29 thoughts while watching ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ from an off-duty therapist

I don’t wear Prada, but could I be the Devil? Or at least, part-Devil. Spoilies: Yes, I can.

This is a segment, dialoguing on dialogue, where I explore a piece of media–TV, movies or music—with first thoughts. Inspired by Emma Specter’s column for Vogue where she narrates her thoughts as she watches a movie, movie trailer, or gets a first look of an upcoming movie. This is my take on that, weaving my personal reflections together with any therapeutic concepts I stumble upon along the way. I am not teasing out every single concept—I’m off the clock. This is a creative, not a clinical, endeavor.

One thing before we jump in, I show up very much as myself here. Myself first, and all my other labels are secondary. If a therapist speaking candidly feels like too much to your system, that is absolutely is OK and this may not be the best particular newsletter for you.

In my plans, this The Devil Wears Prada piece would have come out around Paris Fashion Week. As it turns out, it was a few weeks ago. I have my finger on the pulse of the fashion world, clearly.

Based on the book of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada premiered in June 2006. The cast is stacked with actors who are now household names I could likely identify by their last names only: Streep. Hathaway. Blunt. Tucci.

As a pure movie lover through and through, a film like this, where you can just sit back and be taken on a trip in these very capable hands, is one of the greatest experiences.

It was also recently announced, after almost 20 years since the original, we have a sequel coming! Perfect timing for a re-visiting of a modern classic.

Image Credit: © TM and 2006 Twentieth Century Fox.

CAST

Miranda Priestly played by Meryl Streep

Andy Sachs played by Anne Hathaway

Emily played by Emily Blunt

Nigel played by Stanley Tucci

Christian Thompson played by Simon Baker

Nate played by Adrian Grenier

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Despite sincerely liking this movie, I’ve only seen TDWP a few times in its entirety. As you will soon see, watching it with my therapist hat on was a JOURNEY through the depths of my soul and identity.

If you don’t want to go any deeper on this film—if this is just purely a pleasure watch for you—I’d jump on the off ramp now. I’m serious. I spend roughly 10 minutes talking about the nuances of meanness. It’s not for everyone.

Let’s get to it, shall we.

1. Three seconds in and I’m already smiling. KT Tunstall filling up the air.

   “Suddenly I see (suddenly I see)

   This is what I wanna be”

   **it’s bouncy, nostalgic and full of foreshadowing, folks**