The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil wears Prada, directed by David Frankel

The Devil wears Prada was made in 2006, starring Anne Hathaway, and as I'm a girly girl (most of the time), I was psyched up to see it being shown at aber union on monday 5th February at 8pm. Myself and a friend arrived 5 minutes before it was due to start and on entering found the entire room was completely full, so we sat at the front on the floor.

As the titles rolled, the montage introduced the heroine (Anne Hathaway) on her journey around the `big city` (New York) and coupled with non diegetic music of `suddenly i see` by KT Tunstall, sets the airy woman on a mission, immediately hooking me into this fantasy world. The plot is based around Andy (Anne Hathaway), a wannabee journalist, who decided not to pursue a career in law. Her only real hope is a job interview for Runway, a leading fashion magazine headed by the tough, mean Miranda played by Meryl Streep. Andy is immediately stereotyped and discriminated against by Emily, mirandas first assistant, and her even bigger obstacle is to impress miranda.

As the film progresses, Andy begins to realise that to become serious and survive within the fashion industry she will have to change her image; the way she acts, dresses and speaks as well as her outlook on fashion. She eventually accomplishes this but it is still not enough for Miranda and when Andy gets chosen to go to Paris, she has an even bigger challenge to impress. With her career on the highs, Andrea's love life is strained, losing her boyfriend and contact with friends as well as transforming into an entirely different person. She has an epiphany and realises that the person she is turning into and will inevitable become is Miranda.

The basic iconography for this film is symbols of the fashion industry, and at first glance it can be viewed as another girls film, but in looking beneath the surface, themes and meanings seep through. A womans ambition within an industry will mean choosing between her career or love as well as being pressured into becoming someone she is not, inevitably affecting the rest of your life. What makes this film believeable is the talents of Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, both unique in their artistic differences but when brought together on the big screen, complimenting one another. Anne Hathaway's magical pressence on screen, as shown in the Princess Diaries, draws you in and connects with her character. With the support from the flawless talent of Meryl Streep, known for her serious roles (The Hours), this provides a balance on screen of the new and upcoming talent with the already establised talent.

This film was certainly not a let down and for you to see a quick taster of what I mean, click on play to view the trailer below, and enjoy! In addition click on the link above to take you to IMDB.