Monday at the Movies - The Devil Wears Prada

Every once in a while a movie comes along that is better than its book...every. once. in. a. while.

This is one.

I read this book for fun, without any expectations at all, and it was no doubt a fun read.  I usually don't see movies until they're released on DVD, and "The Devil  Wears Prada" was no exception.  But, from the first minute I sat down on the couch, I was hooked.

New York City, Paris

couture fashion

well run machine

the music

Meryl Streep...Meryl Streep...Meryl Streep

mannerisms, voice, power

I can't tell you how many times my girls and I have seen this movie...somebody always gets it out when it's least expected and plays it.  The rest of us within the first 20 minutes or so end up sitting down and watching it with whoever started it.

Minus The Head of Our Household...not exactly his kind of movie :/

The craziest thing of all is how much my 7 year old likes this movie...don't ask me why because I have no idea...but she will actually go through spells of watching it over and over and over during a weekend. She pulled it out Friday night; I was actually snoozing a little on the couch and actually turned over to watch...I do not let go of a nap lightly, let me tell you!

 I honestly don't know what the draw is for her...one day maybe I'll ask her :)

While there certainly are scenes of insinuated adult situations, there is no nudity, the language is minimal and there really isn't anything troubling at all (that I can think of right this second anyway).

The story itself is a good one as well...The characters include a successful dragon lady who sacrifices every other aspect of her life to be successful (Streep), a business full of sycophants, a young ingenue (Hathaway) who applies for a job working for the dragon lady, hoping the position will launch her into the world of big city journalism, and a respected member of the staff who takes Hathaway under his wing (Stanley Tucci).  Hathaway finally gets the dragon lady's attention and gets pulled into her lair, learning how to step on other people on her way up.  The dragon lady never lets her completely in but gives Hathaway just enough space to  encourage her even further.  

This story is not one of good vs evil, however.  It's just not that simple...it's actually an effective illustration of how what we see on the outside is very definitely not reality.  Hathaway comes to understand the dragon lady...and why she is the way she is.  The dragon lady also understands Hathaway...and why she is the way she is.  In the closing scene, I'm convinced the dragon lady understands so much more than you think she does while you're watching the movie.  

The scenery, the costumes, the fashion, the models, the lights of Paris, the look inside the world of high fashion and heaven forbid we forget the soundtrack.  The music in this movie is enough to get you pumped up about fashion...even if you think you don't care anything about it.

;)