It is interesting, to say the least, that we seem to have an Aristocracy, an Elite... an Establishment which is regarded as the billion dollar Fashion Industry. Where women outwardly make themselves into whom they are not. They work tirelessly to get into impossible sizes, fitting into and owning the 'latest' styles of fashion and running the gamut of changes to their appearance, their credit & status to prove they are fully able to. When this began, if there was a certain beginning, this has since always been: the total conformity of a woman's Look. This film proves to poke more humorous holes into this theory - of having to live up to the bar constantly raising and petty ideals with Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) who now works for the Editor-in-Chief, Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep), of 'Runway' Magazine. She is the new second assistant to Miranda with the first assistant being Emily (Emily Blunt). Andy is responsible for running an important portion of the office and looking the part of the Gold Standard of upscale fashion. Miranda Priestly is regarded as modern-day Royalty in the Industry and the office staff is in obvious fear of her disapproval of which Miranda revels in this role. Meryl Streep totally takes hold of Miranda's personality with obvious self-righteousness over anything in her path, family and all. Her portrayal is a delight to behold.
Things progress in the office from Andy's introduction in dowdy plaid skirts with mismatched lumpy sweaters to the latest in Prada, Chanel and Hermes - thanks to the essential influence of the overseeing stylist of the office, Nigel (Stanley Tucci). He transforms Andy (aka "Pygmalion", "My Fair Lady", etc.) into a woman straight out of Runway magazine itself along with bolstering her new appreciation for her career. Will this soon go to her head with her new importance and status at Runway or will she be able to temper her new inner-drive in the direction of a new and untried self-fulfillment?
The Devil Truly Does Wear Prada here in Miranda Priestly who would sacrifice absolutely anything to undermine, sabotage or take over when the going gets tough for her personally and for her office/magazine. She is intimidating, manipulative and horribly critical as a boss, however, she never raises her voice above an almost whisper giving demands, opinions or criticisms. No shrinking violet whatsoever here. How would Andy fare with a life outside of this Industry; this career that has now made her a rising star and trusted ingenue? Or, will she be more likely to favor what she has grown so great at in a world of compromise?