehow I'll buy the parts -- or a drill. There is something about being in a hardware store, you feel these incredibly unusual products that you've never seen before and they seem a necessity.

Ok. So this film has a very targeted demographic. So I want you to give me a pitch that women can use to convince their boyfriends or husbands to see this with them on opening weekend.

They should bring their dates because it is a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. Even though there are no exploding car chases, there is an exploding closet. And even though there isn't a cameo from Nicolas Cage, there is a cameo from John Goodman.

On that note, has Sacha Baron Cohen seen the movie?

Ummm ... he has ...

And?

You have to ask him! [Laughs] Honestly, he came to the premiere last night, and it was overwhelming. And we are so busy with work and interviews ... so actually I haven't had the chance yet to break it all down.

So, last question: When Cohen leaves for work, on a business trip as, say, Borat or Bruno, do you feel like the wife of a cop, and worry that you may never see him again?

Oh my god. It is an unusual situation to be in when the conversation you have with your partner is not, "How was work?" or, "Did you pick up the dry cleaning?" Instead it is, "Are you arrested?" or, "Are you in prison?" or, "Have you been beaten up?" and "Is anyone suing us today?"

Send us your thoughts on Fisher and/or "Confessions of a Shopaholic" to heymsn@microsoft.com

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Dave McCoy is a senior producer for MSN Movies. He once bought an olive pitter for no reason at all and regrets it.