Gucci, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Glamour and Glitz. Most girls dream of being in this world. Surrounded by perfect people, drinking cocktails and parties whilst dawn. Yet in reality is it all its cracked up to be? Surviving on a single Star Bucks Cafe Latte whilst evening and being frowned upon for not having the latest 'IT' bag. Mix this together with the boss from hell and here you have Andi Sachs..

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After reading the original book by Lauren Weisberger and being utterly transfixed and besotted with it I eagerly awaited the film to see if it lived up to my mental dream of it. So last night with nothing to do, nobody to see and only ourselves for company.. ho hum, I dragged the OH kicking and screaming to watch this worldwide blockbuster of a chick flick. Armed with a bag of minstrels and a somewhat rose tinted view of what to expect.. here is what I thought.

The Actors..
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Anne Hathaway is an up and coming Hollywood actress at the mere age of 23. Its times like this I feel old. I've loved her past work including Ella Enchanted and the Princess Diaries film and she has a magical innocence to every character she portrays. She plays Andi Sachs, one of the key characters whom the film is based around. She is a dowdily dressed, laid back young girl who has just left college and aspires to be a writer at 'The New Yorker'. Clueless about fashion and all that goes with it she is refreshingly naive and hugely in love with her boyfriend Nate. With a hungry appetite that includes carbs, she is a size 6 which is quickly frowned upon by her new colleagues at Runway who are all size 4 or below. Her transformation from dorky geek to stunning fashionista is very impressive!

Meryl Streep AKA The Devil. Editor in Charge of 'Runway' Magazine', the most influential fashion magazine in the United States Miranda Priestly dominates her staff by fear. She is ruthless in her pursuits and a huge control freak. Impeccably dressed, her outside beautiful appearance masks an iron like rule she holds on all those around her. She is very demanding, impossibly so at times and thrives on pushing her staff to the upmost stress levels to fill her needs. Everything has to be delivered when she says so, to every last detail. If she wants a star bucks coffee on her desk in 2 minutes, it has to be there. No ifs or buts. Her tone of voice and piercing devil like stare can freeze even the most hardened member of staff to the floor. Hugely respected by designers and staff for her talent she also has a reputation before her of being a witch to work for. Rumours are this character was based upon Anna Wintour, the US Vogue Editor, although these understandably are vigorously denied!

Emily played by Emily Blunt is Miranda's first assistant. When Miranda says jump she jumps. She worships the ground Miranda walks on and aspires to be just like her. Her life is dominated by wearing the latest designer clothes and getting down to a size 0 by constantly being on a diet. At one point in the film she tells Andi she is on a new diet that when you feel like your just on the brink of fainting from starvation, you eat something. Ridiculously clouded judgement, she scorns anyone who eats carbohydrates and her ultimate dream is to escort Miranda to the Paris runway shows.

Nigel played by Stanley Tucci is a very camp, clued up Fashion editor working alongside Miranda at Runway. Brilliant at his job and with aspirations and the talent to do far and above what his job role entails he is just waiting for the day when he gets promoted. A confidante and great support to Andi, he has been there, seen it and done it all. Very tongue in cheek with his realistic perceptions of the fashion world his caustic remarks and wit are a key part of his character.

The Basic Storyline If you Aren't clued up..
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Andi applies for a job at Runway with no prior idea of what it entails. She has no idea who Miranda is or how powerful she is in the fashion industry and she seriously underestimates the amount of work she will have to take on by getting the assistants job, trained by Emily. She wins over Miranda at her interview by giving an impassioned speech about why she wants the job and how although she doesn't fit in she would work her butt off. Herein begins the transformation of this geeky, innocent young girl into a chic, adrenalin pumped fashion assistant. The initial period she has to work for Miranda is 12 months and then Andi decides she will leave to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer helped by her experience at Runway.. But will she make it through the 12 months? ::cue mysterious music::

Miranda tests Andi at every corner giving her dubious tasks to test if shes up to the job. For instance, She asks Andi to obtain the latest manuscript of the next Harry Potter book for her twin girls that hasn't been published yet. She also gives her a 3 hour time limit as the twins are due to travel and she requires it for them to read on the train. Andi is dumbstruck but faced with the threat by Miranda that if she doesn't get the book she will lose her job, she at once starts phoning around her contacts trying to get the elusive manuscript. Will she get it in time?

