The Devil Wears Prada
Jul 5th, 2006, 09:26 AM
#41
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So- haven't seen Devil yet (the local theatre has once again raised its prices). I'm tempted to go, just for Streep, the fashion, and NYC/Paris! Though- Hathaway: Ella Enchanted was a complete hatchet job of the book (I liked the movie, wasn't crazy about the book, but still...) and Princess Diaries was also a hatchet job, just a bit more subtle (details altered for no darn reason), so what did they do to Devil wears Prada? Anyone? From what some have said, the movie has a happy/sappy ending, which is not how I remember the book...but am I misremembering?
Jul 5th, 2006, 09:28 AM
#42
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Yes, I agree, different viewpoint, but one meant to keep her as she was, for their own reasons. I think for balance one could have supported and encouraged her in her new position.
But it was just a movie....
But it was just a movie....
Jul 5th, 2006, 09:49 AM
#43
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Ok, OK...let me chime in with a man's point of view of the flick.
I went yesterday with three of my women in tow (wife and two of her closest friends, one of whom is a shrink who frequently joins us...and we usually have the damndest post mortem movie analyses imaginable!)
All four of us enjoyed the entertaining movie immensely. I'm all for a well- fashioned story which I felt this was, if nothing else. One of the questions I posed at dinner following the movie, "Does one have to be an Amanda Priestly (Streep) to succeed in a high pressure business? Wife and other friend said definitely "yes", the shrink and I stood fast with "no"...I'm of the opinion that it certainly wouldn't have been a good story with a lesser character, more maleable and somewhat pleasant...but that there are countless human beings in pressurized positions that are successful without without being bosses from hell. We named such well known execs as poor little Billy Gates, two studio bosses here in Hollywoodland, the President of Southwest Airlines, and a few guys featured in Tom Peters classic books.
Tucci was great in his role, and I think Hathaway held her own very nicely with Streep. Other than that, you can take this to the bank...male movie goers, if they are open to a chick movie, should enjoy this story of the crazy fashion world.
The last look from Ms. Streep toward Hathaway was classic! Her subsequent smile said it all.
Stu T.
I went yesterday with three of my women in tow (wife and two of her closest friends, one of whom is a shrink who frequently joins us...and we usually have the damndest post mortem movie analyses imaginable!)
All four of us enjoyed the entertaining movie immensely. I'm all for a well- fashioned story which I felt this was, if nothing else. One of the questions I posed at dinner following the movie, "Does one have to be an Amanda Priestly (Streep) to succeed in a high pressure business? Wife and other friend said definitely "yes", the shrink and I stood fast with "no"...I'm of the opinion that it certainly wouldn't have been a good story with a lesser character, more maleable and somewhat pleasant...but that there are countless human beings in pressurized positions that are successful without without being bosses from hell. We named such well known execs as poor little Billy Gates, two studio bosses here in Hollywoodland, the President of Southwest Airlines, and a few guys featured in Tom Peters classic books.
Tucci was great in his role, and I think Hathaway held her own very nicely with Streep. Other than that, you can take this to the bank...male movie goers, if they are open to a chick movie, should enjoy this story of the crazy fashion world.
The last look from Ms. Streep toward Hathaway was classic! Her subsequent smile said it all.
Stu T.
Jul 5th, 2006, 10:10 AM
#44
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Interesting to read your thoughts on the movie, and on highpowered bosses in general Stu.
BTW fellows, one of my SIL's, sort of a real macho fellow, loved The Devil Wears Prada. He didn't want to go to it but did to be a good sport and think he was surprised how much he liked it.
BTW fellows, one of my SIL's, sort of a real macho fellow, loved The Devil Wears Prada. He didn't want to go to it but did to be a good sport and think he was surprised how much he liked it.
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:05 AM
#47
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I read the book, and though the film does make a few changes (most notably, it goes to great lengths to humanize Miranda), I really enjoyed it. In fact, when I came into work today, most of the women at work were buzzing about how much they loved it. The story is fun and the clothes--fantastic.
As for whether it's necessary for a woman to be like Miranda Priestly to get ahead. Honestly, I don't believe it is necessary to be abusive or demanding, but it can require an extraordinary time commitment which can have a high personal cost.
As for whether it's necessary for a woman to be like Miranda Priestly to get ahead. Honestly, I don't believe it is necessary to be abusive or demanding, but it can require an extraordinary time commitment which can have a high personal cost.
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:29 AM
#48
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One of my favorite scenes was when Anne Hathaway went crying to Stanley Tucci and basically said grow up and get over it. With today's self esteem building at all costs, I could see this happening in the work place. It's a fast-paced, entry level, lousy job. The four friends at the beginning all toasted to having jobs that paid the rent. We all start there.
