HELL ON HEELS.

Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a journalism graduate, gets a job as an assistant to the demanding editor of a New York fashion magazine; she doesn’t know the first thing about this world, but is soon transformed.

This popular adaptation of the Lauren Weisberger bestseller has a predictable formula where Hathaway’s character learns lessons about her job and herself, but it’s a classy, entertaining journey.

The actors bring out a certain depth in their characters, not least Meryl Streep as the complex, tough-as-nails, impeccably dressed, Anna Wintour-inspired Miranda, and Stanley Tucci as her long-suffering underling. Hathaway matches them as the newcomer.

2006-U.S. 109 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by David Frankel. Screenplay: Aline Brosh McKenna. Novel: Lauren Weisberger. Cast: Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly), Anne Hathaway (Andrea Sachs), Stanley Tucci (Nigel), Simon Baker, Emily Blunt, Adrian Grenier… Gisele Bündchen. Cameos: Heidi Klum, Valentino. 

Trivia: Michelle Pfeiffer, Glenn Close and Catherine Zeta-Jones were considered for the part of Miranda; Rachel McAdams and Kate Hudson as Andrea. Followed by The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026). Later a stage musical.

Golden Globe: Best Actress (Streep). 

Quote: “Who is that sad little person? Are we doing a before-and-after piece I don’t know about?” (Tucci to Streep after talking to Hathaway)

Last word: “The formative film for me was Unzipped, the Isaac Mizrahi documentary. He’s exuberant, flamboyant, funny, revels in some of the silliness of the fashion world, but is also very serious, and his life’s very demanding. Unzipped showed how difficult and challenging it is to be excellent every time out, and be judged mercilessly by so many people. Miranda, although not a designer, puts out a magazine every month judging designers and being judged herself. The magazine that’s celebrating this world has to take it seriously.” (Frankel, AWFJ)