A key part of the film is Andi's relationship with Nate. Young sweethearts and first love at the beginning of the film they are stuck together, they never leave each other side and are obviously very much in love. Nate encourages Andi to do whatever it takes to get to her dream job but is surprised by the route she takes as Andi has never shown an interest in fashion. Which is obvious by what she wears throughout the opening scenes (see the turquoise cable knit jumper scene!) As Andi progresses in her time at Runway there relationship is strained to say the least. Andi puts Miranda before everyone and her cell phone never stops ringing day or night, even Nates birthday celebrations are put on the back burner when Andi is demanded by Miranda to attend a fashion event. As her relationship crumbles around her, Andi is tempted by a gorgeous hunky writer who is quickly gaining a reputation in the US as the best upcoming talent they have...

Simon Baker plays Christian Thompson. The hunky mysterious writer who quickly takes a shine to Andi as they bump into each other at various Fashion Events. His suave, smooth charming way encapsulates the world Andi has gotten herself into. He pursues her making her cast doubt over her relationship with Nate. Ultimately making her consider what she really wants out of life.

Here lies the moral of the story. Should you stay true to yourself or change your personality and what makes you 'you' to fit in with a fake world where looks mean everything?

Differences between the book and the film..
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There has been a vast amount of elements from the book cut out, sometimes to the detriment of the story. Here are a few I noticed~

Andi's Best Friend Lily - In the book she is on the road to alcoholism and keeps fetching unwholesome men home to where she and Andi live. She is a key part of the novel highlighting Andis eventual change of personality. However on screen they don't live together at all more so Lily is hardly featured. When she does its just the odd line in a wine bar poking fun at Andi. The character is utterly forgettable. Also her part in the ending of the novel (car crash leading to a coma) is bereft on film. She disappears without a trace. Sadly. I think this underused actress could have been used to great effect to show Andi's relationship with friends outside of the workplace. Andis family also make little or no appearance apart from a small appearance from her father.

Miranda is harsher in the novel - This is what I found disappointing. Although Streep excels herself in what I expect to be an Oscar nominated performance, on paper her character read more fearful, nastier and abusive. I was surprised to find on the film it reveal a subtle but obvious close connection between Miranda and Andi. Knowing looks here and then and small but significant smiles were obsolete in the novel. I think this may have been to appeal to younger viewers as the film was rated PG. It does feel like the film has been given more leeway to provide viewers with what they want, rather than what made a good novel. Miranda being a bitch and us all hating her rather than showing her compassion by the end of the film would have been a much better ending in my opinion!

Doug - Doug appears onscreen as a friend of Andi's although again his appearances are few and far apart. However, in the novel there was no reference to him and his character never existed. I wondered why he was put there and what his use was as this was never made apparent?

The Ending *WARNING SPOILER ALERT!!!!!*
I loved the ending in the book, it had the gusto, bravery and fiercenessless we all wanted Andi to have when she told Miranda in no certain terms where to go. Granted, the use of swearing would maybe have been a surprise to young kids watching but it was needed! After the way Miranda treated Andi, with contempt and disrespect throughout the book, we all were waiting for the final blowout scene. But then came the films ending. Sigh. Disappointing. Again playing to softening and dumbing down the books realistic approach we were instead left with Andi walking away from Miranda and tossing her cell phone into a fountain and flying back home to Nate. Mildly satisfying but Miranda deserved more than just that. I wish they had stuck with the original ending and given it more bite but que sera.

The Soundtrack
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For me was a highlight of the film, its contempary funk feel had me wanting to stand up and boogie throughout. The songs highlighted scenes and gave them that extra punch. All modern artists which added to the vibe of the fashion scene and the parties they went to, I loved it! From the obvious Madonna - Vogue song which surmises' Andi's transformation into a stylish pleb to U2 - City of Blinding Lights which gave me tingles. But the most curious and unanswered question is where is the critical opening song which plays for 3 minutes and is nowhere to be seen on the CD?! KT Tunstall - Suddenly I see should (if I could put that in bold I would) be on this CD and its an utter wrong doing that its not. Barhar to the producers!

