In KHAMSA‘s new series, ‘Book vs. Movie’, we bring together two of our editors to sit and discuss a novel and film of the same name. Through this, we will explore the similarities and differences of both and how they stack up against each other as an experience.
For the first edition, KHAMSA’s Pranav Unnikrishnan and Sakina Juzar showcase two perspectives of The Devil Wears Prada, the novel by Lauren Weisberger and the movie starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. Through their words, we’ll explore what was gained or lost in the transition from page to screen, and whether the movie does justice to the book.
Let’s dive into the comparisons and see where their opinions land.
Pranav Unnikrishnan (P): “Here’s an opinion that will land me in hot water – as ruthlessly the movie variant of The Devil Wears Prada portrayed the fashion industry, it still wasn’t enough. There, have at me. Yes, I am exposed to this industry, albeit not directly. And no, this is not a cry for help. After all, I came up with ‘The Devil wears PRANAV’ ten minutes into getting this job.
“And why? Because when you read the book, you will swear the paper version of the realm is a black hole. I am in no way saying that the movie didn’t do justice to the industry (that is entirely a subjective thing), but if your biggest takeaway from the Anne Hathaway starrer was your complete rejection of the fashion industry, you NEED to read the book. The way the book portrays it is simply staggering, and not entirely in a glamorous way. Even so, as much as it showcased it to be a layered hell, it did not shy away from spotlighting the best parts of it, the one the surface world sees every single day. “
Sakina Juzar (S): “In the world of fashion media, if there is anything that gives us the closest peek into behind the scenes of this glamorous industry, it is Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada. Even if you are not into reading, or not a film fanatic, it is difficult to ignore this name. Renowned for its iconic characters and their dialogues (yes, Meryl Streep, of course) this book-turned-movie is a treat for anyone interested in the world of lights, camera, GLAM! How could we miss out on this discussion?
“‘Lesson versus achievement’—that’s the best way to sum up this entire debate, and you will soon found out what I mean. The Devil Wears Prada offers a glimpse into the real nature of the fashion industry, peeling back its glamorous reputation to reveal a world that’s anything but easy-going. The book dives into protagonist Andrea Sachs (Andy)’s journey, giving readers an in-depth look at her relationships with key characters and their own personalities, while the movie zeroes in on the intense hardships and personality-shifting pressures that come with the job.”
P: “The book is hardly perfect, especially with the complexities of the characters. I refuse to believe to this day that Miranda in the book was based on a real person. I actually thought the movie did a better job at humanizing some characters (Miranda and Emily).
“Book Miranda would not give a toss if someone in your family died or if you were on leave (although that is most bosses, to be fair). She would ask you to get coffee for her children in Paris at 4:00 am. The level of cold-heartedness book Miranda possessed is, well, levels above the movie variant, who although intimidating also showed traces of vulnerability. Indeed, movie Miranda is your boss after six drinks, while book Miranda shuns alcohol to keep herself sharp at all times.”
S: “Both versions make one thing clear: fashion is a demanding industry powered by the dedication of countless artists, designers, writers, and stylists. It’s a world that insists on hard work and deserves respect—and we couldn’t agree more. But don’t just take our word for it. Believe Miranda Priestly, the “Devil” in this context. After all, it’s actually Cerulean.
“Now that you have seen my favourite scene from the movie, let’s discuss the two main characters on display here. We begin with Andrea Sachs, the one actually going through a transformative journey in the fashion industry, the one that meets the “change” we keep talking about. And that is probably the only concept that the book and the movie Andy share.
“In The Devil Wears Prada, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) is a fresh Northwestern grad who is quiet, reserved, kind and dedicated, and lands the dream job “a million girls would die for,” assistant to Miranda Priestly, the ice queen and editor-in-chief of Runway. Although Andy’s true goal is journalism, she takes on this role hoping it’ll lead to bigger things. In the movie, she’s quiet, polite, and hard-working, tackling any task Miranda throws her way.
“Here’s a fun fact, Anne Hathaway, the Andy Sachs we all know and loved in the movie, was actually the production studio’s ninth choice. Their first choice was Rachel McAdams. Thinking about it, I personally don’t think anybody could have played the role better than Anne Hathaway. In the book, however, Andrea is almost an unpleasant surprise. She is everything that the movie Andy would disapprove of. Call me movie Andy, because the book babe was snarky, rebellious and believed that a lot of the work she was given was below her.
