The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada is a scathing and funny look at the world of fashion as told through the eyes of the once innocent Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway). The film is based on a book by Lauren Weisberger and it is supposed to be about her former boss Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
Andy lives with her boyfriend Nate (Adrien Grenier) in New York City. They are far from well off but they love each other and enjoy hanging out with their friends Lilly (Tracie Thomas) and Doug (Rich Sommer). Andy would like to work as a journalist for a magazine and when the human resources department of Runway magazine calls her for an interview she jumps at the chance. The position is for the second assistant to Runway editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Before the interview with Miranda she meets the first assistant Emily (Emily Blunt) who doesn't think much of Andy. There is reason for that - Andy couldn't care less about fashion and she is considered too heavy (a size six!). But Miranda hires Andy because she seems different from her previous assistants.
Miranda is really the boss from hell. She thinks that she is the Queen of the World and everyone else are her underlings. Try as she may Andy just can't get Miranda's respect. Things start to change when fashion expert Nigel (Stanley Tucci) takes Andy under his wing and helps her change her image. Everyone loves her new look except Nate who prefers the old Andy. But after the makeover things start to happen and Andy is more determined then ever to win over Miranda and work her way up the ladder. During an event Andy meets a smooth talking writer named Christian Thompson who tells her that perhaps he can help her get a writing position (in her current position she certainly isn't doing any writing).
There is no point in telling you any more. Despite the fact that the film is somewhat predictable I enjoyed it. This is because director David Frankel gets good or great performances out of his actors and Aline Brosh McKenna has written some very sharp dialog for them to speak. Tucci is funny but also very sympathetic as a man who wants to do better but is held back by circumstances. Hathaway, who showed great potential in Brokeback Mountain, perfectly captures Andy's dilemma of a young woman who wants to succeed but doesn't want to hurt people in the process. Blunt, who was wonderful in last year's My Summer of Love, is terrific as the catty Emily. And best of all is Streep who is as bitchy as can be. In the old days there were plenty of great movie bitches (think Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck) but these days there aren't many real bitchy roles out there. It makes me think that the studios are afraid of something. In any case, with this film and A Prairie Home Companion Streep could be looking for a nomination in the supporting actress category next awards season.
The film poses an important question - how much do you want power and money and what would you give up to get it? It is something to think about and I certainly know what my answer to that question would be. And what if Miranda were a man - would that make any difference? I don't believe in a double standard and to me it wouldn't. I don't like ruthless, cut throat people no matter what sex they are and I wish that there were less of them in this world.
And this film reinforces my feelings.
Andy lives with her boyfriend Nate (Adrien Grenier) in New York City. They are far from well off but they love each other and enjoy hanging out with their friends Lilly (Tracie Thomas) and Doug (Rich Sommer). Andy would like to work as a journalist for a magazine and when the human resources department of Runway magazine calls her for an interview she jumps at the chance. The position is for the second assistant to Runway editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Before the interview with Miranda she meets the first assistant Emily (Emily Blunt) who doesn't think much of Andy. There is reason for that - Andy couldn't care less about fashion and she is considered too heavy (a size six!). But Miranda hires Andy because she seems different from her previous assistants.
Miranda is really the boss from hell. She thinks that she is the Queen of the World and everyone else are her underlings. Try as she may Andy just can't get Miranda's respect. Things start to change when fashion expert Nigel (Stanley Tucci) takes Andy under his wing and helps her change her image. Everyone loves her new look except Nate who prefers the old Andy. But after the makeover things start to happen and Andy is more determined then ever to win over Miranda and work her way up the ladder. During an event Andy meets a smooth talking writer named Christian Thompson who tells her that perhaps he can help her get a writing position (in her current position she certainly isn't doing any writing).
There is no point in telling you any more. Despite the fact that the film is somewhat predictable I enjoyed it. This is because director David Frankel gets good or great performances out of his actors and Aline Brosh McKenna has written some very sharp dialog for them to speak. Tucci is funny but also very sympathetic as a man who wants to do better but is held back by circumstances. Hathaway, who showed great potential in Brokeback Mountain, perfectly captures Andy's dilemma of a young woman who wants to succeed but doesn't want to hurt people in the process. Blunt, who was wonderful in last year's My Summer of Love, is terrific as the catty Emily. And best of all is Streep who is as bitchy as can be. In the old days there were plenty of great movie bitches (think Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck) but these days there aren't many real bitchy roles out there. It makes me think that the studios are afraid of something. In any case, with this film and A Prairie Home Companion Streep could be looking for a nomination in the supporting actress category next awards season.
The film poses an important question - how much do you want power and money and what would you give up to get it? It is something to think about and I certainly know what my answer to that question would be. And what if Miranda were a man - would that make any difference? I don't believe in a double standard and to me it wouldn't. I don't like ruthless, cut throat people no matter what sex they are and I wish that there were less of them in this world.
And this film reinforces my feelings.
posted by Film Fanatic | 3:45 PM
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