Meryl Streep's best performance of the decade

Rating: 8/10 (7 August 2009)

"The Devil Wears Prada" is not sheik in how it presents its material- its more pretty and layered. However, the costumes (designed by Oscar-nominee Patricia Field) certainly hold all the weight of a runway show.
This was a film that probably would have been shelved into oblivion had it not been for Meryl Streep being attached to the project. Haven lost a lot of weight, dyed her hair a platinum white, and walking in with flamboyant coats, Ms. Streep seems born to play Miranda Priestley, the fierce and ruthless editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine. She allegedly based her parody off real life editor-in-chief boss from hell Anna Wintour (from Vogue), though changed her accent to American and toned down her process of dialect to a more subtle and observant tone.
So as much as I loved watching Meryl sink her teeth into her best work of the decade (her line "Why is no one ready?" during a meeting is perhaps one of the best line deliveries I have ever witnessed), I couldn't help but cringe at Anne Hathaway's shrewd appearance, whiny manner and consistency of being a royal pain in the butt. I didn't mind Streep (or the great Emily Blunt) bossing the new assistant around because frankly she needed a dose of reality- what would-be New York journalist doesn't research the boss she's going to work for? "The Devil Wears Prada" is basically Hathaway's journey into self-identity, complete with a hot boyfriend on the side and irritable friends to boot- as well as impossible tasks to do for Miranda (the best being to fetch the never-yet published Harry Potter manuscript).
Eight stars out of ten ain't bad considering seven belong to Streep. If Helen Mirren hadn't stolen the Oscar that was meant for Meryl in 2006, we wouldn't be complaining for the academy to hand over a third Oscar for the lighter "Julie & Julia". But Streep embarks a clean technique in the way she handles the character, presents her anthologies, and dresses the body (Streep probably has NEVER looked better on screen, and she's 56).
So please see this comedy-drama, if only to see Streep and Stanley Tucci teach the less talented Anne Hathaway how to have some true respect for the work force, and also engage in a laugh or to.
FINAL GRADE: A- (all for Streep and the costumes)