A well thought out comedy that has something for everyone

Rating: 7/10 (4 July 2006)

My girlfriend was dying to see 'the Devil Wears Prada' after having seen previews and read the book upon which the film is based. I was curious about the film after seeing the previews, and having a great deal of respect for Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway, I thought that it would at least have some strong performances.
'The Devil Wears Prada' is a very enjoyable film with a well developed script and fine performances all around. While it is obviously marketed as a typical "chick-flick", it sets itself apart from the crowd by being a biting, dark comedy about the boss-from-hell that anybody can relate to. In that, even your average guy -- like me -- will be more than amused by the setup and scenarios as they play out.
Meryl Streep proves yet again that she is a force to be reckoned with who can turn any part into something wonderfully memorable. Her portrayal of a fashion magazine editor who chews her assistants up and spits them out before lunch is fantastic to watch. Her performance is certainly not based on dialog, as her discussions on the nature of fashion and her complete lack of regard for anything that doesn't fit into her schedule does not provide any real depth in words. The strength in her performance is in the delivery, and she more than proves why she is oft considered the greatest living actress.
While Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway both provide excellent performances, the real standout amongst the rest of the cast has to be Emily Blunt who portrays a brown-nosing, self-absorbed assistant who supplies a great deal of the more memorable moments of the film. Her principle position in the film is of consistently standing in the way of Anne Hathaway's character, only to have the tables turned in hilarious fashions, and in this she simply shines. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she certainly proves that she is easily of the same caliber as the principle cast members.
In the end, the film does end up wrapping itself up a little too easily and provides a somewhat disappointing Hollywood style ending. But, obviously the film was designed for a certain audience so it cannot be faulted for attempting to match the expectations of those who would pay for a ticket. Even then, 'the Devil Wears Prada' is a fun, light-hearted and well crafted film that could easily be enjoyed by just about anybody.