All the clichés, but...

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2007)

Meryl Streep saved this film, but, Emily Blunt deserves honorable mention in a tale that fell into place about five minutes into viewing it.
"The Devil Wears Prada" doesn't follow a specific path that makes it outstanding among film. Nor, does it present a 'fresh and new' story that should make it rise above the films this year, or, even better, the last ten years. In fact, it's pretty formulated as far as plot goes.
You have the misfit (Anne Hathaway) Andrea, who doesn't fit in with the job she's thrown into. You have the Ice Queen (Meryl Streep) Miranda who hires her anyway, and you have the Lady in Waiting (Emily Blunt) who is well qualified to succeed in a world that she's been brainwashed to believe is the Holy Grail. But, as far as movies go, we know who will win who over, who will move ahead, and who will graciously agree to step aside while the underdog has their glory.
What makes the difference is the characters. Stock as they are, "TDWP" provides us with two characters who actually take themselves seriously...Streep who epitomizes the 'don't mess with me kid' persona, and Blunt whom you actually give a damn about.
So, for that reason, see "The Devil Wears Prada." The characters are too good to miss...even though the plot has been seen before.