The Devil Wears Prada (10/10)

by Tony Medley

Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), just out of college, gets a job as assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the editor of “Runway Magazine,” and New York’s fashion maven. Andy is the second assistant, behind the bitchy Emily (Emil Blunt, who comes close to stealing the picture), who is anally ambitious. Miranda’s right-hand man is Nigel (Stanley Tucci), who is as horrified as everyone else when he meets Andy and sees how she’s dressed.

This is just a brilliant satire, that’s all I can say. It should become an instant classic, a film you can see over and over and over and still enjoy, much like “Casablanca.” Who can’t watch Casablanca and not enjoy it as much the tenth time as the first? I don’t see movies twice, but I could see ‘Prada again tomorrow.

The only weaknesses of the film are Andy’s boyfriend, Nate (Adrian Grenier), a chef, and two other friends, Lilly (Tracie Thoms), and Doug (Rich Sommer). These people are such jerks I couldn’t figure out if it was just a biting commentary on today’s 20 somethings, or if director David Frankel (TV’s “Sex and the City”) really thinks that they are cool people. They all rubbed me the wrong way. I wouldn’t want to spend any time with any of them. However, to be fair since I’m not a 20 something woman, I asked a couple of them what they thought of Grenier, and the consensus was that he is a hottie. Fortunately, Nate and Lilly and Doug are not in many scenes, so they did not ruin the film for me, although the story line doesn’t end as well for me as “Casablanca.” Andy is eventually pursued by a big time writer, Christian Thompson (Simon Baker), who seemed like a good match to me, even if he is a trifle, uh, experienced.

As entertaining as are the relationships among Miranda and Andy and Emily, are the clothes. If costume designer Pat Field doesn’t win an Oscar for this film, well, something’s seriously wrong in Hollywood (hahahaha; is there anybody out there who has watched the last several Oscar shows who really takes them seriously as awards for the best in film?). Field used designs from a plethora of major designers, Valentino (who appears in a cameo), Donna Karan, Bill Blass, Galliano, and Prada. Forget the dialogue; each scene is a revelation of fashion.

Meryl Streep gives a wonderful performance as Miranda, who is a boss of all bosses, and clearly knows her power. Tucci is equally entertaining. But the best of all is Blunt, who plays the bitchy, ambition-obsessed Emily with a deft touch. I’ll give her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar right now.

This is brilliant and funny. Don’t miss it.

June 23, 2006