Gets better and better with each watch. Though on this round I've noticed the dynamic between Miranda and Andy is quite literally structured and filmed like a romance. This might be the perfect romcom without intending to be (director's choice):
Andy meets Miranda (Girl meets Boy)
In a romcom, the first meeting usually establishes imbalance. Andy walks in clueless. Miranda already owns the room. Andy's entrance to the office is pure comedy. The film doesn't introduce Miranda like a boss. It introduces her like a romantic lead. Music shifts. When Miranda finally looks at Andy, the camera lingers. Miranda stares. She gazes Andy up and down in slow passes. Head to toe. The movie lets the moment breathe so you can't tell if Miranda is assessing a problem, and/or reading her to filth. Romcom logic says: attraction disguised as judgment. That's "girl bumps into boy and everything is in motion."
Miranda Tests Andy (Boy gives impossible tasks).
After the meet-cute, romcoms move into trials typically. One character pushes. The other proves devotion. Miranda assigns tasks that makes Andy go insane. I mean come on...the Harry Potter unpublished manuscript fiasco, that literally should not be possible. But it says "Let's see how far you'll go for me" for her. This is where one person keeps escalating to see if the other will stay. Whenever Andy succeeds, the edit cuts back to Miranda's face. Not showing emotion, but you can tell, she's almost entertained. She's not thinking sbout how good of an employee she is for her, she's thinking, "Interesting."
Romcom bay logic: I didn't expect this much effort, but I'm watching what you choose to put in. Andy becomes "worthy" in a sense. (Girl impresses boy)
Every romcom has this part where the main protagonist becomes visible to the love interest. Andy's fashion transformation is filmed exactly like that. Several outfits changed through numerous transitions, walking in slow-motion through the office as if we are seeing her through everyone else's eyes, or maybe Miranda's? Pop music, people turning their heads. Who does the camera return to? Miranda, of course. Gears turning inside her head. Her attention is set on Andy. The middle act of the movie is spent of Miranda trying to shape Andy. Mid-romcom is when fun games turn into emotional ones. Miranda starts giving Andy closer access to her entire world in the fashion industry, but that comes with her merit. Being near her, explaining fashion philosophy. The cerulean monologue isn't just Miranda's way of kicking her ass infront of everyone else in her office, it's also Miranda showing Andy into her worldview. The tone changes too. Mirande's voice is quiet around Andy in ways she never does with others (still incredibly condescending as hell though). She still controls her, but her control becomes tailored to her. Miranda's dominance when she's doing these actions is also her way of being intimate while pulling the strings.
The choice part. (Boy gives girl ultimatum) Every rom-com eventually forces a choice: career, identity, love, morality, etc. That arrives in Paris. Miranda asks Andy to stay aligned with her. She manipulates Andy to betray Emily and go to Paris. When they're in Miranda's hotel room. This is where we see her at her lowest. She allowing Andy to see her be so emotionally stripped and vulnerable infront of her by talking about the divorce. In romcom, she's saying: This is what it costs to be with me. Andy finally realizes what kind of relationship she's actually in. A possible future self. Andy recognizes what she'll become if she stays.
Andy Walks Away, Breakup. (Boy loses girl)
Every romcom shows separation before resolution. "Everyone wants to be us." Andy realizes this is the Andy's quitting scene is staged like a breakup. point of no return. What will she become il she delves down this road further with Miranda? When the limo stops, Andy gets out into the drizzle, and goes in the opposite direction from Miranda. Going separate ways. Miranda eventually sees Andy is not there in the crowd, and it's too late for anything else. Miranda doesn't chase her, but you see this look on her face. For once she's not angry:
her face exudes disappointment. Rule: The one who loses never pursues. The one who wins, bathes in the freedom they choose when they walk away.
Time passes. (Boy and girl reconnect for a brief moment)
Later, Miranda and Andy see each other in the city. from across the street. Andy waves. Miranda kind of gives the nod. That's it. It's acknowledgment. The end is seen as Andy survives Miranda, and what she got from that was learning experience. Structurally, it behaves like a romantic comedy where power replaces kissing and ambition replaces longing.
Girl meets boy,
Boy tests girl.
Girl transforms.
Girl impresses boy. Boy gives girl ultimatum.
Girl chooses herself, and boy loses girl. + bonus: sometimes time will pass. Girl and boy see each other. They lock eyes, and acknowledge each other in a final, more bittersweet goodbye. That happens here.
"Everybody wants to be us." Gets better and better with each watch. Though on this round I've noticed the dynamic between Miranda and Andy i
So apparently in the devil wears prada 2 Miranda and team will travel like to Italy or smth. IF we already get few fanfic tropes scenes from the trailer MAYBE we can get “one room/one bed” type of thing too??
I’m questioning my sanity because what the fuck like i understand there is no way such basic fanfic trope will be displayed in tdwp2 but at the same time what do you mean MIRANDA PRIESTLY COME TO ANDY’S HOUSE AND FLIRT WITH HER THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TRAILER
a vision is taking shape. as always, when it comes to stories i have clear plans but, as always they will sink or swim based on whether or not they reach an audience. this being a series of novels is probably the greatest creative risk i've taken so far and i've taken some big ones in my life XD
but yeah. we'll see how it goes. book 1 will be finished by may. then crowdfunder in october because, yknow. appropriate
you can listen to an audiobook sample of the first few chapters of book 1 if this looks interesting to you (it's an earlier draft but it's mostly still current)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2hKZ_W3xhg
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