NoFace for Film

Title: The Devil Wears Prada
Year: 2006
Direcor: David Frankel
Starring Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway
Rated: PG-13

NoFace for Film rating: 5 out of 7

When I reviewed the trailer for The Devil Wears Prada a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I liked what I saw in the trailer and was interested in watching this movie. Last night I finally got a chance to see it.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada focuses on a naive college graduate named Andrea (Hathaway) who finds herself in Manhattan looking for a job. She ends up as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Streep), the editor-in-chief of Runway, one of the most prestigious (fictional) fashion magazines in the world. Andrea quickly finds out that Miranda terrifies everyone around her, to the point that people don’t even want to share the elevator with her. Miranda is domineering, nearly impossible to please, and overly demanding. The rest of the movie focuses on Andrea’s struggles in keeping up as Miranda’s assistant while trying to stay true to herself and her friends.

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. It was funny but not in a slapstick way, and Streep was naturally excellent in the title role. Rather than play Miranda as a predictable, harpy bitch, Streep took the ice queen route. Her Miranda didn’t bark her orders; she delivered her stinging remarks to Andrea and her other subordinates in a calm, cool, and collected manner. Stanley Tucci was also terrific in his supporting role as Nigel, Runway’s creative director. He delivers his one liners perfectly, with just the right zing. I also like the fact that although Nigel was gay, Tucci chose to play him in a much more subdued manner. I’m really sick and tired of the stereotypical obnoxious, flamboyantly gay sidekick in movies and TV (e.g., Will and Grace, Sex and the City). Hathaway did a great job holding her own against a powerhouse actress like Streep. Her Andrea is convincing as a sweet and naive girl who gets sucked into the insane, fast paced world of fashion.

Granted, certain parts of the plot are somewhat predictable. It was given that Andrea’s long hours and extremely demanding boss will cause a rift between her and friends and boyfriend (played by the very very pretty, blue-eyed Adrien Grenier), and when she meets the dashing writer Christian Thompson (played by Simon Baker), he would be a potential rival for Andrea’s affections. Regardless, after I read the Wikipedia summary on the novel and noted the differences between it and the film, I have to say that I personally perferred the film version of the story. Not only does the movie eliminate some unnecessary characters from the book, but other characters are reduced in importance. Furthermore, I preferred the slightly tamer, “Hollywood” ending of the film.

If you’re in the mood for a witty, funny movie with awesome actors and want to take a break for the big, summer blockbusters, then The Devil Wears Prada is for you.

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