The Things I Learned From "The Devil Wears Prada"

Posted on February 28, 2010 06:00 pm by Trixie Reyna, Cosmo.ph Managing Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Fox 2000 Pictures

By The Devil Wears Prada (2006) I mean the movie, which I love more than the book (and this is not usually the case for film adaptations of novels that I like). And by 'things I learned' I don't mean how to be a Miranda Priestly. There are several reasons I can watch this movie over and over without getting tired of it, and even quote some of the lines (which, I discovered last year, some people are also fond of doing).

One of them is Meryl Streep’s amazing portrayal of “devil incarnate” Miranda Priestly. Then there’s Anne Hathaway’s Andrea (Andy) Sachs, with whom I can truly sympathize. Of course, I also love all the outfits she wore, post-makeover. In fact, one of my favorite scenes is that quick sequence showing her in various outfits right after Nigel (Stanley Tucci) gave her access to The Runway Closet.

But my most favorite scene by far is the one in which Andy goes to Nigel after Miranda was “terrible” to her, after yet another booboo (pre-makeover). This marked the turning point in Andy’s life in Runway magazine. I shall quote excerpts for you below:

Andy (to Nigel): I don't know what else I can do because if I do something right, it's unacknowledged. She doesn't even say thank you. But if I do something wrong, she is vicious."

Nigel: So quit. I can get another girl to take your job in five minutes—one who really wants it.

Andy: No, I don't want to quit. That's not fair. I'm just saying that I would just like a little credit for the fact that I'm killing myself trying.

Nigel: Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? [...] You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work, you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart.

Why do I love this little exchange? Because it serves as a wakeup call when I feel like giving up. I love my job, but when I’m just so exhausted, when I feel overworked yet underappreciated, it’s so easy to whine and complain and want to quit. But whenever I remember this scene from the movie, I am brought back to the reality that my job is actually something some people can only dream of having—it’s something I myself only once dreamed of having; that I should be grateful I’m actually doing what I love to be doing, and not some boring job I can never find enthusiasm for; and that my performance and fulfillment in my career should not really depend on my superiors' or colleagues’ approval or appreciation. My measure of success should instead come from how close I get to doing and giving my best in this job—the job I wholeheartedly chose to do.

I recently had a conversation with a dear friend whose passion in life revolves around working in the kitchen. He said that if he can’t be the best in the culinary field, he might as well just quit—because there’s no point in not being the best in what you love to do. And while I did tell him it was quite a rash thing to think, I saw his point. Because really, if you can’t give your best, your all, to what you love to do, how else can you excel in other things that are of less importance to you? You wouldn't want to live a mediocre life, would you?

Tags: The Devil Wears Prada,Anne Hathaway,Meryl Streep,Miranda Priestly,Andy Sachs,fashion,magazine,work,career,movie,job

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10 Comments

• 
  angel_love_song
  10. if you already have a job that a million girls would die for, its time to be grateful. tama ka doon. :)
  April 22, 2010 at 08:56 pm report abuse
• 
  flyingfish
  9. sabi nga ng tatay ko, gagawin mo narin, edi gawin mo ng tama:)
  April 03, 2010 at 12:40 am report abuse
• 
  jannicesilver
  8. probably one of the most memorable opening sequences ever: anne hathaway prepares for work while in the background, you can hear kt tunstall's 'suddenly i see"
  March 21, 2010 at 12:58 am report abuse
• 
  Santori01
  7. Some say: Dont complain on jobs you have..some have nothing.. I say: if you feel like that work day is just another day..better find job would make you feel to look forward to another day...:)
  March 17, 2010 at 05:39 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  6. I love Devil Wears Prada! It's a chick flick!
  March 15, 2010 at 08:07 pm report abuse
• 
  Santori01
  5. Ive watched this movie and its really an eye opening.. it best tlaga if the job you choose is your dream job BUT make sure that Happiness is there...
  March 13, 2010 at 02:01 am report abuse
• 
  mary_ann_lei
  4. I learned many things from this movie! As in super relate!
  March 12, 2010 at 11:44 am report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  3. Find a job that will make you happy as if you're not working for it. And I wouldn't want to live a mediocre life!
  March 11, 2010 at 05:32 pm report abuse
• 
  kay13
  2. i so love this movie..
  March 10, 2010 at 10:12 pm report abuse
• veronica11
  1. Hi Trixie! :) Have you seen The September Issue? You'll pick up lots of interesting lines there too. :) This is one of my favorites: "She's just a woman doing her job." Congrats again! Cheers! :)
  March 02, 2010 at 12:48 am report abuse

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