The Devil Wears Prada (film)

The Devil Wears Prada (film)
Name	The Devil Wears Prada
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	David Frankel
Producer	Wendy Finerman
Screenplay	Aline Brosh McKenna
Based on	The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Starring	Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier
Music	Theodore Shapiro
Cinematography	Florian Ballhaus
Editing	Mark Livolsi
Studio	Fox 2000 Pictures, Wendy Finerman Productions
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Released	2006, 06, 30
Runtime	109 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$35–41 million
Gross	$326.7 million

The Devil Wears Prada (film) is a 2006 American comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep as the formidable fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, with Anne Hathaway as her new assistant, Andy Sachs. A critical and commercial success, the film is a sharp satire of the fashion industry and workplace dynamics, earning Streep an Academy Award nomination and becoming a defining cultural touchstone of the 2000s.

Plot

Recent journalism graduate Andy Sachs secures a job as the junior assistant to the notoriously demanding editor-in-chief of *Runway* magazine, Miranda Priestly, despite her lack of interest in fashion. Under the guidance of the cynical first assistant Emily Charlton and the magazine's supportive art director Nigel Kipling, Andy is thrust into the high-pressure world of the New York fashion scene. As she struggles to meet Miranda's impossible demands, Andy undergoes a dramatic physical and professional transformation, which strains her relationships with her boyfriend Nate Cooper and friends like Lily Goodwin. The plot culminates during Paris Fashion Week, where Andy witnesses the cutthroat corporate machinations of Elias-Clark and must choose between the glamorous but ruthless life at *Runway* and her personal integrity.

Cast

* Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, the intimidating editor-in-chief of *Runway* magazine. * Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Miranda's earnest new assistant. * Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, Miranda's senior assistant. * Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling, the witty and talented art director at *Runway*. * Simon Baker as Christian Thompson, a charming writer for The New Yorker. * Adrian Grenier as Nate Cooper, Andy's chef boyfriend. * Tracie Thoms as Lily Goodwin, Andy's best friend. * Rich Sommer as Doug, Andy's friend. * Daniel Sunjata as James Holt, a prominent fashion designer.

Production

Development began at Fox 2000 Pictures after producer Wendy Finerman acquired the rights to Lauren Weisberger's roman à clef, which was loosely based on the author's experiences as an assistant to Anna Wintour at *Vogue*. Aline Brosh McKenna wrote the screenplay, with David Frankel hired to direct. Key filming locations included New York City and Paris, with the *Runway* offices recreated on soundstages. Patricia Field, renowned for her work on *Sex and the City*, served as the costume designer, creating iconic looks that authentically captured the world of high fashion. Streep's performance was heavily influenced by figures like Anna Wintour and Clint Eastwood, utilizing a deliberate, soft-spoken delivery to convey authority.

Themes and analysis

The film is a pointed satire of the fashion industry's elitism and excess, critiquing its impact on personal identity and ethics. Central themes include the cost of ambition, the commodification of self, and the complex nature of mentorship within a toxic workplace. Andy's transformation from an outsider in a L.L.Bean sweater to a chic insider mirrors the film's exploration of assimilation and sacrifice. Miranda Priestly, while often viewed as a villain, is also analyzed as a tragic figure navigating the immense pressures and sexist double standards of corporate leadership, particularly within the media empire of Elias-Clark. The narrative dissects the power dynamics in offices like *Runway*, comparing them to the cutthroat environment of its real-world counterparts.

Reception

Upon its release, the film was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its sharp script, direction, and particularly the performances of Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt. Roger Ebert of the *Chicago Sun-Times* commended its intelligence, while publications like *The New York Times* highlighted its entertainment value. Commercially, it was a major box office hit, grossing over $326 million worldwide against a $35–41 million budget. At the 79th Academy Awards, Streep received a nomination for Best Actress, and the film won several awards, including a BAFTA for Blunt. It also received accolades from the Costume Designers Guild for the work of Patricia Field.

Legacy

*The Devil Wears Prada* has endured as a significant cultural phenomenon, with countless lines of dialogue, especially from Streep's character, entering the popular lexicon. It is frequently cited in discussions about workplace culture, fashion journalism, and female authority in film. The film bolstered the careers of its cast, particularly Emily Blunt, and remains a staple in popular culture, referenced in television shows, other films, and media analysis. Its depiction of the fashion industry, while dramatized, continues to be a benchmark for narratives about magazine publishing and personal ambition, securing its status as a modern classic in the comedy-drama genre.

Category:2006 films Category:American comedy-drama films Category:Films about fashion Category:20th Century Fox films