I finally watched The Devil Wears Prada when I was in the mood for something light and relaxing, and I was blown away by how interestingly you can make a simple and not-so-impressive plot.
I've watched this movie at least five times - not for nostalgia, but because it helps me unwind. It sparks a lot of thoughts in me. I don't think Miranda Priestly is the devil.
Has this movie aged well? What are its lessons? Who's the real devil, anyway? Let's dive in!
Confess, Andy, you sold your soul the day you first put on those Jimmy Choo shoes.
What's in store for the viewer? An absolute, stunning, and gorgeous film - bright, DYNAMIC, and rich, with a string of iconic scenes and non-linear characters.- You've lost so much weight!
- Seriously? All that for Paris! I've got a new diet, it's super effective - I don't eat anything at all. And when I feel like I'm about to pass out, I just munch on a little bit of cheese.
- It's clearly working.
- Yeah, just a few more episodes of gastritis, and I'll be right on target.
There's outstanding acting, loads of glamour, and witty dialogue - it's all here!
The acting ensemble is flawless, no caricatures in sight. This is definitely not a dull watch - plenty of movement, no static scenes. The cinematography is spot on - the shots are always changing, it really draws you in and makes you feel like you're right there with the main character.By the way, I didn't see anything wrong with Andy's original outfit - she looked great.
I have to say, it's a mass-market film, but it looked way better than all those frilly things on girls' clothes in the fashion world.As for the plot, I think it's pretty run-of-the-mill and fairly bland. But it's presented a lot better than in the book - it's way more lively, interesting, and wide-ranging. Of course, some lines are still pretty formulaic. But that doesn't make the film any worse. The characters are developed just enough for the idea to work, without getting too deep into psychological analysis. Otherwise, the film would just be even more bland.So, what's this film really about? The world of fashion? Not quite. This is a film about a career in karate.
Meryl Streep as Miranda
Meet Miranda Priestly, the boss lady who's often portrayed as a classic tyrant. I've read the book, and to me, she's just a mean girl. But the movie shows that Miranda doesn't break people, she toughens them up - especially those who choose to work under her. Meryl Streep brought Miranda to life in a way that's both complex and multifaceted. She's a strong, intelligent woman who's struggling with the pain of loneliness. Miranda's a master of time management and prioritization, showing us exactly how to tame chaos. Her famous line? "This is all." Is that being rude? Nope. It's about protecting your attention resources. If the book didn't grab my attention, the movie took it to a whole new level. I mean, Cate Blanchett's performance set the bar high, and it's no surprise they tried to replicate it in Cruella. But in 'The Devil Wears Prada', that bar is set too high because Meryl Streep's character is portrayed in a pretty straightforward way. Meryl Streep's performance is a masterclass in subtlety. She brings depth and nuance to a character that's both ruthless and charismatic. The way she balances Miranda's darker traits with her vulnerability is pure perfection. I mean, she's not overacting or trying too hard – it's just effortless.
Andy Sachs' inner turmoil
Andy's a pretty stable person with her own set of values, and she'd have walked out of that job or refused to take it in the first place. But what we see is a young woman with big ambitions and a lack of stability in her personal life, which is reflected in her relationships.
I've got to say, Andy really impressed me with her ability to adapt to new situations. For a career, that's a crucial skill. The thing is, Andy's changing, and it's affecting her relationship with her partner. At first, she was pretty comfortable with him, just like she was with her own clothes - they fit right into his world.
But as Andy started changing, things got awkward between them. To be honest, neither of them was really thinking about the other, so they both started doing their own thing.The movie shows how easy it is to get stuck in a swamp of internal compromises when you're not sure what you stand for. Andy's faced with a tough choice:
Staying with Miranda and climbing the corporate ladder comes at a cost – your personal life, morals, and possibly your soul. Leaving Miranda behind and taking the easy route means sacrificing your career, salary, status, and ambition. Stress levels drop, but doubts creep in – is this really the right choice? In a quieter environment, resources are scarce, and the people around you are likely simpler, with less complex work.The right path doesn't exist, because life is non-linear and about being aware and responsible. It's all subjective, depending on what sacrifice seems smaller. I'd choose the quieter route. For me, the most important thing is finding a place where you're valued for who you are, not where you're just growing and learning to self-evaluate, set your own goals, and not just please others.
