To See Or Not To See: The Devil Wears Prada

... With a Touch of Integrity

by Jan Stetter
QCFMag.com

Imagine this picture of The Devil: She has white, perfectly coiffed hair and pursed lips painted to match the exact hue of her attire. This Devil has the power to end one’s career or alter an entire industry with her position as executive editor of an influential fashion magazine known as Runway. The Devil in this movie is played by Meryl Streep; the angel by Anne Hathaway.

The story is about an unaffected, intelligent, Midwestern college graduate living in New York, struggling to catch a break in getting employment as a journalist. Anne Hathaway plays a convincing ingénue. She has honed her acting skills and parlayed them to tell the story of the ugly duckling turned beauty.

In the beginning Hathaway’s character, Andy Sachs has aspirations that are as straightforward and pure as the air she breathes from her small Ohio hometown. It is precisely this freshness that plays well in contrast to the character Meryl Streep developed, Miranda Priestly a.k.a. The Devil.

Miranda Priestly is a huge icon in the fashion industry and international world. Her detached presence, passive interest in eye contact or verbal exchange with any underlings in her organization makes Streep’s performance as the Devil entertaining. At all times Miranda’s voice and emotions are in tact. Her style is impeccable and it is no surprise as to why Miranda Priestly is a fashion visionary.

Stanley Tucci plays the next top ranking official in Miranda Priestly’s dynasty. As Nigel, Tucci adds class to this trite and simple minded story. For fashion mavens this movie will enthrall you. For the rest of us it merely told a time honored tale of good vs. evil.

Wait for it to come to DVD.

Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact jans@queencityforum.com