◊^^^Synopsis^^^◊

The “Devil Wears Prada” is a light hearted comedy that focuses on Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) as she attempts to make it in the dog eat dog world of New York journalism. She soon realises that unfortunately, for her, first you have to get the connections before you can actually get accepted for a job writing for any substantial magazine in New York. So after repetitively interviewing and being rejected for several writing jobs by many magazines, she turns up at “Runway”, the biggest fashion “book” in the business and applies for an assistant job to try and get a good reference and eventually work her way up to being a full time journalist. Although chief editor of Runway magazine, the extremely famous Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) believes, like everyone else at Runway, that she has “no sense of style and fashion” she takes her on because of her impressive résumé and because she sees something in herself in Andy.

The film then concentrates on the total impossibilities Andy faces, working as an assistant (basically a slave) to Miranda and how she desperately tries to fit in at Runway which inevitably slowly begins to dismantle her life and her friendships as life starts to revolve entirely around her demanding job and ruthless employer.

A very lively bitchy comedy that guarantees giggles throughout. Definitely worth a look!

◊^^^Opinion^^^◊

The film as far as a comedy goes was reasonably funny; quite simple and somewhat predictable in the script but that’s what we all love about this type of movie… isn’t it? I can assure you now that you need not fear inevitable clichés as the film isn’t full of them and for this kind of movie there is almost an abundance of them. For example I hate to burst anyone’s bubble but no, there is not a manic chase inspired by undying love for someone leaving the country at the end of the film, it’s just, even though it may appear to be, not that type of movie.

The film is funny for many reasons. The main of which has to be the fact that this is the type of film you can relate to and in that respect the script is very well written. The feature could be hysterically funny for those who have or who have ever had a total maniac for a boss before who demanded the impossible on a regular basis. I guarantee if this fits your description you will be in stitches throughout the picture and the film will literature step up a gear to be more personal and in so create a superior connection with some characters in the film and generally a more satisfying viewing experience.

The story is very intricate and in many respects a very true depiction of city life. The script, although reasonably simple, in that it focuses on a girl trying to get a job, getting the job and doing the job, is at the same time extremely complex. For example the main characters in the film have real lives in the sense that they are built up far more than characters in your average film and by the end of the picture I personally felt that I knew the characters substantially better and on a further personal level than I have for the majority of films I have watched. I suppose this is one of the crucial aspects that aids to the movies success and is absolutely vital in order to help the film develop and almost hold it together such a basic script.

Another aspect that contributes to how convincing the film is, is the locations. With real locations, restaurants and festivals etc. you as the audience, because of this, can relate to the film further. This successfully introduces a whole new aspect of realism to the film making the overall production more appealing, believable and personal for us, the viewers.

Although the film is good there are some negative points I should explore. I was going to talk about how the film is too long but with a runtime of 1hour 30mins it is almost short. So I must conclude that some scenes are long, slow and to be honest boring. I also noticed heavy use of pausing in the film but with such a busy New York lifestyle, wouldn’t pausing be minimal? Another problem I have with the film is difficult to illustrate as I myself am not sure of the purpose of the problem. The problem is the “fashionable” clothing. Now I don’t know if it’s just me or if the film is deliberately doing it, but the vast majority of the so called fashionable clothes are in my opinion either ghastly or ridiculous depending on the label. Now I am totally lost for a change in what this is supposed to achieve. Is this really fashion? If so what is the world coming to or going back to since most of it looks medieval, perhaps I am just ignorant to the world of fashion. Or is this some sort inside joke which is simply hilarious for those following fashion and unnoticed by the unaware fashion less fellows such as myself? Or perhaps there is something totally different that I have missed.

Another downside is the ending. Although the film leaves you with a feel good factor the ending, although admittedly existent, was very dull and somewhat of an anti-climax to the film. Perhaps a classic clichéd love fuelled dash to the airport would have been more fun… I know what you’re thinking, but when you see the movie you will understand.

