Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Devil Wears Prada

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Modern Day Classic That Hits Close to Home

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021

Having worked in the entertainment business, I can relate to much of this film. My having to call up Coca-Cola plants to find Diet Coke in a glass bottle for a movie director who only drinks Diet Coke from a glass bottle is only one of many Herculean (and ultimately thankless) tasks I've had to accomplish. Also my suffering the defeat of having the director drink Diet Coke from a can because I purchased the wrong sized glass bottles. Lol. Yes, people can be monsters while still being human at the same time. Meryl Streep gives a masterful performance as the ultimate fashion diva, despite her character not having a character arc. Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, has a character arc. This allows her to sparkle in this film as her overworked assistant. Overall, this movie covers the life of modern-day workaholic tyrants and the employees who are all-too-willing willing to become slaves to them out of fear of missing out on a promotion that may never come. It is funny, intelligent...and worthy of its modern-day classic status.

6 people found this helpful

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Reader X

Great performances, especially by Meryl Streep

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2018

There are a lot of good parts to this fluffy comedy (performances by Streep, Blunt and Hathaway are faultless). But it gets sort of muddled what message Hathaway's character is supposed to be sending/receiving. First, she's a giant baby going into a job interview with no idea about the company, and an even more giant baby to whine incessantly about the demands of the job once she (against all probability) gets it. Yes, Meryl Streep plays a demanding and often mean boss. So what? As Hathaway's character herself argues, if a man did the same things, people wouldn't care because he was brilliant at his job. But in spite of that epiphany, Hathaway caves in to the FAR MORE IMPORTANT whims of her ridiculous boyfriend and leaves her job so she will have more free time to celebrate his birthdays, or something. She learns the all important lesson that not caring about fashion or your job is more noble, gives away all her nice clothes, and throws away her cell phone. (How does an unemployed journalism major afford a decent apartment in NYC, and also have the luxury of such expensive whims? Unexplained). Anyway, if you can ignore that absurd messaging and just want to watch Streep be amazing, go for it.

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GottaDoSumptin

More Than Entertainment

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2021

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This is the only movie in which I liked Meryl Streep. I think she’s over-rated as an actress. It escapes my comprehension on how she has garnered so many awards.

In any event, Streep was perfect for Miranda Priestly and gave the role credibility. Albeit a comedy, I learned a lot about the fashion industry and the missteps many young women take in their careers, so the film was educational and eye-opening. Therefore, I recommend its viewing for young women about to enter the workforce.

For the film itself, it captured the high-energy of New York City and the competitive undercurrent for white-collar women in a male-dominated culture. And, if you want to succeed and realize your dreams, best come to the table with proper training and tools. A well-made film, from pre- to post-production, worth watching.

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Abby H

Very different to the book.

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020

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So I rented this right after I finished reading the book. I needed to know why everyone hated the book compared to the movie. Well, I liked the book. I also liked the movie. BUT there were so many major differences. I think that if I would've watched the movie before reading the book, I would've been upset with the book. I think both are great stories but they take slight different paths. If you want to read the book, I suggest doing it before watching the movie.

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Cinematic Eye Candy

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2007

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There's a moment in "The Devil Wears Prada" in which Anne Hathaway's character crosses the invisible line that separates her boss's public and private life -- and Meryl Streep gives her this look. That's all...a look. And there's more in that single look than most other actresses put into entire performances. It conveys an extraordinary mix of disbelief, rage, vulnerability and a weird kind of admiration that's impossible to describe -- and all without a single word being spoken. That's the kind of hidden pleasure one gets in this surprisingly substantial adaptation of what I gather was pretty skin-deep chick lit. Having not read the book, I can't speak for the film as an adaptation, but as "disposable" entertainment, it's fast, funny and very, very entertaining. The screenplay is snappy, the fashions are, of course, fabulous, and the supporting cast is (almost) up to Ms. Streep's standards, particularly the hilarious Emily Blunt. Don't expect "profound" -- and why would you? -- and you'll be in for a rewarding two hour's worth of cinematic eye candy.

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I am nobody are you nobody too?

