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The Devil Wears Prada was one of those highly-anticipated, heavily-hyped summer releases that actually turned out to be worth its hype. Based on the best-selling novel by Lauren Weisenberger (which has since spawned a mass exodus of copycat chick lit), it’s rumored to be about the famously ruthless Vogue editrix Anna Wintour (who, reportedly, showed up at the press preview dressed entirely in Prada). But don’t see The Devil Wears Prada because of the gossip. See it because it’s deliciously entertaining.
As a stepping-stone to a Real Career as a Serious Writer, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) applies for a job at fashion magazine Runway. Channeling young Mia from The Princess Diaries, Andy is positively dowdy—not exactly the kind of girl you’d expect to find at the offices of the country’s top fashion mag. But Andy knows nothing about fashion—which is pretty clear after she admits that she’s never heard of the magazine’s infamous editor, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Somehow, though, she gets the job as Miranda’s second assistant—under the watchful eye of newly-promoted first assistant Emily (Emily Blunt).
It’s not long before Andy’s new job consumes her entire life. Actually, it only takes a few hours. Miranda is a nightmare of a boss who sends Andy on all kinds of impossible errands. And Emily and the rest of the girls at Runway are relentless in their criticism of Andy’s lack of fashion sense. But she needs to last for a year—after which, she’s told, she’ll be able to get a job anywhere. So she turns to Nigel (Stanley Tucci) to teach her the ropes and survive the job.
Not only is watching The Devil Wears Prada entertaining, but I’m pretty sure it’s actually good for your mental health, too. It’s guaranteed to make you hate your own job (and your own boss) just a little bit less.
Meryl Streep deserved every single nomination that this movie earned her. She’s positively brilliant in her demanding role as the world’s most demanding boss. She even does a vulnerable scene without makeup—which, of course, would have won her the Oscar, had Helen Mirren not had to dress all dowdy and walk funny for her role in The Queen. (Seriously, though—it’s a great scene.) In fact, most of the cast is absolutely stellar. While I can definitely understand the decision to cast Anne Hathaway (after the whole Princess Diaries thing), however, the poor girl practically fades into the background when placed in the middle of this cast of strong characters. I don’t blame poor Anne, though. It’s just that her character—while well played—sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
The Devil Wears Prada may have been surrounded by hype when it was released, but after all the hype fades away, you’re still left with a great chick flick. The story is smart and entertaining, the performances are outstanding, and it’s as glossy as the fashion magazine it exposes. If you haven’t already seen it, don’t miss it.
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