The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada started off as a successful novel in 2003. As with many successful novels it inspired Hollywood to create a movie. The reason so many novels are turned into movies is that they have a built in audience. Like the movie or hate it, people were familiar with the novel will often go to see the movie. So that gives Hollywood an idea that there will be a base audience. At least enough to make back the production costs with a small profit. Hollywood is business, business is money, so money drives movies.

The film is loosely based on the novel. So there are bound to be differences. Just as a high-rise building is based on concrete. That doesn’t mean the building is made out of concrete. It’s made out of steel, glass and other materials. So if you read the novel, don’t be surprised to see differences in the plot.

The plot goes like this. A journalism school graduate lands a dream job as assistant to the editor of a prominent fashion magazine. Once on the job she’s a fish out of water. But gradually she begins to dress more stylishly and act more like the people she once made fun of. When a coworker who often makes fun of her makes a big mistake Andrea saves the day. As a result she’s asked to accompany her boss to a fashion show in Paris. While there she witnesses her boss ruthlessly destroy a coworker in order to save her own position.

The girl realizes she has become the very thing she once hated. She leaves the magazine to return to her boyfriend and a job as a journalist. But she has earned the grudging respect of both her former boss and the coworker who once made fun of her. In fact it’s her former boss who gives her the recommendation that gives her the job at the newspaper.

It was very popular. It’s possibly due to two reasons. One, as stated earlier, movies based on novels have a built in audience. More than likely many former readers went out to see the movie. Secondly, it’s a good story with a moral. It shows that in some professions people have to act ruthlessly to get ahead. But when people are true to themselves, they can find success.

If you haven’t already seen the Devil Wears Prada, it’s a good idea to rent. Or read the book. Or both.

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