I would certainly recommend the film to those who like the genre.

◊^^^Acting^^^◊

The acting was very good and convincing. It had a sort of sit-com friends feel to it and was very successful because of its trueness to life. This is was no doubt the films best feature and so it should be with such a strong cast. Anne Hathaway was particularly convincing as being overworked and confused in the big city. Meryl Streep as always was nothing less than exceptional and the film alone is worth watching for her versatile unusual performance. Stanley Tucci’s acting was extremely impressive and convincing, unquestionably the most credible and interesting performance in the film. Finally Emily Blunt’s role as Emily the bitchy manic dieting and fashion crazed assistant to Miranda Priestly was wonderful and at the same time hilariously funny with her whole persona and bitchy remarks.

Overall a great combined acting performance by the cast in what is the films best forte.

◊^^^Picture and Sound Quality^^^◊

The picture is extremely impressive throughout. The quality is particularly enjoyable with cinematography to match. There are several intensely beautiful shots of New York skyline. The film is visually stimulating right the way through because of the vibrant colours regularly distinguished by the fashionable wear in the film. Also because of the creative camerawork, for example the film makes great use of montages therefore exploiting huge colour contrasts, a particularly good one springs to mind in which an outfit changes several times in a period of around 30 seconds which is particularly visually stimulating.

As for the sound, it was generally good but nothing special. The music was quite predictable whilst attempting to impose emotions onto the audience, some of which was successful others, not so much. Music was used productively in building the general personality and atmosphere the film carries.

◊^^^Film Summary^^^◊

The picture as I have already mentioned is reasonably impressive and especially interesting. The sound is acceptable and shows some flashes of brilliance but is awfully tedious and banal in parts.

Even though I have managed to list just as many negatives as positives I urge you not to let this discourage you from watching this lively bitchy comedy as it is certainly worth while, good fun and will not fail to supply you with plenty of giggles throughout if you generally like this sort of genre. As for gaining anything meaningful from the film… forget it!

◊^^^DVD Package^^^◊

The DVD is very nicely packaged and has a cardboard sleeve that has the front cover on and experiments with different textures, for example the heal on the cover feels polished. The front cover consists mainly of a large devil heel, the title and a few photographs of the main characters.

As for the back, it’s rather standard with: Pictures, the blurb, comments by critics, special features, additional information including runtime etc. and the cast. So all and all the usual as far as the back is concerned.

◊^^^Special Features^^^◊

• Moving picture DVD menu
• Still image scene selection
• Languages: Audio – English and English for the hearing impaired
Subtitles -- English for the hearing impaired
• Commentary by: Director, Producer, Costume Designer, Editor, Screenwriter and Director of Photography.
• Featurettes: The Trip to the Big Screen, NYC and Fashion, Fashion visionary Patricia Field, Getting Valentino, Boss from Hell, Danda Santini: Real Life Editor-In-Chief.
• 13 Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• www.fox.co.uk
• Coming Soon Trailers…

◊^^^DVD Summary^^^◊

The DVD offers a good picture and sound quality as well as being packed to the brim with special features. This DVD in terms of collecting is a dream. The actual film on the other hand isn’t. A brilliant DVD with useful special features, it’s just a shame the film wasn’t a little better. All the same though special features, especially deleted scenes, are very interesting.

◊^^^Price & Availability^^^◊

Amazon.co.uk: New and Sealed – £9.98 – 38 Used/New from - £6.95
eBay.co.uk: Avg. Buy it Now - £11 – 12 Results

◊^^^Technical Details^^^◊

Certificate: 12
Duration: 104 mins
Year of Release: 2007
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Aspect ratio: 1.35:1
Region: 2

Director(s): David Frankel
Writer(s): Aline Brosh McKenna (Screenplay)
Lauren Weisberger (Novel)

“That’s all…”

© Guy Davies (www.freewebs.com/firelightphotography) 2007