A Bad Lesson for Women with Professional Aspirations

Rating: 8/10 (25 November 2007)

First let me say, I really enjoy this movie. I think Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep both do a tremendous job acting in this movie and that the movie is well put together and well executed. But, I am insulted by the message throughout the movie.
Another user commented that this movie's message is "to thine own self be true." And I do agree with this, but I think that Andrea has to deal with far too much grief from her friends and family while she is simply trying to pursue her dream. Overall, I believe the message in this movie discourages women from pursuing their professional dreams at the cost of their social lives and in the end, oversimplifies and degrades the reason Andrea completely put herself into her job, when Nate says she did it for the clothes and the shoes. Though it was apparent she enjoyed her new appearance, that was never how I felt she behaved. She should be commended for doing what it takes to get the job done, for not giving up, and for pursuing her dream, even if it came in a different form from what she expected. She excelled in her position. It's appalling how unsupportive and disrespectful her friends and family are. Being someone who has worked in the entertainment industry for a very similar high-maintenance boss, I can relate to Andrea and her experience. Thankfully, my friends and family were much more supportive and understanding of the commitment that it took to undertake such a position. Not to mention, in this movie, her friends are able to pursue their dreams (don't cooks generally also have to put in a lot of hours?) and don't give her the same respect.
I just think that this is a poor lesson. It is not so simple as "to thine own self be true" but is more like a lesson for women to forget their careers and follow their friends and family.