It is hilarious when the film industry creates a film such as “The Devil Wears Prada”, a comical nightmare about an assistant suffering at the hands of her monstrous superstar editor. In an industry that prides itself on crushing its underlings, does it not notice the mirror it stares into during dailies? In spite or probably because of this, creative executives know first hand the tragic hazing process a young innocent goes through to survive in the cruel city.
Homely Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) wins the job of a lifetime, assistant to fashion superstar editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Striving for a career in journalism, she takes her job lightly and resents the venom she suffers at the hand of her boss. After a fashion guru (Stanley Tucci) pulls a Pygmalion, turning the ugly duckling into a swan, Andy drops her old life, including her friends and her lover (Adrian Grenier, “Entourage”) for the fast paced world of Dolce and Gabbana.
“Prada” is based on a novel of the same name, which was in fact written by a former Vogue staffer. Streep’s character earns the “devil” moniker not only because she’s an ice queen, but also because she can be so corrupting. “The Devil Wears Prada” is about a boss opening doors at the cost of a child’s soul. This is Faust in Jimmy Choo shoes.
Many actresses would reek of megalomania and brutality as Priestly, but Streep flows through her scenes, not necessarily vicious, but perhaps oblivious of her insolence towards her assistants. It’s almost a subtle performance as she tosses her bag and coats on Andy’s desks because it’s just what is done. In her mind, one denigrates an assistant as one breathes or drinks water. As played by Streep, her orders and insults are primal and necessary to the natural order. It’s not a neurotic performance as many other actresses would have played. This delightful performance will probably earn Streep yet another Oscar nod. Devil Wears Prada: B
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