“Where I will give the book credit is how it gives a lot more on the who, what, when, where and why. It allows readers to get a deeper look into Miranda’s backstory, revealing more about her journey to the top. In my opinion, and this is where I sort of disagree, this glimpse behind her tough exterior not only humanizes Miranda, but also gives insight into the experiences that shaped her infamous demeanour, allowing readers to see the vulnerability beneath her hard-edged persona. It’s an important layer (that perhaps the movie should have prioritized IMO) that makes her more than just the “devil” in designer heels, but someone who has paid a price for her power.”
P: “Hahaha, as harsh as it was, Miranda absolutely toasted Andy in that scene. And I think that’s fair – certainly the beauty of Miranda’s character and the book/movie is that it brings out multiple layers of discussion. But honestly, while the scene you mentioned was peak fashion industry, it was not absolute in the movie. In terms of being a strict fashion critique, the book has the movie beat.
“I thought the book was a more biting satire of the fashion world, portraying it as unforgiving and harsh. There’s more focus on the dark side of the industry, and not just on an interpersonal level. I think generally, there are some out there (as Miranda herself expertly stated in the movie) who think the industry is a bit of a snobby enigma, one they are perfectly fine not dealing with. The fact is, the book shows us that the snobby/pretentious/whatever you want to call it part is only a tiny part of the wider problems. Indeed, even while reading the book, I felt like I was walking on eggshells. That feeling was sensational, despite being unnerving. A mark of a great book.”
S: “100% valid. I would also like to talk about the two love interests in the book and the movie (Alex Fineman in the book and Nate in the movie). Nate was much less respectful, supporting and encouraging of his girlfriend’s job. He was seen in agreement and some sort of relief (this is my opinion) whenever Andy was complaining about her job, her boss or the industry. He was seen constantly encouraging Andy to quit her job, and was visibly disappointed when she didn’t follow through with her mid-movie outburst stating she will quit. Book boyfriend was patient, respectful stuck his neck out for as long as he could, eventually succumbing to the ideological and personified distance between the two.
“While the concept of Andy losing her relationship to her job remained the same, the book had not granted Andy and Nate’s relationship a second chance. The movie, however, wanted her to achieve from her previous struggles. Which is why I mention lesson vs. achievement. The movie did a great job here.”
P: “Also, can we talk about Emily? She was absolute banter in the movie (thank you, Emily Blunt). In the book, however, she seemed way more, I don’t know, professional? I really thought Emily was ambitious and somewhat cold toward Andy, but their relationship remains mostly courteous with minimal growth.
“The movie gets points from me here, because Emily is EXACTLY the kind of co-worker I would picture. Sassy, a bit comic, passionate about fashion, and of course, absolutely mortified when Andy takes her spot. She was definitely more relatable, though that’s not a major slight towards the book.
“I also thought the book and the movie having two different endings was symbolic of the approaches they had taken. Book Andy quits on Miranda after being asked to run a pony coffee errand. She returns to New York, re-evaluates her life, and tries to reconnect with friends and family. Absolutely based BTW, and so is what movie Andy did. There, the ending is more cathartic and dramatic. Andy throws her phone into a fountain, symbolizing her decision to quit, and then receives a positive recommendation from Miranda for future jobs. The movie ends on a hopeful note, with Andy finding her own path in journalism. I loved this difference between the two so much, and think it is a defining point in their contrasts.”
S: “Lol, movie Emily being demanding and a bit mean in a funny manner was so well done, as was book Emily initially starting off as kind and supportive. I thoroughly rated the turning points of the movie and the book – the Fashion Week debacle. In the movie, Andy takes Emily’s spot despite knowing how much it means to her, showing just how far she’s fallen into the fashion world. But in the book, Emily’s sick with mono and tells Andy to go in her place, forcing Andy to choose between work and a trip with her boyfriend.
“Andy has a choice to continue the new life that will ask her to make personal sacrifices, and progressively alter her personality and beliefs. While the book teaches her lessons that followed that brief interaction with the sparkly and demanding life, the movie offers her a plethora of second chances, almost as an achievement for choosing her old life.”
P: “Could not have said that better myself. Hey, since we don’t have the book right now, do you want to binge clips from the movie? Aya won’t do a Miranda, yeah?”
