The Devil Wears Prada

When I started to think about having vintage or the throw back Thursday, it was a chance for me to introduce you to something fun that you could spend a great weekend watching, as well as for myself to walk down memory lane. When I was thinking what to write about, I began to think of what was coming out this weekend and that brought me to Noah, a film that has a lot of “interesting” buzz around it. Then I thought about Russell Crowe which then led to his dismal performance in Les Miserables, and that lead me to Anne Hathaway and her brilliant performance as Fantine, and then that lead to...The Devil Wears Prada, one of my all time favorite Anne Hathaway films.

What girl hasn't wanted to be in the fashion industry? What young thriving young woman hasn't wanted to climb the corporate ladder of success? What person hasn't wanted to be the assistant to a powerful individual? Andy Sachs hasn't, that's who. Andy has moved to New York to be a writer, but job interview after job interview finds her still jobless. So she takes on a personal assistant position for the intimidating and devilish Miranda Presley, editor and chief of Runway Magazine, played by the extraordinary Meryl Streep. Andy, not one for being “up” on fashion trends, is perfectly content with her hair barely combed, wearing below the knee skirts, dark colored tights, baggy sweaters, and what can only be described as orthopedic shoes. Andy is the “second” assistant to Miranda, which means she is tasked with turning completely impossible tasks into reality, such as obtaining a copy of Harry Potter before release for Miranda's kids, finding the piece of paper that Miranda had in her hand the morning before, as well as being a human coat rack for Miranda. Emily, played by Emily Blunt, is Miranda's “first” assistant who attempts to advise Andy in her own ruthless way about how to do her job and stay out of the way. Stanley Tucci rounds out the group playing Nigel, Miranda's longest friend and fashion assistant.

Andy has a great group of people around her including her long time boyfriend Nate, Adrien Grenier, who is trying to make it in the food industry as a chef. She has some great friends, too as well as parents who come to visit her once she takes the position as Miranda's assistant and realize how demanding her job is and realize the sacrifices that their daughter is making to be successful.

As Andy tries to navigate her way though this extremely uncharted territory, Nigel takes her under his wing. He takes Andy to the coveted “closet”, the sample closet, full of shoes, dresses, purses, scarves, jewelry, and did I mention...shoes!! This is where we see Andy begin to adapt to her new role. Through a chain of events instead of Emily going to Paris Fashion Weeks, Andy goes with Miranda and becomes her number One. Slowly Andy becomes more and more comfortable to leave the “old” Andy behind and embrace the “new” Andy. She becomes involved with a man in Paris while still in a relationship with Nate. She backstabs the only person who has somewhat become her friend in order to get to Paris. At the end of the film there is a poignant moment between Andy and Miranda, when Andy finds out that Miranda has sold out Nigel in order to keep her job at Runway. She tells Andy, “ I never thought I would say this, Andrea, but really, I see a great deal of myself in you. You can see beyond what people want and what they need and choose for yourself.” Andy responds, “ I don't think I'm like that. I couldn't do what you did to Nigel, Miranda. I couldn't do something like that.” When Miranda says“ You already did. To Emily”, this is the moment Andy realizes that she has completely sold out to be something that she swore she never would.

It's a great story and film which also won Meryl Streep a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Miranda Presley. I am sure that you'll fall in love with this film. I won't give you everything if you haven't seen it; you'll have to watch it to find out what happens. The film is worth it for the beautiful shoes and clothes alone and of course, Paris. It's a great way to spend a Friday evening or Saturday with a glass of wine.