I reckon that the value of this film is NOT dependant on the way it ends, and so I have reviewed the whole film, including the last 5 minutes. Sadly that has annoyed some readers, so I have now inserted this warning to you.! **** If you prefer to read reviews of films that are truncated by witholding of important aspects of the film's purpose and message, and in particular, the way in which the script writer has constructed the closing 5 minutes, you should look elsewhere for a review of this film.!?? ******
Having written my review in Ciao Cafe, I was advised that it should have been written here under film and DVD. So essentially, the two reviews are more or less identical. The cinema experience adds a little bit over home viewing of a DVD, because there are several really witty moments in the film, that a large audience responds to en masse.
Miranda ( see later in review itself ) - is trying to cover up her emotions at the death of her marriage, and is asked thoughtfully, by her assistant, Andie, if there is anything she can do for her - to which Miranda says, 'Yes, your job '. The whole cinema laughed out loud.
On another occasion, Miranda demands that Andie get copies of the script of the next Harry Potter book for her two daughters. Andie does so in the nick of time and thumps down a copy on Miranda's desk. Miranda unkindly
suggets that one copy is no good when she has two daughters. Andie tells her that she is perfectly aware of that and that she has already supplied Miranda's daughters with individual bound copies of the manuscript - it's a class moment, when the whole cinema responded with joy.!
So I would preface the repeat of my review, by suggesting that this is a good film for a public experience - and I say that without any commission from the film corporations.!
1 Occasion """""""""""""""
On Thursday night, I took Mrs B to see "The Devil Wears Prada". And before you all scream,'That's impossible, its only on release tonight', let me gently put you in your place. I received two tickets - free what's more - to a preview of the film in the Dublin Road cinema in Belfast. So here you have a review that is hotter than the film itself.!
2 Storyline """"""""""""""
Meryl Streep plays Miranda who is in charge of a major section of the New York fashion industry - the Runway Fashion Magazine. She is cast as a devil of a boss, who bullies her staff with unreasonable demands, and is looking for yet another replacement in her little twosome of personal assistants. She plumps this time for a journalist, Andie, who is unemployed and has no fashion sense, but looks like an efficient slave. One wonders about New York's employment laws on bullying, if this is at all representative of what goes on in the industry.!
Andie begins her new short term job intent on retaining her integrity and principles. She experiences the 'devil's' anger, disdain, and venom. Just when she is at breaking point, Andie decides to stay and slog this one out. The remainder of the film shows just how brilliant she is as she assumes the 'devil's' mindset and values, and loses her friends and relationships in the process.
5 minutes to go, and Andie quits the devil's employment, and returns to the world of the sane and poor.
3 Philosophies. """"""""""""""""""""
I was not sure at the end, what the book or the film were really trying to do. Was this simply a witty, enjoyable piece of romantic, girlie cinema ? - if the laughs and titters of the predominantly girlie audience were anything to go by, the film does work at this level, very well. Streep is her usual brilliant self.
Is this a message about the vanity and emptiness of the world of fashion.? It certainly ridicules the whole culture of designer labels, big names and fashion trendsetting. But it is a bit too obvious and blatant to make a point at this level - it would have been much more effective if it had been much more subtle on that issue.
Is this a message about the harshness of the work place and the tyranny of those in higher management? I thought the film might be trying to do that, especially since the book's author was a victim of that ethos. But for me, that aspect of the message was too overt in the film. And the fashion world and its magazines, are a bit too remote from everyday life for most viewers. They would not be likely to leave the cinema pondering the issue deeply.
Is this a message about the nature of temptation? Andie is 'got at' by this 'devil,' not as a result of the harshness, abusiveness and bullying of the 'devil', but by the attractiveness of this 'devil'. Miranda's 'success' may be shallow and cruel, but Andie begins to be attracted to it. Andie becomes a 'devil' herself and is only redeemed at the very last minute - or 5 - in the film.
I left the cinema thinking this was a deliberate philosophical point being made by the film-makers, and one that I could well allude to in some of my future sermons !?! It was worked into the film with subtlety. and so I think it was effective. If Jesus could allude to the satanic as "sheep in wolf's clothing", then "the Devil wearing Prada" is a pretty good parallel.
Before you accuse me of being naive, and reading more into films than was intended, let me assure you, I know the danger.! I have people read more into my sermons than I ever intended, too! But Meryl Streep is my heroine - and I reckon she would only choose a script that had a bit of depth to it - so I believe .... that you should see it and make up your own mind.
Conclusion """""""""""""""
This is an enjoyable movie, and might just be destined for greatness. If it arrives, remember you read about it hear, first of all. I may not wear Prada, but I saw the film before you did !!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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