Interview with Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of Confessions of a Shopaholic

I’ve heard people say that the timing of “Confessions of a Shopaholic” isn’t great, what with all of our personal and national economics woes. But as Val Kilmer said in “Tombstone,” I beg to diffah.

“Confessions” is the perfect movie right now, because a lot of us … ahem, not me, of course … are shopaholics, but this movie shows that you can overcome it and learn to curb your spending. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” says the movie is perfect for our current times.

“It’s a tale of redemption,” he says. “It’s a tale of a girl who is going on a journey, who makes mistakes as most young people do … the credit card companies love sending you credit cards so you exceed your limit and they can charge you interest. And this is a girl who overcomes her problems and figures a way out of her financial crisis, and hopefully the world will do the same thing.”

See? I knew I was right!

Bruckheimer goes on to say that he fell in love with the character of Rebecca Bloomwood eight years ago when he bought the film rights to the book by Sophie Kinsella. “I thought the character was just so wonderful, intelligent and crazy, and I just wanted to see her on the big screen … We were very fortunate to latch onto a character who has since become an international success both as a novel and hopefully now as a movie.”

I’ve always thought of Bruckheimer as an action-movie guy, but in fact, when you look back at his filmmaking history, he started out with “Flashdance” and “Coyote Ugly.” He says he loves making romantic comedies and making people laugh.

“That’s a trademark that I don’t think any producer would turn down. We love to entertain audiences, and this picture does that. It’s romantic, it’s funny, it’s got a nice message, and I think it’s a gift to the audience to be able to enjoy this movie.”

I’m hoping the film gods hear my plea to turn the Shopaholic series into a movie franchise, and that’s Bruckheimer’s wish, too. “We hope that audiences around the world embrace the picture in the same way they have the books, and that Disney will allow us make another one.”

Up next for Bruckheimer is “G-Force,” an animated/live-action film for Walt Disney Pictures in theaters July 25, 2009. “Prince of Persia,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, is in post-production, and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with Nicolas Cage is coming up, as well.

Read my “Confessions of a Shopaholic” review, and buy it on DVD and Blu-ray June 23, 2009.

Photo credits: INF; Robert Zuckerman ©Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer, Inc. All Rights Reserved