The Devil Wears Prada

We have all been there: the miserable world of internships--making little money performing meaningless unwanted tasks. I think "The Devil Wears Prada" captures this world quite well. I must confess that I was worried when I decided to attend this movie. I have little or no interest in fashion; I am not an Anne Hathaway fan, especially if she is fully clothed; and the movie seemed to attract the kind of people that I despise. However, taking a chance at a time when there was nothing else in the theaters proved to be a good decision. In short, the movie is not great, it is not bad, but it is just right.

Anne Hathaway plays Andrea, a recent college graduate who applies for many jobs and internships in New York. After some disappointment, she finally lands an interview at Runway Magazine, which has Vogue as its real-world inspiration. Andrea shows up to the interview and confesses to the snobby receptionist, and later to the editor, that she has no interest in fashion and that her plan is actually to be a newspaper columnist. In a bold move, the editor, played by Meryl Streep, hires Andrea to give her a chance in fashion. To pause for a moment: I liked the story already. Being a recent college graduate, and a former slave to legal work, I understand fully how someone can apply to hundreds of jobs even if they have no interest in them. Furthermore, I liked how the editor applied cultural affirmative action to hire Andrea. A year in the working world will demonstrate that those who get coveted jobs often do not deserve them.

In a string of interesting plot developments and interesting characters, Andrea is sucked into the world of fashion and into a world of indentured servitude to the editor. I really liked how Andrea, who had no interest in fashion, becomes a fashion snob. Often times, our jobs force us to take an interest in what we are doing, even if we would not be otherwise interested in it. Andrea becomes what she despises, a shallow self-obsessed Barbie Doll. I also liked how Andrea's job slowly but surely took over her life. This "work becomes your life" mentality has been growing in popularity these days, especially at law firms and investment banks.

Until now, I have put off discussing the best part of the movie: Meryl Streep. She plays the ogress who represents the ultimate "work is my life" woman. Streep brilliantly plays the part with a dichotomy. On one hand, she is successful, famous, and respected. On the other hand, she is lonely, a failure in personal relationships, and just downright mean. Although Andrea was seduced by the success half of Streep's character, she finally sees the editor for who she is at the end.

I enjoyed this movie. It is about more than the fashion world. It is about internships and the cultural rise of successful yet empty people.

3.8