The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada isn't a brilliant film, but it certainly is an entertaining one. Reminiscent of bygone Hollywood social comedies, Prada is both an examination of the fashion world as well as a commentary on business and a cautionary melodrama about what can go wrong when our life's energies are misdirected. The former conceit works splendidly and it is here that Meryl Streep--in all of her icy, caustic wrath--comes of brilliantly (as does Stanley Tucci who, in many ways, steals the show).

The second conceit is not as convincing, through no fault of Anne Hathaway who makes the transformation from girl next door to glam queen with delicious believability. The Cinderella, fairy tale aspects of the film just come off as too preachy to truly work.

But it is funny and it is fun. It reminded me of the full page ads found in so many fashion magazines upon which the film's primary set pieces are based--slick and glossy and wonderful to admire. Then we close the magazine and pick up "The New Yorker" for something with a bit more substance.