But beyond that, the movie reminds me of my very first job as a graphic designer at a Miami design firm that shall remain nameless, and that my former boss shall only be referred to as "The Devil" in this blog. Fresh-faced and out of college, my job was entry-level, soul-sucking, and painfully character-building, having to face an evil boss every day who is much like Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), editor of Runway magazine. And, just like Anne Hathaway's character, Andy, all I had to do was last one year – that was my own benchmark – and then I would have some experience under my belt in order to go get a better, bigger job.
Some scenes and quotes from the movie that bring on frighteningly vivid flashbacks:
"How many times do I have to scream your name, Emily?" [but her name is Andy!]
The Devil used to call her employees by the wrong name. Several times, she yelled out for the copywriter from deep in The Dungeon (her office), calling for Danielle. But. Danielle was long gone, and Andrea was the new copywriter who had replaced her. Once, The Devil called Rodrigo who had worked there for a year, Roberto. Seriously? Seriously?? Was this done purposely to mess with us, to assert a certain alpha-boss dominance?
"Please bore someone else with your questions."
I've literally heard this exact phrase, word for word, countless times. Along with "It's not rocket science [you silly, stupid girl]" and "Why can't you do anything right?"
"Get me Isaac. I don't see my breakfast or eggs here. Pick up the Polaroids. Have the brakes checked on my car. Where is that piece of paper I had in my hand the other morning? Go get Patricia. Get me that little table that I like at that store on Madison. Get us a reservation for dinner tonight at that place that I like..."
{ image courtesy of IGN }
This scene is a montage of Miranda Priestly dumping her coats onto Andy's desk to hang up, day after day, as she barks out a litany of non-sensical tasks and vague demands. It sets the stage for Miranda Priestly's diva-esque character, but makes me shiver every time as this was actually my life, trying to figure out what the hell piece of paper The Devil had in her hand the other morning (since I shouldn't bore her with my questions), or trying to move The Batmobile (her car) without incident out of the teeny-tiny parking spaces in the garage because Jorge the parking valet hated The Devil who never gave him a Christmas bonus and therefore hated all of us, so he would maliciously double-park our cars in positions that we couldn't maneuver out of when we were stuck after hours at the office. And, I'll always remember that time The Devil picked on me (little me, of all people!) to throw out a giant, heavy computer – the computer belonged to an Art Director she had just canned – and you could hear them screaming bloody mary at each other from The Dungeon.
"I am so baffled. Why is it so impossible to put together a decent run-through? You people have had hours and hours to prepare. It's just so confusing to me. Why is no one ready?"
I've come a long way.
You can't hear the ingratiatingly sing-songy, condescending lilt that punctuated every statement or question, but Meryl really perfected my boss, The Devil, to the core.
Sure, there was a whole lot of screaming, put-downs, late nights, and even the occasional muffin-throwing at The Devil. But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. And that's what this 22k job did, slave labor at a menial wage when you figure the sheer number of hours I worked. It mentally and emotionally prepared me for a tough industry, built a strong work ethic and exceptionally high personal standards, which I truly now believe puts me a cut above the rest. Plus, I made friends for life there.
While this movie could have been about my life back then, there were some subtle differences, too. The Devil doesn't really wear Prada in my version of the film slash life. It was black, Spandexy tunic tops and earth-mother jewelry. Also, Andy quits to maintain her integrity before her one year is up, while I was cheated of this satisfaction because I got axed just one week before my year. But don't feel bad.
The Devil used to fire minions for much less, and in fewer than a few days of starting the job, so I consider it an accomplishment I made it that far.
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