The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Watched in preparation for seeing the sequel. (The choice of seeing the sequel not entirely being in my own hands.)

First half thoughts

• very exciting, almost feels like a corporate thriller (high urgency tasks, getting things done in the nick of time, etc)
• it's about proving that you can do something people doubt you can
• it's very rewarding and exciting to see someone succeed despite the odds seeming against them
• i anticipate there's going to be a downfall and recovery, perhaps revealing something about the devil's personality - a softer side perhaps?
• i also sense some falling out with her friends - already hints of the distance between them and her increasing

Ending thoughts

• my prediction was kinda right - downfall with her friends/bf, and then recovery by the end. Also devil showed softer side
• happy ending because we are rooting for her to do the job she actually wants to be doing. (Which concerns me about the second movie because she probably changed her mind or something.)
• message of not overworking / staying in a toxic workplace. Otherwise it will affect the rest of your life. Also stop and think about if what you're doing really aligns with your values and what you're looking for.
• yet by the end, Andrea has been improved by the job. She is more confident in herself, better communicator (maybe?), knows how to deal with people. And better sense of style ofc. And she did benefit from having the devil's recommendation for her next job.
• that moment of just walking away (quitting). Kind of cliche/silly but also kind of powerful. Like it just makes so much sense for her to do that once she realizes the job doesn't align with her she is / wants to be
• at the start, the job was kind of random, one of two places that would hire her and not even for what she really wanted. But she gets pulled into the world and actually is good at the job. It's takes a bit to snap out of it and pull herself away from it.
• devil is this infamous dragon figure but andrea penetrates that image - sees the softer side, becomes a confidante, and devil says she sees herself in her. There's something appealing and fun about seeing this undermining of a harsh image.

DWP 2 (sequel)

It had some touching moments but I was often bored and not feeling into the plot. Perhaps it felt like much more of a plot-driven movie rather than character-driven compared to the original. I was feeling pleased by the end, though, so that's something.