I just rewatched The Devil Wears Prada. It's such a well-made entertaining flick. I'm glad it's getting noticed in awards, because good popcorn movies aren't given enough credit. I mean, it's all well and good for people to just instantly say stuff like Babel or Little Children, or what have you, are better films because they're more "important" or whatever, but - as I like to say - just like pop music is hard to make really good, so too are popcorn movies. Just because it's going after a mass crowd and isn't about such lofty issues as other films are, doesn't mean it isn't worthy, which a lot of people seem to think. Check out Kris at In Contention and his weird slightly fevered entry about the movie and how it's "vapid", "misguided", "lazy", "reprehensible", "half-baked", "clumsy", "shocking", "languid horror" and "certifiably the worst film of 2006" - and that's just the first paragraph! He then even goes on to say that Meryl Streep's performance doesn't even warrant attention in the supporting actress category, let alone the lead (btw, Meryl's name is first in the credits after all. Trust me. I checked. So, yeah, lead thnx). And also, apparently, Simon Baker's eyebrows are cause for scorn, too. That's stretching it. And Emily Blunt gives a "typical, rote, derivetive" performance.
It really is just a great movie. One that I'll be able to pop into the DVD player at any time, no matter my mood. It's fun, it's bright, it's snappy and punchy and filled with delicious acting and costumes and sets that just make me swoon. Patricia Field deserves that Oscar nomination almost more than anyone else in 2006. She had to define a current period. She didn't have books to tell her what characters did or would wear. She had to pick out thousands of outfits (sometimes for about one or two seconds of screen time) for hundres of characters that were not only spot on fashionable but passably "in". Anne Hathaway is a gorgeous clothes horse. That montage just after her makeover is just... yum.
The only problem that I have with the film is Andrea's boyfriend and friends (well, the chick from Rent anyway). I don't understand why they're so upset. Like, big fuckin' whoop - she got a real job. In Manhattan. Sure, Andy could quit, but then she'd be missing out on a huge opportunity. Like, they're actively telling her to quit her job at one of the biggest publications in the world. That seems a bit silly.
Anyway, a minor quible, really. I just love this movie. Plus, they throw in two Madonna songs so they get bonus points for that!
10 comments:
That last part, about her friends, was what irked me about the movie too. I just wanted to smack her asshole friends in the face. That friend of hers (from Rent I guess?) did not act like any person I have ever met in this city in the six years I've lived here. No one would make their friend feel crappy about that job. People would, and do, chew each other's limbs off for it. Shitty drama-queen bosses are par for the course here (well not just here, everywhere, but they're especially... queeny here).
Agreeing with Kris Tapley is something I never ever wanted to have to do, but I don't think Meryl deserves consideration even in the Supporting category either (where she belongs).
I just don't get why everyone likes this performance so much. Even all the bloggers whose opinions I highly value are praising her left, right and centre. She was soooo mediocre, IMO.
I do, however, think Emily Blunt deserves an Oscar this year. I love love love her.
Being first in the credits means you've got the biggest name. Not that you're playing the leading role.
The friends thing must be them trying to get the most out of the book (they all have more important roles in the book and their hatred for her job is more comprehensible).
Still, this film is perfect!
Yay for Meryl and Emily!
Sorry. Meryl sucked in the film. And sucks in nearly everything she does.
But I still love ya, Glenn. ;)
jesus. where did all the meryl hate come from. She's f'in brilliant in this film. Her best performance in some time.
and Kris is clearly insane. it's all fine to dislike a movie that's intensely likeable BUT it's not OK to disparage Emily Blunt's performance. Even if the film had sucked that was an actor elevating her material. period. millions of movies have bitchy coworkers in them. How many of them feel like whole characters or make you think of them long after the movie is over. Or make you laugh the hardest even when the "world's greatest actress" is making you laugh hard.
I mean come on now...
blah. i have insomnia. i can't shut up.
Ha!! I ADORE the Madonna moments on the film; I danced to them all the 5 times I watched it... on the theatres! And I can't wait for the DVD [although it's still being played on some cinemas]!!
I'm really surprised about this Meryl hate; I mean, the woman is genius in Prada making us laugh while we hate/adore that Miranda bitch! I'm always a fan of bitchy characters, but seriously, Meryl raised the bar by giving us a total cool, polite and classy devil-woman, who is capable to make you die by just looking at you and never for a moment screaming and drama-queening a la Cruela de Vil.
The way Miranda speaks like she never needs to breathe, or like her rude and sorta violent bag/coat-throwing seems chic and classy and even the sadistic errands... Meryl does it so effortlessly like always added to a depth that is fascinating.
I absolutely adore Anne Hathaway, but I agree that Emily Blunt totally stole her thunder. The way Emily is insolently futile and how we love, root and desire her triviality is simply amazing.
And I also don't like the Andy's friends scenes... they bore me but thankfully aren't long enough to wreck the movie.
Well, in sum: I abso-fucking-lutely love this movie and everything about it.
OMG... I just read Amy's comment!! *dies*
Yeah anyone who says Meryl sucks in everything she does is just looking for attention. Thinking her overrated is one thing, but "sucks"? That is just not true.
And she is brill in this. As is Emily Blunt.
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