devilwearsprada

AC/AL 2006 109m ENGLISH

CAST: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Adrian Grenier, Simon Baker, Tracie Thoms & Rich Sommer

CREDITS: Director: David Frankel; Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger; Producer: Wendy Finerman; Director of Photography: Florian Ballhaus; Production Designer: Jeff Gonchor; Editor: Mark Livolsi; Costume Designer: Patricia Field; Music: Theodore Shapiro

THE SYNOPSIS

New York. The Big City. There are many stories in the great metropolis. One such is that of young Andrea “Andy” Sachs (Hathaway)--fresh from graduating college as a journalism major and interviewing for an assistant position at fashion rag Runway.

Except Andy has no fashion sense whatsoever and is probably not qualified to work for Runway editor and empress Miranda Priestly (Streep). The lovely, yet plain girl also comes under the scrutiny of Miranda’s bitchy English assistant Emily (Blunt)--who instantly dislikes her new charge.

Either way, Andy is hired to work as Miranda’s second assistant. It will definitely be a trial of the soul for the idealistic Andy. At least she’s got her loving boyfriend Nate (Grenier) as a support base and--just as importantly--Miranda’s right-hand designer Nigel (Tucci)--a flamboyant yet perceptive person.

At first horrified by this corn-fed, midwestern collegiate girl, Nigel goes about changing her wardrobe completely! Over time, Andy becomes a Runway employee, both in mind and wardrobe (think Gucci, Dolce, Prada, etc.). Even Miranda, ever-demanding and ever-shrill, notices the changes in Andy. Over Emily’s objections, Miranda promotes Andy to first assistant.

To add more spice to the mix, the newer, sexier Andy draws the attentions of hunky author/reporter Christian Thompson (Baker). She is smtten, but still has feelings for Nate--but her new job is taking a toll on their relationship and he leaves her. And just in time, as Miranda takes Andy to Paris on business. While covering a haute couture event, Andy does find time to have a fling with Christian. But she later realizes that it was a mistake, as he turns out to be a real jerk.

She also comes to realize that the Faustian life Miranda leads is not one that Andy wants for herself. Can she pull herself away from the glitz and glam, rekindle a relationship with Nate (who’s moving to Boston for a new job) and get her own career back on track? Forget all that crap! More importantly, does she get to keep the fabulous wardrobe that Nigel gave her?

THE CRITIQUE

Who knew that fashion was the apex of a society? Obviously not I (but then again, I shop for clothes at Old Navy and wherever else my girlfriend drags me to when she feels I need a new getup)...

Almost faithfully-adapted (by scribe Aline Brosh McKenna) from the best-selling book by former fashion assistant Lauren Weisberger, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA comes alive thanks to the acting chops of its thespians, the sharp & acerbic screenplay and the glossy production values emanating from behind the camera.

While the main character of Miranda Priestly is (in all likelihood) based on her former boss, Vogue editor Anna Wintour (as well as a composite of other fashionistas), Meryl Streep makes the character all her own. Frosty, sharp, illumin-ating, smart--and that’s just her hairdo! I’m serious, we should make Miranda Priestly the head of Homeland Security; those terrorist bastards won’t know what hit ‘em! By the way, Meryl Streep rightfully earned another Oscar© nomination for her role here.

Her cinematic sparring partner is the up-and-coming young actress Anne Hathaway (from those cute Princess Diaries movies and she with the bared hooters in Brokeback Mountain). Young Miss Hathaway nearly holds her own on the screen opposite Ms. Streep. Almost.

Also enjoyed Stanley Tucci, in a role probably based on many wonderful people I’ve known over the years. Oh, and I can’t forget British actress Emily Blunt as the harried (and possibly cuckoo) first assistant. This cutie can have a career here for a long time! (I just might have to add her to list of hot British actresses--see the 5th paragraph of The Critique section of my review on Click)

As helmed by HBO director David Frankel (Entourage/Sex And The City/Band Of Brothers/From The Earth To The Moon), TDWP moves along very nicely, gets solid performances from his cast and exhibits a sexy look.

Some of this credit must go to German cinematographer Florian Ballhaus (Flightplan)--who is, of course, the son of great German DP and frequent Martin Scorcese collaborator Michael Ballhaus (GoodFellas/Gangs Of New York/Bram Stoker’s Dracula). Those creative genes for cinematography must’ve been passed down to Florian because TDWP looks terrific! The glossy, widescreen-lensing is easily the best technical aspect of this movie.

Must give a shout-out to the terrific production design (by Capote PD Jess Gonchor), costuming (by Sex And The City costumer Patricia Field) and location shooting in NYC and Paris, France. You know, it’s nice to see a movie that takes place in the Big Apple was actually shot there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A glossy and amusing take on the cat-fighting world of fashion. Just so you know, screen legend Meryl Streep owns the picture. TDWP is entertaining and sharp, but not necessarily for the plebeians known as the Mass Market.

Don’t count me as one, because I was given a crash course in fashion by my sister Sabrina and her friend Michelle right before the movie started. Oh, am I sounding a little too elitist? Tell it to my high-priced lawyer, as I drive away in my Ferrari, wearing soft Gucci loafers and a fabulous Christian Dior ensemble...