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Review #169 of 365
Film: The Devil Wears Prada [PG-13] 106 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $9.25
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavillions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 30 June 2006
Time: 8:05 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Suzanne R. of Seattle, WA
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger and bearing a title that Mike Meyer's SNL character, Coffee Talk Show Host, Linda Richman, could have used as a topic for people to discuss amongst themselves when she's all verklempt because the film is about neither Satan nor specifically Prada, The Devil Wears Prada is a slightly better than average summer comedy. With Meryl Streep playing 'the devil', Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of the most prominent fashion magazine on the planet and very well convinced that every single decision she makes affects every single thing anyone wears anywhere on the planet, and Anne Hathaway playing Andie her mousey, fashion senseless, Northwestern University journalism major, understudy, and second assistant, one would expect great acting. For the most part, that expectation travels straight down the runway and takes off. The story itself, however, starts off with a great premise. How does one deal with a boss that has no regard for those beneath her on the social ladder, no concern for any opinion that's not her own, lacks any social grace when it comes to employees, and treats everyone like they are a huge disappointment regardless of actual achievement or accomplishment? Yest, unfortunately, the story crashes as it fails to deliver great insight in the end except that maybe Miranda is outwardly a shade darker than inside and Andie can accomplish her goals without selling her soul to the devil after all. This is small satisfaction given the tumultuous lesson Andie endures in learning to be loyal to a woman who seems to have spent summers with Narnia's Ice Queen, autumns with Leona Helmsley, winters with Imelda Marcos, and spring times with Elizabeth Bathory.
"…fine performances, in a film and story that had a devil of a time becoming relevant."
Ultimately, the main problem with the story line is that while character growth is a vital component to any great story, it is less significant if it is not long-lasting. It isn't clear that either Andie has learned anything for the long run, nor that Miranda won't repeat exactly the same set of circumstances that lead her to a failed personal life over and over again. I wasn't yearning necessarily for a very happy ending. I was hoping for a bit more in the way of character growth and realization that sacrifice for little more than gains in power and wealth often lead to a very shallow and unsatisfying existence. The messages the film delivers in the end is that if you suffer under the worst and prevail, she will give you a recommendation for the job you really want.
"With…one source of comedy, it seemed to go out of fashion quite early in the film leaving only remnants of jokes to be sold off at Filene's Basement three for $5. "
Meanwhile, the film is humorous only if watching the ever-increasingly maniacal ways Miranda develops to humiliate, denigrate, and belittle everyone around her to prove her own superiority is something you find funny. Perhaps it is for a few minutes. With this as the one source of comedy, however, it went out of fashion quickly leaving only remnants of jokes to be sold off at Filene's Basement three for $5. Still, Stanley Tucci puts in a fine performance as a fashion editor for the magazine, and Adrian Grenier was soulful as Andie's boyfriend, Nate. Emily Blunt also does a very good job portraying Miranda's first assistant whose main job is to train her own replacement—little does she realize how good a job she is doing—poor darling. So, again, fine performances, in a film and story that had a devil of a time becoming relevant. Meryl Streep remains my favorite actress of all time as her portrayal here of Miranda Priestly was stunning and incredible as always. In big or small roles, she commands the screen. Still, even she is not enough to make David Frankel's production of The Devil Wears Prada into a film worth paying a lot more than an average amount of money to see.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Meryl Streep
• Anne Hathaway • Stanley TucciSimon Baker
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The Devil Wears Prada Review-lite [150-word cap]
Based on Lauren Weisberger's novel and bearing a title that SNL's Coffee Talk host, Linda Richman, could have used as a topic for people to discuss when she's all verklempt because the film is about neither Satan nor specifically Prada, The Devil Wears Prada is a mostly average summer comedy. With Meryl Streep ruthlessly playing 'the devil', Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of the most prominent fashion magazine on the planet, and Anne Hathaway playing Andie, her mousey, fashion senseless, journalism major, understudy, one would expect great acting. Unfortunately, the film delivers no great insight except that Miranda is outwardly a shade darker than inside and Andie can accomplish her goals without selling her soul to the devil. The film has but one source of comedy, and it seemed to go out of fashion quite early leaving only remnants of jokes to be sold off at Filene's Basement three for $5.
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