The Song list is below -

1. Vogue - Madonna
2. Bittersweet Faith- Bitter:sweet
3. City of Blinding Lights - U2
4. Seven Days in Sunny June - Jamiroquai
5. Crazy - Alanis Morissette
6. Beautiful - Moby
7. How Come - Ray LaMontagne
8. Sleep - Azure Ray
9. Feelin' Hypnotized [Black Liquid Remix] - DJ Colette
10. Tres Tres Chic - Mocean Worker
11. Here I Am [Kaskade Radio Edit] - Keenan, Tamra, David Morales
12. Suite from the Devil Wears Prada - Theodore Shapiro

Apart from the obvious error in not including the most important song from the film!!! This is a fabulous CD to get ready to for a night out. Girls around the world will love it.

Performances
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Streep - Blows the rest of the cast away in what is a brilliant performance. Her pale skin, flawless complexion and appearance and ruthless approach to her workload and the structure of the day begs the question if she is actually human?! Or is she as the title suggests the devil incarnate. I'm sure those who worked for her would beg to agree with the latter. Streep accurately captures the essence of the book and the atmosphere she creates with her scared witless minions is a joy to behold! She has everything down to a tee, even the tone of voice she uses to dismiss Andi ' That will be all' and the sneering look up and down to assess what those below her are wearing. Her disapproval is obvious! She evokes bitchiness, exudes class and she knows that she is above everyone, or at least they think she is. This is Streeps film, she owns it from the first scene to the ending. The film is worth seeing alone for her performance which I hope will be awarded.

Hathaway - Playing the key role in the book Hathaway is likeable and an easy character to relate to, coping with the boss from hell and juggling relationships and home life. She feels the strain and we all sympathise. However, her character is soon overlooked as Streep steals every scene they are in together. Hathaway is truly beautiful throughout her big brown eyes and classy smiley demeanour make her very gentle on the eye (I'm sure my boyfriend would agree). I think Hathaway is more suited to the goofy geeky films like Princess Diaries as her performance although admirable in this film could have been better.

Blunt - Blunts character is classy, sassy and everything I expected whilst reading the book. Her obvious respect for Miranda and willingness to do everything her boss asks of her however impossible or disrespectful it be is astonishing. She is truly sucked in the by fashion world and all that goes with it. Blunt is another star of the show. Her relationship with Andi whom she finds astonishingly ignorant is believable and funny. Her teeth gritting smile as she abides Andi, knowingly how hapless she is, is brilliant. The hostility, self absorbing personality she portrays is everything I hoped it would be on screen. Marvellous!

Nate - Disappointing although the role and lines he had been given in this film were few and poorly adapted from the book. He is very fluffy, never genuinely believable and instantly forgettable. The chemistry between him and Andi, adequately portrays the lust of a young couple but there is no real substance in any of his performance. Quite disappointing and lacklustre. I'm sure this entourage star Adrian Grenier is capable of much more.

The Director has..
made the best he can of a softened script which has obviously been buttered up for the audience! David Frankel has previously worked on Sex And The City and the similarities are there to see. He has captured the busy snobby environment of Runway and the hustle and bustle of the backdrop New York City. The scenes between amusing and dramatic are all balanced and the viewers have time to build relationships with the onscreen characters. He has captured Streep impeccably, down to the smallest facial extortions and for this he needs a slap on the back. Great Job!

A triumphant chick flick however predictable notched up a class or two by Streep alone. If you love your designer names and long to live like the other half do, then let this be a cautionary tale. Its not all its cracked up to be! A feel good film which doesnt take much thinking about, make sure you see this film at some point so you can see what all the fuss is about!

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/thedevilwearsprada/

Now showing at cinemas near you and available for release on DVD in the UK on December 12th 2006. Just in time for christmas!

Copyright cherwaite 2006 xx