The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Meryl Streep, Anna Hathaway, Stanley Tucci

In The Devil Wears Prada actress Meryl Streep captures “the devil, Miranda Priestly”. Priestly is ill-tempered, ill-mannered, self-absorbed and rude. She has no redeeming qualities, except one; she is brilliant at what she does. Priestly, the editor-in-chief of “Runway”, a slick Vogue-like, magazine cannot keep an assistant because she runs them ragged and saps every ounce of their dignity. Enter recent college graduate Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) who has never heard of “Runway” or Miranda Priestly. Just one look at her tells you she does not belong, she does not fit the “Runway” mode; for one thing she dresses for comfort rather than style and, she wants to be a serious writer. For some reason, Priestly hires her. Andy is astounded by her bosses outlandish demands and slave-driver attitude, but has promised herself that she will stay one year at “Runway“. When she complains about the work she is told countless times that “thousands of young women would die for her job.” Andy understands that a resume listing Miranda Priestly and Runway magazine will open magazine doors to her, so she decides to hang tough. She enlists the help of Miranda‘s advisor Nigel (Stanley Tucci) to ‘style her up’ and bring her up to Runway dress code. The first person affected by Andy’s new persona is Emily, Miranda’s number one assistant, who is fiercely protective of her position. After taking the initial step to “Runway” acceptance, Andy makes a decision that changes her personal life as well as her business life.

While watching Meryl Streep here, you realize the depth of her acting skills. She brings Miranda Priestly to life. When Priestly/Streep walks into a room, it belongs to her. Priestly's gently whispered, “no, no’s” and “that’s all’s”, when dismissing her staff and others are downright ego-shattering and the death of a designer‘s dream. This comedy is good fun with great fashions and an inside peek at what goes on inside the fashion industry. The ending is predictable, but getting there is such a delight. Priestly makes you very grateful for the good bosses you have had and brings back terrible memories of your own previous or present “devil.” Is this a chick-flick movie? You bet it is. Grab your gal pals and enjoy.

PG-13

~Vanette Ryanes

Vanette Ryanes is a true movie maven. She has been an avid movie fan for more than 35 years and has a video library of 200 plus movies. She has a vast knowledge of classic black and white, noir and vintage color movies. If you have questions about movies contact Vanette, (Vannie to her friends) for answers, advice and recommendations.