What's the difference between adapting and staying true to yourself? The film shows this line through Andy's wardrobe, but in reality, adaptation should be about professional growth while staying true to your principles. When you start feeling ashamed and need to justify yourself – that's when the line between adaptation and staying true to yourself gets blurred.
Friends of AndyNow, let's talk about Andy's toxic environment. In the movie, her friends and boyfriend are portrayed as the other side of the coin, and it's not entirely clear if they're anchors holding her back or the voice of reason. It's left up to the viewer to decide. I didn't see any toxicity in Andy's friends. It's actually weird when a girl is kissing someone else and her boss is constantly calling her during work hours.
Andy's friend just doesn't get Andy's new path. To be fair, her comments aren't entirely off-base.Andy also has a friend who's been supportive and happy for her.I also want to talk about Andy's boyfriend – he's been patient with the fact that his girlfriend is always working, but eventually, he realized that Andy just doesn't have time for him. He's tired of waiting, and it's not clear why he should keep waiting. He doesn't understand how to build a relationship with a girl who's always working around the clock. He doesn't see a place for himself in her life. And it's true that when a woman is working 24/7, her personal life tends to fall apart. It's only natural and inevitable.
I love the character of Nigel, who's always giving it to me straight - the good, the bad, and the ugly. He's the perfect guy to support the 'new' Andy, because he's all about the same values as the system.
- My personal life is hanging by a thread.
- That's what happens when you start to succeed at work, sweetheart. Let me know when everything's going to hit the fan. That's a surefire sign you're due for a promotion.
From Nigel's perspective, it would've been great if he hadn't taken the 'new' Andy's changes so personally, and instead asked himself how he could help her out - or just had a chat with her. But Andy needed to respond in kind, unfortunately, she just didn't have the time.
In general, it's pretty normal in a cohabiting relationship when a partner becomes too much to handle - it's often better to just cut ties and give each other some space.
She's no Miranda. She's part of the system too. The Devil is the fashion industry itself, the system, and the relentless pursuit of ideals that only serve the people who work within it. Miranda's not the Devil, she's a talented but also worn-out servant of this industry.To succeed in a system like this magazine requires 100% dedication. Miranda, for example, paid the price for her throne with three divorces, a lifetime of solitude, and a reputation as the 'Devil'.
I've gotta say, Emily, Miranda's other assistant, is giving it her all and so far, it's just exhaustion and jealousy. The question is, are you ready to put in that kind of work? Or is your self-respect and personal life more important? I highly recommend this film for a watch, it's a valuable experience, especially for young professionals. It's a film about personal dignity, incredible resourcefulness, and what it's like to be on the edge of or beyond your limits or perceived limitations. Where's that edge, and do you even need it? The film still gives me a wow effect. I think it's a luxurious, enjoyable watch, and it's really thought-provoking. I love thinking about this story every time I watch it. It's a timeless classic with harmonious characters ✉
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to make a sequel to this movie. Often, the second parts are worse than the first. To be honest, I'm not expecting much from the continuation and I probably won't watch it - I doubt they'll be able to show a worthy follow-up to Andy's journey. Despite being satisfied with every viewing, I'd give the movie a neutral rating because there are other films that I enjoyed more. Still, I think the movie is good enough and worth watching.
Follow me on my account 😊 By the way, these movies I liked even more:
This film is one I wish I could just close my social media tabs after watching every yearThe main character in this film is incredibly uplifting and freshMy King is a genius film about the destructive power of narcissismAnd in my heart, I'm dancing is the best film about human dignity I've ever seen