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Good Credit

Filed in Online Interviews

Source: The Wave Magazine

It’s about time Isla Fisher got her own movie. After stealing all of her scenes as Vince Vaughn’s adorably psychotic love interest in Wedding Crashers, not to mention earning her dues through a host of supporting roles, the delightfully funny Australian (and fiancé of Sasha Baron “Borat” Cohen) has a vehicle that really showcases her talents. Confessions of a Shopaholic stars Fisher as Rebecca Bloomwood, a consumer-obsessed young woman who stumbles around department stores and fakes her way through financial journalism, fan dancing and speaking Finnish. We chatted with her about the film, her own tastes in fashion, her gift for physical comedy and tapping into her inner idiot.

The Wave: What was the most fun style discovery you made making this film?

Isla Fisher: Using a lot of color in my wardrobe. I’m fairly conservative normally and I just feel like [costume designer] Patricia Fields brought out the color in me. I now love to wear color.
TW: Who are your favorite fashion designers?
IF: A part of this business, obviously, is the pageantry of the red carpet, and you get dressed by incredible designers, so I’d have to say I love Stella McCartney. I love Vivian Westwood. I love Zac Posen. I tend to go for more kind of classic. I love Prada. I feel very blessed to wear any of those dresses.

TW: Did you work with the costumer on choosing the outfits?

IF: I did. Patricia was extremely collaborative. I only had one request, which is that I wanted my character to wear extremely high heels so she could totter. I think there’s nothing funnier than a comedic character tottering and the impracticality of wearing something that clearly doesn’t fit her and is uncomfortable – but she’s a shopaholic, so she has to have it.

TW: Does this movie have a lesson for people now faced with economic turmoil?

IF: Obviously, this movie was conceived during a different economic period and the lessons that Rebecca Bloomwood learns in the movie, we have all been learning recently. So it feels very topical. I’m really proud of the responsible way that we handle that issue at the end of the movie.

TW: Can you tell us about the scene where you have to do a fan dance?

IF: It’s always been a comic dream of mine to attempt to seduce a man doing a dance that’s actually repulsive. So the opportunity of doing that arose during this movie, and I embraced it. I really enjoyed every minute of it.

TW: Did you do any choreography or was it all done for you?

IF: No, no, they’re all (I’m embarrassed to admit) my own moves.

TW: Did you learn any Finnish?

IF: No, but I really enjoyed speaking it at the end of the movie – that was a lot of fun.

TW: Your character falls for her editor in the movie. What’s your take on workplace romance?

IF: I think it works out very well for Rebecca Bloomwood in this story because Luke Brandon [Hugh Dancy’s character] actually uncovers her voice and helps her to fulfill. She doesn’t realize how talented she is until she meets him. And for him, he learns to loosen up. That’s why I think their relationship is so nice – they learn so much from each other. Personally, I’m not a fan of romance in the workplace, because you’re stuck seeing someone every day.

TW: Did you do any research for Shopaholics Anonymous?

IF: I did, actually. I went to Spenders Anonymous groups and Underearners and Overspenders groups and it was fascinating. There are all different styles and types of shopping. There’s trophy shopping, image shopping, collecting, bulimic shopping. As funny as it sounds, it’s obviously also pretty sad, too. But I definitely learned a lot, and that it affects men as often as women.

TW: How did you develop your talent for physical comedy?

IF: I trained at Jacques Lecoq, a theatre school in Paris, where Simon McBurney, who’s a very famous French clown (well, he’s English actually), and a lot of the theatre troupe Complicite train. We focus on Comedia Dell’Arte and bouffant and mime. So, technically, I definitely learned the skill-set. But, just personally, I’ve always been someone who loves to tap into their inner idiot. I’ve always been the clown of my family and I’ve always just enjoyed mucking about. I’m just fortunate that I get paid to do that now.

TW: Do you plan on sticking to comedy or exploring more drama?

IF: I love comedy. I love, just love, the freedom that comedy brings, but I’m open to working with any filmmakers.

TW: With your training, are you meticulous about every pratfall or reaction? Do you plan those, and practice them?

IF: No, I just try to keep really loose and stay in the moment and not have any sort of hope for what I’m going to do. I’m not a method actress, but I prepare at home and then I just try not to be self-conscious. I think a lot of people ask how come I got the role or I got into comedy, and I just think it’s because I’m willing to pull faces. A lot of actors and actresses aren’t willing to do that.

TW: So what we’re seeing is natural?

IF: Yes.

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