Holly
07-05-2006, 08:20 AM
Meryl Streep should do comedy more often. On the other hand, maybe it's a good thing she doesn't.
That makes her occasional ventures into funny material all the more enjoyable, and that's certainly the case with “The Devil Wears Prada,” the new screen adaptation of Lauren Weisberger's novel about life within the offices and corridors of a fashion magazine. Streep plays the imperious editor, a character allegedly based on some real-life figures in the publishing world ... and if that's the fact, it's easy to see why many staff newcomers end up quaking in their literal boots.
Anne Hathaway (“The Princess Diaries”) plays one of those novices, a recent college grad who left school with loftier ambitions, so adjusting to her new position is challenging to begin with. Then, factor in Streep as her boss, and the ante certainly goes up fast; not one to suffer fools gladly or otherwise, the Streep character can cut anyone to the quick with a glance, a drippingly sarcastic one-liner, or her hasty finale to any meeting: “That's all.”
The scenes dominated by Streep are the ones where “The Devil Wears Prada” really comes to life, which is just as it should be. In the same sense Marlon Brando dominated “The Godfather” even when he wasn't on the screen, Streep's image and attitude still hangs over the entirety of the film when you can't actually see her.
Even when Hathaway is romping with her boyfriend (Adrian Grenier, of “Entourage”) or being pursued by a much worldlier fellow (Simon Baker, formerly of TV's “The Guardian”), you know those are the interim moments before she must face the wrath of Streep again. And as much as you feel for her, each of those moments is delicious.
As another minion to the boss, British actress Emily Blunt also is very funny, and the always-reliable Stanley Tucci is a kick as the magazine's art director, who tosses off his own comments with amusing aplomb.
If “The Devil Wears Prada” sounds like a surefire entry for the category known as “chick flick” ... well, it is. It's certain to be an absolute magnet for female viewers, and if male companions fear being dragged to it, an absolute ace by the name of Meryl Streep should let them digest the result much more comfortably than they might expect.
(Rated PG-13)
That makes her occasional ventures into funny material all the more enjoyable, and that's certainly the case with “The Devil Wears Prada,” the new screen adaptation of Lauren Weisberger's novel about life within the offices and corridors of a fashion magazine. Streep plays the imperious editor, a character allegedly based on some real-life figures in the publishing world ... and if that's the fact, it's easy to see why many staff newcomers end up quaking in their literal boots.
Anne Hathaway (“The Princess Diaries”) plays one of those novices, a recent college grad who left school with loftier ambitions, so adjusting to her new position is challenging to begin with. Then, factor in Streep as her boss, and the ante certainly goes up fast; not one to suffer fools gladly or otherwise, the Streep character can cut anyone to the quick with a glance, a drippingly sarcastic one-liner, or her hasty finale to any meeting: “That's all.”
The scenes dominated by Streep are the ones where “The Devil Wears Prada” really comes to life, which is just as it should be. In the same sense Marlon Brando dominated “The Godfather” even when he wasn't on the screen, Streep's image and attitude still hangs over the entirety of the film when you can't actually see her.
Even when Hathaway is romping with her boyfriend (Adrian Grenier, of “Entourage”) or being pursued by a much worldlier fellow (Simon Baker, formerly of TV's “The Guardian”), you know those are the interim moments before she must face the wrath of Streep again. And as much as you feel for her, each of those moments is delicious.
As another minion to the boss, British actress Emily Blunt also is very funny, and the always-reliable Stanley Tucci is a kick as the magazine's art director, who tosses off his own comments with amusing aplomb.
If “The Devil Wears Prada” sounds like a surefire entry for the category known as “chick flick” ... well, it is. It's certain to be an absolute magnet for female viewers, and if male companions fear being dragged to it, an absolute ace by the name of Meryl Streep should let them digest the result much more comfortably than they might expect.
(Rated PG-13)