Ending? Well, not a happy, fairy tale ending, but she ended up in a place that many people work long and hard for a chance at getting where she ended up.
I haven't read the book, but the Streep character never did anything illegeal. Low level assistants do crummy fetch and gather jobs. I'm amazed the character didn't spend a good deal of time at the photocopier.
I'm sure we all know someone who headed out to the big city post graduation and didn't make it and returned home or moved somewhere else. Look over on the US forum and every now and again there will be a post from someone wanting out of the NYC rat race.
Yes, the scenery was pretty and so were the clothes. I want that green coat with faux (I hope) fur trim at the neck and wrists.
Ending? Well, not a happy, fairy tale ending, but she ended up in a place that many people work long and hard for a chance at getting where she ended up.
I haven't read the book, but the Streep character never did anything illegeal. Low level assistants do crummy fetch and gather jobs. I'm amazed the character didn't spend a good deal of time at the photocopier.
I'm sure we all know someone who headed out to the big city post graduation and didn't make it and returned home or moved somewhere else. Look over on the US forum and every now and again there will be a post from someone wanting out of the NYC rat race.
Yes, the scenery was pretty and so were the clothes. I want that green coat with faux (I hope) fur trim at the neck and wrists.
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:33 AM
#49
I really enjoyed the movie. I do disagree SeaUrchin that a different decision by Andi would have been a sign of personal growth. I think it would have been a sign of a bad internal moral compass. I just don't think that you have to be a backstabbing b**ch to be successful in a career. And any career that demanded that, wouldn't be for me.
But, as you say, it was just a movie....
But, as you say, it was just a movie....
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:59 AM
#50
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Hi suki, I love to discuss a movie over wine and chocolate with my companions, right after we have seen it. And disagreeing makes it all the better, unless it gets too heated, which it has at times!
I think she didnt have to become a b--tch but a normal driven business woman who would give Miranda a run for her money.
I dont think it had a fairytale ending but she did end up in the job she wanted. OK, I will stop now, lol.
I think she didnt have to become a b--tch but a normal driven business woman who would give Miranda a run for her money.
I dont think it had a fairytale ending but she did end up in the job she wanted. OK, I will stop now, lol.
Jul 5th, 2006, 12:47 PM
#51
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"....there are plenty of high pressure careers like hers, you have to be up to holding your own if you are serious about what you are doing."
What career--delivering the dry cleaning? She was a personal assistant, not a journalist. I didn't have a problem with the demanding boss figure until it crossed over the line to ridiculous--as in the demand to get a jet back to NYC from Miami in a hurricane. If a person fires an underling because of something not under the employee's control (weather), it doesn't signify tough standards that haven't been met. It signals petulance and anger. By all means, demand excellence in one's job performance. But the airport situation just didn't fall into that category.
Don't you wish she had said, "Sorry Miranda---you just weren't important enough to get on that last plane out."
I saw this with my daughter in college. She said later she hoped she never has a boss like that. I hope so, too---for the boss' sake!
What career--delivering the dry cleaning? She was a personal assistant, not a journalist. I didn't have a problem with the demanding boss figure until it crossed over the line to ridiculous--as in the demand to get a jet back to NYC from Miami in a hurricane. If a person fires an underling because of something not under the employee's control (weather), it doesn't signify tough standards that haven't been met. It signals petulance and anger. By all means, demand excellence in one's job performance. But the airport situation just didn't fall into that category.
Don't you wish she had said, "Sorry Miranda---you just weren't important enough to get on that last plane out."
I saw this with my daughter in college. She said later she hoped she never has a boss like that. I hope so, too---for the boss' sake!
Jul 5th, 2006, 01:29 PM
#52
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Actually, the movie minimized the worst of Miranda's behaviors. In the book, she was far worse.
There really are some highly abusive bosses in this world. Often, they can get away with it because people so desperately want an entry into the industry. In the film, everyone kept saying that a million girls would kill for that job. It's true, they would.
However, I don't believe Andy took a step backward by quitting because the moral and personal compromises required weren't worth it for a job she didn't really want. She could have done the job and succeeded fabulously. But at the end of the day, would she really have been happy? Personally, I see nothing wrong in taking a demanding job and putting up with a lot. However, the end has to justify the means, and in Andy's case, it did not.
There really are some highly abusive bosses in this world. Often, they can get away with it because people so desperately want an entry into the industry. In the film, everyone kept saying that a million girls would kill for that job. It's true, they would.
However, I don't believe Andy took a step backward by quitting because the moral and personal compromises required weren't worth it for a job she didn't really want. She could have done the job and succeeded fabulously. But at the end of the day, would she really have been happy? Personally, I see nothing wrong in taking a demanding job and putting up with a lot. However, the end has to justify the means, and in Andy's case, it did not.
