the devil Wears Prada Released in 2006, it has only solidified its cult status with each passing year. Not everyone walks into their workplace wearing Jimmy Choo stilettos, a Dolce sheath dress and a bright orange designer poncho (girls who understand this, understand this!). But the magical world of Runway with Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway’s Andrea Sachs and Emily Blunt’s Emily Charlton transports you there the moment you hit the play button. A Puck report has confirmed that the film will definitely be getting a sequel with Meryl and Emily reprising their roles.
This is a good time to remember that Streep was championing female-led films, called ‘chick flicks’, before they became a vogue. Here’s a look at some of her best films.
the devil Wears Prada
the devil Wears Prada (2006) is a love letter to Hollywood’s luxurious costumes for girls all over the world. You don’t have to have your nose in fashion magazines to understand the beautiful chaos depicted in this film (Andy certainly didn’t). Even if fashion isn’t ‘your thing’, David Frankel’s film has something for every corporate girl trying to make it big in this world. It has Miranda’s charm, Emily’s passion and Andy’s candor to leave you feeling inspired. And if that’s not what you really want at the moment, there are always clothes, shoes and makeovers for you to drool over.
Mama Mia!
If musical shows aren’t already entertaining enough, Mama Mia! (2008) has Meryl and Amanda Seyfried having a beautiful maternal chemistry that keeps you emotionally engaged. While the real intention amid all the song and dance is for Amanda’s Sophie to find out which of her mother Donna’s (played by Meryl) ex-lovers is her biological father, the film actually ends on a very important note. Not only does this film highlight the pure essence of a mother-daughter bond, but it also plays on the fact that you don’t really need a blood relation to mean something to someone. There’s no shortage of eye-popping plot lines with names like Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth in the star cast.
If you are not satisfied with this movie, watch its second part Mamma Mia! is back was also released in 2018.
Julie and Julia
Meryl starred opposite Amy Adams in the 2009 biographical comedy-drama. Julie and Julia. Meryl plays 1950s culinary icon Julia Child, while Amy plays the humble neighborhood girl Julie Powell in 2002. The film alternates between these two time periods, where both women attempt to find themselves through an endless stream of kitchen experiments. While Julia achieves this by writing her cornerstone cookbook, Julie carries on the legacy by attempting to add meaning to her humdrum life by spending every day making one of the 524 recipes preserved in that same cookbook.
the devil wears prada The film also stars Stanley Tucci, although he plays the husband of Meryl’s Julia, which is fun to watch. The film is made even more interesting by the fact that both the plots depicted in the film are inspired by the real experiences of Julia Child and Julie Powell. This film is a must watch.
she Devil
Meryl has starred in many strong drama films during his career, especially in his early years, and this has earned him the reputation of being a ‘serious actor’. However, he has also done light-hearted screenplays on occasion. One such underrated film is she Devil (1989). While Meryl plays an unabashed homewrecker in the film, Roseanne Barr takes up most of the story as a wife and mother who vows to destroy the lives of her husband and his mistress – along with her posse of women. Definitely check this out if you think you’re a girl’s girl!
Postcards from the edge
Mike Nichols’ Postcards from the edge (1990) may not exactly be light-hearted, but the plot and acting really capture the essence of redemption. This film, starring Meryl as the (fictional) actress Suzanne Vail, can’t really be judged as a perfect drama as it has some moments of dark comedy. But the message it conveys is that you can really get your life back together, even if you feel like everything is falling apart – a reminder we all need from time to time.
What is your favorite Meryl Streep movie?