I really like this movie...I think I'm going to watch it again

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2015

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I really like this movie though I never read the book I think I will consider it for the future to compare the two. Not much of an Anne Hathaway fan for some irrational reason but I could stand her here because she seemed like the girl next door which I like. Meryl Streep definitely steals the show though in my opinion. She's a character whom you want to hate because she's just soo freaking mean but I can't help but feel some sympathy towards her. I have a deep appreciation for the fashion in this movie Anne Hathaway looked really stunning in most of the outfits she wore as well as Emily Blunt. Didn't really like the boyfriend's character in this movie he seemed kind of selfish like he can pursue his culinary dreams and she totally supports him but he's always bitching about her job. That got on my nerves a bit. Most importantly though this movie does have a message to it. The fashion world can definitely be very superficial and glamorous and enticing but you shouldn't lose yourself in it. That's why I love the ending because she just decides to leave that world and go back to her own humble own. That scene is truly very satisfactory when she abandons Meryl Streep in Paris can't help but smile and root for her.

5 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

With reservations, good movie about work versus personal life

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020

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The Devil Wears Prada is a stylishly made, well-acted, and well-written meditation on the trade-offs between career and personal life that are demanded in the modern world. It shows the conflicts occur when someone chooses to really "lean in" to their career, which are a natural part of life. The characters are mostly well thought out, particularly the "Devil" and her proteges.

What are my reservations, then? Well, most of the plot is well-constructed, with rational trade-offs being required between competing values. The ending, though, throws out the basic lesson and concept that the story is built around. It turns out there aren't trade-offs, and you can have it all, even if you completely neglect one side of your life for months or years at a time. In short, the last five or ten minutes of the movie basically severely damage the themes and ruin much of what the rest of the movie was doing. Still full of good performances, though!

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teols2016

Stylish With a Bit of Evil

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2014

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Did Meryl Streep study erial killers in preparation for her role? If o, it paid off as her character needed that sociopathic edge in order to be effective. I'm always a fan of character growth and transition and Anne Hathaway pulled that off perfectly and I couldn't have been happier for her character in the end...and yes, I enjoyed the trip to that destination. I also really enjoyed Stanley Tucci, who found that excellent balance between being a nice and decent person and someone who's been influenced by the fashion world a little too much...his snide remarks towards our heroine were all just right. In reality, I think the only reason I didn't give this film five stars was because I wanted to see if Miranda Priestly would take the time to call me to demand an explaination for my low rating. Enjoy.

One person found this helpful

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PM in NY

Meryl Streep walks ...or I should say "struts" ...away with the show

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2007

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"The Devil Wears Prada" is about a recent Ivy League graduate that can't find a job to pay the bills while waiting to be a successful writer. She finally lands a job as an assistant to the personal assistant of a top fashion magazine editor. The only trouble is she never heard of the editor, nor read the magazine, nor has any fashion sense. Unfortunately, the editor is a self-absorbed, fiercely ambitious woman who barely talks above a whisper, but has an attitude that is as frosty and drop dead cold as her hair.

And yet, this is a fun movie. Thanks to Meryl Streep who turns simple lines like "That's all" and "Why is nobody ready?" into comedic classics. She deftly rides the line between nasty and comical. As the movie develops, Ms. Streep is also able to break from the script's cliché of the lonely heart behind the powerful woman. Meryl Streep even decided to go an extra step and do one of these scenes with no make-up, a rarity in Hollywood movies, to show how tired, worn and, well...normal...her character really is.

So, what's the movie like when Meryl isn't in a scene? Not as good. Anne Hathaway plays the new assistant, but with not nearly as many shades as Meryl Streep. After a particularly nasty chewing out by the boss, Ms. Hathaway's character decides to give herself a fashion makeover, take her job seriously and impress the boss. However, unlike Ms. Streep, Anne Hathaway can not break out of the script's predictability to make it more engaging. Other developments of her character, equally predictable, bring the movie dangerously close to showing its "chick lit" roots. As a repeat viewer of this movie, most of these scenes are frequently skipped.

Other characters are Anne Hathaway's boyfriend, who is a bland sounding board for Anne. Two others, however, a loyal long suffering employee played by Stanley Tucci and the other assistant, played by Emily Blunt, manage to edge into Meryl's limelight and generate a few laughs and some interest.

