Surprisingly subdued, but unremarkably so.

Rating: 6/10 (11 July 2014)

The Devil Wears Prada has always been claimed one of those 'good' chick-flicks, in a crowd with films like Mean Girls where they appeal to a broader audience. I was willing to give it a go since I liked the cast but unfortunately the film treads so lightly that it doesn't seem to break free of average. Granted, it doesn't tend to make any mistakes that other chick-flicks in its mould would do, and to call it a chick-flick is misleading as that implicates romance and comedy. It has them, but in short supply. It's a drama, and that's fine though unexpected on my behalf, but it doesn't seem to have much drama to it either. Its strongest item in its wardrobe is the reliable and colourful production and costume design. Streep, Hathaway and Tucci are good and effortless but unremarkable even at their best. Perhaps I was expecting something else but The Devil Wears Prada is merely solid and disappointedly subdued as it's not insightful or personally identifiable enough to work as a straight drama. At least it's not as juvenile as it could be.
6/10