Fridae

If you need just one reason to catch The Devil Wears Prada, a peek into the glamourous world of high fashion is compelling enough. Add to the mix one exceptional performance by Meryl Streep, and this immediately becomes a must-watch. Just like the many outfits that are paraded in the film, The Devil Wears Prada is absolutely fabulous, outdoing even the novel that it is based on.

Aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has just come to New York in search for a job, and fate comes knocking on the door in the form of an interview at Elias-Clarke, one of the biggest publishing houses in the city. However, Andy finds out that her job will be that of junior assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), editor-in-chief of the illustrious Runway fashion magazine. Miranda hires Andy on a whim, even though she is sorely lacking in knowledge about the fashion industry.

Miranda is an extremely difficult boss, and Andy finds that her whole life starts to revolve around the demanding woman, much to the detriment of her private life, especially her relationship with Nate (Adrian Grenier). This is compounded when she has several meetings with a gorgeous and charming novelist by the name of Christian Thompson (Simon Baker). However, anyone who endures working one year with Miranda Priestly will find a whole world of job opportunities open to her, and Andy is counting down the days till that happens. In the meantime, she gradually rises to the challenge of the job, and is transformed into a true-blue fashion maven and expert assistant. Will Andy lose herself and the people important to her in the heady, glittering world of high fashion?

Based on Laura Weisberger's bestselling novel, the movie version of The Devil Wears Prada makes some distinct changes to the plot, including a new, Hollywood ending that actually is much better than the original. Another major amendment is that instead of a one-dimensional "villainess," the film version of Miranda Priestly is a believable, nuanced character that has her moments of vulnerability. What hasn't changed is the interesting look into the world of fashion and journalism (and rest assured, it all seems too good to be true) - there is an incredible number of lust-inducing outfits, clothes, bags and accessories to gawk at, and both Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep manage to do justice to the designer togs they parade around in.

Although the lead character is ostensibly Anne Hathaway, her performance pales in comparison to Meryl Streep's flawless turn as the dragon lady of fashion. Her meatiest role in quite a number of years, Streep gets every aspect of Miranda Priestly down pat - from the snobbish attitude to the way she struts around, and even the affected tone of voice she uses. However, the amazing Streep manages to carve out a nuanced performance that makes Miranda much more humane and vulnerable than she appeared in the novel. Anne Hathaway is more one-dimensional in her portrayal as Andy, but still remains likeable enough to not grate. It wouldn't be a stretch, however, to say that Hathaway is the weakest link in the movie.

Even if you are not into high fashion, there's still plenty to take away from The Devil Wears Prada. There is an absolutely magical interlude to gay Paris, sparkling moments of screenwriting (for example, Miranda's stern speech on why the world of high fashion affects even the fashion-numb plebeians deserves to live on in posterity), and great supporting performances from Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, as a fashion stylist and Miranda's senior assistant.

The Devil Wears Prada is a pleasure to sit through, largely due to Streep's superlative performance, and surely one of the most enjoyable movies this season. Go watch it - that's all.