But it's Meryl Streep, by flinging her coat or tossing a steak after half a bite, or simply saying "That wasn't a question", that generates laughs, amazement and even, once in awhile a "Gee, I'd like to try working for her."

3 people found this helpful

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Jonathan Carlson

Mostly solid film, Prada looks devishly good on Blu-ray

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2007

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The Devil Wears Prada has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm a guy who loves romance, comedies, and other chick flicks; however, my sense of fashion (or even interest in it, for that matter) is lacking, and I don't have a desire to jump into the fashion world. I suppose Miranda Priestly would completely despise me, but that's not such a bad thing.

The Devil Wears Prada is about Andy Sachs--a recent graduate looking to make something happen for herself in the professional world. She's interested mostly in journalism, but, unfortunately, she's run into little to no luck landing a job. This supposed strike against her doesn't appear to be as bad as the one she experiences within the first 15 minutes of the film. For some strange reason, she applies and interviews for an assistant-to-the-chief-editor position at Runway, the world's premiere magazine in fashion. The reason this is so strange is that she literally has no sense of fashion whatsoever (an understatement! Watch the first ten minutes and you'll know what I mean, and I don't even have a sense of fashion!). Miranda (Chief Editor) takes one look at her and practically judges Andy's entire life based on the sweater and skirt she's wearing. It's a subtle, tense, and completely hilarious scene all at once, and we see Andy leave in disgust as she's sure she's not gotten the job.

Well, as odd ironic movie fate would have it, Andy lands the job and works as Miranda's second assistant. The film steadily shows Andy's strong dedication to her job and her ever-increasing fashionable side. She grows into a character whom she loves and eventually dislikes, leading to more irony and self-realization.

Even though the film does not have incredible character arcs and overwhelming tension, it still remains clever and well-written. The actors (especially Streep and Blunt) give outstanding performances, and it's through these listed elements that makes this film one to enjoy a few times over.

***Blu-ray***
The Blu-ray disc for The Devil Wears Prada is single layer BD-25, and the picture comes across strong in most scenes. The city takes are relatively short, so don't expect to be blown away by nighttime New York (there's just not much to oooh aaaww at here), and there's really no special effects because, honestly, this isn't an action film. But the colors are all natural and breath-taking, keeping the film relateable instead of surreal. What you see is a drama about fashion and self-realization delicately worked on by hi-def fashion artists. The film works and so does its picture. Take it for what it is, and you should be pleased.

3 people found this helpful

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Diego Banducci

Highly entertaining film suffers from a weak ending

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2007

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.
There aren't too many films that feature a successful (and in this case, ruthless) business woman, much less manage to be entertaining in the process. The only other one I can think of is an HBO television movie about Mary Kay, made several years ago. The Battle Of Mary Kay Both movies have excellent older actresses in the lead role (Meryl Streep here and Shirley MacLaine as Mary Kay).

Knowing nothing about the fashion industry, I also found this film educational, although I tend to doubt the oft-repeated mantra that "a million girls want your (Anne Hathaway's) job." It seems to me that most of the intelligent young woman I know have their heads screwed on properly and aren't about to be diverted by an ill-advised foray into a snake pit.

Still, this is a entertaining film, and a lot of fun. The ending, as indicated in the above title, is both weak and unbelievable. In fact, the entire film would have been a lot better without the secondary romance between Anne and her boyfriend.

If you want to read a knowledgeable and very funny book about the fashion industry, try Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre. Dana Thomas .

One person found this helpful

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Father of four

Another great performance by Meryl Streep

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2006

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Meryl Streep is perhaps one of the greatest actresses of recent note. She is capable of carrying a movie and clearly outshines her cast in this movie. The movie is in a way predictable, but you find yourself liking and sympathizing with "the Devil" due to the immense talent Ms. Streep employs to bring the character to life on the screen. Also notable is the performance rendered by Stanley Tucci as Nigel (vs his villainous role in Terminal) - a good solid portrayal of a loyal second that never questions, never complains in a way that humanizes the woman who employs him. Nigel is convincing in his understanding of the woman most others hate. On a broader level, this movie highlights and pokes fun at a world most of us will never see (and fortunately so). Well worth viewing.

2 people found this helpful

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