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Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has a dream. Recently graduated from Brown University, she has moved to New York to start her world-changing career in journalism. Of course she needs a job first, and pickings are pretty slim. It’s either Auto Universe or Runway, the premier fashion magazine in the country, if not the world. So Andy toddles along for the interview with editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), little realising what she is getting herself into. Miranda is renowned for two things: her awesome power in the fashion world, and the pain she inflicts on her staff. Though Andy is, by Runway’s standards, overweight and completely without style, Miranda nonetheless decides to give “the smart, fat girl” a chance, instead of the “stylish, slender, disappointing type” she has fired so often. Andy is thrilled at first, but soon comes to regret the decision as Miranda heaps more and more impossible tasks on her.
Review:
The Devil Wears Prada is the kind of witty, endearing romp that is impossible to dislike. Despite the fact that the ugly-duckling-becomes-swan plot is overused, and the moral message – career girls are unhappy – is simplistic, the movie is stuffed too full of delights to miss.
At the top of the list is the superb cast. Though Meryl Streep needs no introduction, she is on particularly good form here. Her character, allegedly inspired by the fearsome Vogue editor Anna Wintour, could easily have been played as broad caricature. Instead Streep takes the high road, giving the character depth and credibility while still having a good deal of fun with the part. Her soft-spoken, permanently bored devil-boss is the comedic and dramatic lynch pin around which the movie turns.
At the other end of the scale is Anne Hathaway, as loveable as always, in yet another one of her Cinderella roles. Her performance is no less effective than Streep’s, it’s just a shame to see her back in the mould she seemed to have escaped with her brilliant turn in Brokeback Mountain. Still, watching her transform into a fashionista is extremely good fun and it’s hard to think of anyone as winsomely fresh-faced for the role.
The supporting cast are equally good, with Stanley Tucci stealing the show as a bitchy fashion guru named Nigel. Tucci is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, so it’s always a treat to see him on screen, particularly when he is obviously having so much fun with the part. Another face to look out for is gorgeous newcomer Adrian Grenier as Andy’s boyfriend Nate. He is making waves in the US with his leading role in TV’s Entourage and, to look at him, you can see why. He doesn’t do much in the way of acting here, but he looks set to become a huge star.
A feast both for fashionistas and those who despise the industry, the movie often comes across as an excuse to dress its winning cast in marvellous couture creations. Director David Frankel, who made such a success of TV’s Sex and the City, has cannily recruited his fashion guru on the show, Patricia Field, to oversee the costumes. And Field certainly rises to the occasion, slathering the film in galaxy of fabulous frocks, shoes, bags, coats, scarves and jewellery. And it’s all real, with garments from designers like Valentino, Donna Karan and Galiano, as well as Chanel’s latest couture collection.
However pretty and amusing it is, The Devil Wears Prada is never more than a set of delightful parts that add up to less than they should. When in full stride it’s a lot of fun to watch, particularly as Hathaway goes from frump to glamour girl, but as you near the finish you can’t help feel slightly disappointed. All the grown-up glamour distracts temporarily from the weakness of the plot, but in the end this is not much more than a bitchier version of The Princess Bride. And for a movie with such great dress sense, it sure doesn’t know how to leave a room.
- Alistair Fairweather
