Just out of university, Andrea Sachs (Hathaway) is seeking a journalism career in New York when she lands a job as an assistant to the fearsome, powerful editor of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly (Streep). The problem is that Andy has no fashion sense. But she's smart, learns quickly and, with the help of a couple of colleagues (Tucci and Blunt), she joins the ranks of the "clackers" rattling around in their Jimmy Choo heels. But her boyfriend (Grenier) isn't sure he likes the new Andy. And neither is she.

Based on Lauren Weisberger's fictional account of her experiences at Vogue, the story has a ring of truth about it, exaggerated for comic effect. The pretentious fashion snobs are hilarious and a little scary--they really do believe they're on the cutting edge of the universe, and that they're entitled to glamour and privilege. But they are actually so out of touch that it's almost breathtaking.

Streep is at her comical best: imperious, razor sharp and thoroughly oblivious. Miranda's monolog outlining the trickle-down fashion theory is pure genius. And when she lets Miranda's mask slip, she adds a human edge to the character that nearly takes our breath away, even if it threatens to tip the film into sentimentality.

Hathaway, meanwhile, is a superb foil. She's feisty and beautiful, without ever being overdone like the rest of the fashionistas. She sparks off Streep perfectly, and her scenes with Grenier are also loaded with chemistry. And then there's Tucci, the consummate scene-stealer somehow making his stereotypical character fresh and engaging.

The script captures this jarring parallel universe sharply, with vivid characters, clever details and some terrific one-liners ("I'm just one stomach flu from my goal weight"). Which is why it's such a pity that it never gets beneath the surface; the filmmakers are more interested in the corny coming-of-age/rom-com plot machinations to bother with much depth. But never mind. With this cast and such a fabulous sense of fashion, the film is very nearly a must-see.

adult themes

3.Aug.06