Jul 5th, 2006, 06:13 PM
#54
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What I found the most fascinating about the character Miranda was the double standard she demanded. How she was upset that an appointment wasn't confirmed. It was confirmed. She didn't want to hear about the stylist suffering a slipped a disk in the few hours between the confirmation and her appointment.
Miranda couldn't understand why it was so hard for her chauffeur to bring her car around in a timely fashion. She couldn't understand why it was so hard for so many people to do what she thought were simple things.
Yet when Andy first delivered "the book" and unwittingly violated protocol by slipping upstairs, what did she hear? Miranda's husband telling Miranda how he felt like a fool AGAIN because she had left him waiting at a restaurant until he gave up.
Miranda, honey, how hard is it to make a dinner reservation?
Then she lamented how difficult the divorce would be on the twins. Not so hard on the twins that she was willing to work at keeping her marriage together.
Sad, really. Or pathetic. I've had a few bosses that expected more of me than of themselves. "Lead by example" is what I think as I leave the office at 5:01pm. 10 minutes after they left.
Miranda couldn't understand why it was so hard for her chauffeur to bring her car around in a timely fashion. She couldn't understand why it was so hard for so many people to do what she thought were simple things.
Yet when Andy first delivered "the book" and unwittingly violated protocol by slipping upstairs, what did she hear? Miranda's husband telling Miranda how he felt like a fool AGAIN because she had left him waiting at a restaurant until he gave up.
Miranda, honey, how hard is it to make a dinner reservation?
Then she lamented how difficult the divorce would be on the twins. Not so hard on the twins that she was willing to work at keeping her marriage together.
Sad, really. Or pathetic. I've had a few bosses that expected more of me than of themselves. "Lead by example" is what I think as I leave the office at 5:01pm. 10 minutes after they left.
Jul 6th, 2006, 11:32 AM
#55
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Hi all,
My Lady Wife saw the movie yesterday.
She was very pleased to see that some of the scenes were shot in her favorite Paris restaurant.
http://www.vagenende.fr/us/p1.html
My Lady Wife saw the movie yesterday.
She was very pleased to see that some of the scenes were shot in her favorite Paris restaurant.
http://www.vagenende.fr/us/p1.html
Jul 6th, 2006, 05:54 PM
#56
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My husband thought I might have an "O" just seeing all of the clothes and shoes in the first ten minutes of the film. Oh Goooooooood, I love shoes!
I caught the cast of the movie on The View while channel surfing a couple days ago. Ann Hathaway said her character was modified from the book because she had such an air of entitlement in the book.
Meryl Streep (my 6 degrees of separation- I have taught two of her nephews in school and a couple other nephews go to school with my kids. Those Gummer boys look just like her husband.) acknowleged that the role model for the book character is Anna Wintour as the book was written by one of her "minions."
She went on to say that she didn't attempt to copy Wintour, that it is much more fun to make the character hers. One of the View hosts mentioned that she heard that the cast was told that none of them would ever be featured in Vogue and Meryl said, "I wouldn't be featured in Vogue anyway because I'm too fat."
I caught the cast of the movie on The View while channel surfing a couple days ago. Ann Hathaway said her character was modified from the book because she had such an air of entitlement in the book.
Meryl Streep (my 6 degrees of separation- I have taught two of her nephews in school and a couple other nephews go to school with my kids. Those Gummer boys look just like her husband.) acknowleged that the role model for the book character is Anna Wintour as the book was written by one of her "minions."
She went on to say that she didn't attempt to copy Wintour, that it is much more fun to make the character hers. One of the View hosts mentioned that she heard that the cast was told that none of them would ever be featured in Vogue and Meryl said, "I wouldn't be featured in Vogue anyway because I'm too fat."
Jul 6th, 2006, 06:36 PM
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Just saw it this morning, and I hate to tell you this (but I will)... I will be in Paris for two weeks starting Sunday! I've never been there and watching the movie got me more excited. I hope to see every one of those great places I saw today in that film. The shoes and clothes were amazing as well! As for Streep, she was great. I think I'm one of about 35 people who recently saw her in A Prarie Home Companion and cannot believe the transformation. I guess that's what makes her one of our present day best actresses!
Jul 7th, 2006, 05:27 AM
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Bidding ends today on some of the items, notably the "fake" copy of the 7th Harry Potter book. I bid on it as a gift for our son who loves those books and enjoyed the movie, but when it topped $200 I figured he really wouldn't appreciate it that much! It's now at $370, which is a nice donation to the charity that will benefit.
