Sassy, stylish, a chick flick based on chick lit that SHINES!!

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2006)

Devil Wears Prada is the kind of film that the female demographic will LOVE!! Not to stereotype but it's full of fashion, sass, triumph, tragedy, tears and laughs. It's a feel good movie with a strong moral center and a movie character that will live on as classic...the devil herself. I have never been a Meryl Streep fan and in fact on numerous occasions have questioned why she is the most nominated Oscar actress but it's a cinch to see that is destined and deserving of her 14th Nomination playing The Devil (more on that later.) The film has a terrific story which I have never read the novel but I think it seems to capture the essence perfectly. While not exactly a laugh out loud comedy it's the type of film that makes you smile because you can relate to the characters and their situations. Everyone has had a tough boss and certainly Andy's is the pinnacle of that and watching Andy deal with her and overcome this situation and job and be the bigger person and learn about her life and desires.
Anne Hathaway takes the lead in yet another adult role as she desperately struggles to make her mark as a serious non-Disney Actress. She'll do it and Devil Wears Prada is a huge step in the right direction, and one she doesn't have to whip out her boobs to prove herself. Even still it seems Hathaway is trying SO hard to prove herself and sometimes it shows so her performance suffers. She was so relate-able in Princess Diaries and her character needed to be relate-able to everyone in this film and she succeeds just not 100%. She gives it about a 75%. Still her character is strong, and outgoing and does everything she can to take on Streep. And on top of that Hathaway DOES hold her own against the amazing Streep. The down side to Hathaway's character is her rather questionable moral standards which fluctuate a great deal throughout the film sometimes making her seem less desirable but she does learn her lesson by the end which is good. Emily Blunt is terrific as well in a small role as Andy's co-worker "Emily." Emily is the typical girl you don't like. Stylish, skinny, and basically a bitch who must get won over by Hathaway's character which she does to an extent. Blunt is believable as a fashionista, and believable as Streep's assistant. Stanley Tucci is terrific in his role as Nigel, the rather direct and harsh fellow Fashion worker who very reluctantly befriends Hathaway. His role could have been bigger because he is great but nonetheless he does terrific. Adrian Grenier is Hathaway's boyfriend, already established in the film who gets pushed aside by Hathaway's ambition. You definitely feel sorry for the guy and he does well in this grown up role as a struggling 20 something chef who always gets shafted by his live in love. They don't really get a fair reunion in the end and I still felt like he could have done better after all she did. And finally...the performance of the film...The Devil herself Meryl Streep as the infamous Miranda Priestly. Priestly is just evil. She's cunning, cold blooded, completely emotionless, demanding, horrific, and yet the most respected woman in fashion and Editor and Chief of Runway magazine. Streep's performance is drop dead amazing, one of the best of the year. Her Devil is so not outwardly evil but has this slow, quiet, subtle way of worming her way into the viewers loving to hate her. She has terrific dialog and every line she speaks drips with disdain and serious conceit. The fact that Hathaway idolizes her in some ways is actually understandable because she is so powerful. Streep MUST get an Oscar nod for this role.
Hathaway and Streep's chemistry is remarkably terrific and yet Streep's character is never impressed, and never shows it despite the eventual mutual admiration. This whole film relies on and flourishes because of Streep's character and Andy's entire adventure working at Runway. Director David Frankel definitely carries over his Sex and The City experience to create a film definitely aimed at the female population and I'm sure it hits the mark. Much of the fashion humor was way over head (and fortunately I had my girlfriend there to explain it to me) and I must be insane but the numerous references to Anne Hathaway's weight MUST be fashion sarcasm to show the fickle and absurd opinions of the fashion industry. She is even referred to as "not skinny" on several occasions. Ummm yeah...not so much a good impression on young girls since Hathaway is skinny as a rail. The fashion in the film is very chique and definitely not the average person's fashion but the film is truly remarkable and a must see!! 8.5/10 (HUGE 9/10 for Streep's performance.)