The Devil Wears Prada
Andy joins the prestigious Runway Magazine as one of the assistants to editor Miranda Priestly – the cold, distant and incredibly hard to please. As the weeks and months go on, Andy slowly begins to gain Miranda’s trust and respect – but is it worth giving up all the things she has in her personal life like friends and family?
Direction
David Frankel directs and does a sound job. I had a couple of ups and downs from his efforts. I loved the “outfit change montage” that has Andy showing up to work in different outfits.
A down was near the end and there was some poor use of green screen while Miranda and Andy were in a cab. It distracted a little from an important conversation between the pair.
Cast/Characters
Meryl Streep gives another Oscar nominated worthy performance. This is one of her only roles where she has played a ‘bad guy’. However her performance is blended with heart at times when her character goes through a divorce and she shows utter heartbreak – you genuinely feel sorry for this antagonistic workaholic.
Anne Hathaway plays Andy, the ‘overweight ugly duckling’ who is out of her elements in joining Runway. Whether or not this was a tongue in cheek joke due to Hathaway being both stunning, and far from ‘fat’ that they call her. She gives a fine performance – but I wasn’t as ‘blown away’ by what I have seen her do in other roles. The “ugly duckling into a swan” story felt similar to Princess Diaries.
Stanley Tucci plays almost the heart of the film, as Nigel – one of Miranda’s closest work colleagues and almost friend. He gives Andy the only ray of positivity during her early time at Runway. His arc is almost heartbreaking in what occurs to him – especially later in the film.
Emily Blunt plays Miranda’s “first” assistant – Emily who is at breaking point throughout the film, both emotionally and at times physically. She too has a tough arc,as she wants to succeed in Miranda’s eyes – but Miranda chooses Andy over her for several important events throughout the film.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The film does the character is “expected” before the character is “accepted” for their hard work trope well, and is only strengthened by the performances of the key cast.
Based on novel of the same name, the screenplay is quick paced – but easy to follow. It is filled with some wonderful moments of dialogue.
Two moments that stand out are Nigel’s monologue about Miranda’s “expectations of her team” to Andy, and later in the film when Miranda and Andy are leaving the James Holt dinner together and Andy realises she has ‘become Miranda’.
The film is mostly about Andy coming into her own skin, and growing her confidence. As she “has to” put her work first, she makes sacrifices along the way (her friends, her boyfriend, even Emily – who she fleeced out of important events).
Overall
Amazingly this film is nearly 20 years old (and embarrassingly this was my first time watching).
Deserving of the Oscar nominations (Streep for Best Actress and also for Costume Design). Streep, as always gives a masterclass in performance.
A strong recommend.
4/5
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