Fannish Obession (A Primer): The Devil Wears Prada
Ladies and Gentlemen the following statements, and recs will have spoilers for the movie. So please think before you click!
Yes, this is the name of a pretty good rock band, but it is also a movie adaption of a book by Lauren Weisberger. I haven't read the book, but I have a feeling the book was nowhere near as slashy as the film. The movie centers around Andrea 'Andy' Sachs who moves to New York City with her boyfriend to peruse her dream of becoming a journalist. Instead, she ends up working for Miranda Priestly, the Devil herself, Queen of the fashion industry, and Editor of the fashion magazine, Runway. Andy is hired as Miranda's slave, personal assistant. Eventually, despite her initial idealism, she gets sucked into the fashion world and turns into bit of a clacker ( 1. noun. a high fashion, sophisticated girl, always wearing the new Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent. Someone who knows the difference between the colors black and onyx.). Andy starts to put her job, and more importantly my fellow slashers, the needs of Mrs. Miranda Priestly ahead the needs of her family, friends, and her boyfriend, Nate.
The aforementioned boyfriend gives us, in my opinion the best quote of the whole entire movie: You know, in case you were wondering - the person whose calls you always take? That's the relationship you're in. I hope you two are very happy together.
What that speaks to me most about Miranda & Andy's relationship is the level of trust, loyalty, and intimacy between the two women as the movie progresses. At couple of points during the film Miranda confides in Andy about personal things such as her divorce, and the older woman's coupe to keep herself as editor of Runway. Things that Miranda would never confide in with the first assitant, Emily, Nigel, or even her own husband.What that speaks to me most about Miranda & Andy's relationship is the level of trust, loyalty, and intimacy between the two women as the movie progresses. At couple of points during the film Miranda confides in Andy about personal things such as her divorce, and the older woman's coupe to keep herself as editor of Runway. Things that Miranda would never confide in with the first assistant, Emily, Nigel, or even her own husband.
Miranda confiding in Andy about her divorce from Stephen
Eye-fucking much, ladies?
.
Hell, at another point in the movie Andy chooses Miranda over her long time boyfriend Nate just before she leaves for Paris. It was after only Miranda screwed over Nigel, that Andy chooses to leave.
Also another significant scene that I like to point out is the very end of the movie. In all rights, Miranda could have very easily black-listed Andy, and gave her bad recommendation; potentially destroying Andy's career. However, when Andy goes to interview for a job at the 'The New York Mirror' to Miranda tells the Editor that Andy was her greatest disappointment. However, to everyone's surprise Miranda also tells the editor that ' he would be a fool not to hire Andy'.
It is in my opinion that Miranda would have not done this for anyone, expect for Andy.
This statement, and along with Miranda smiling fondly as she watches Andy walk away tells me that against all odds Andy was able to touch Miranda emotionally.
This pairing, expect for John/Matt pairing, in the movie 'Live Free or Die Hard', is not what I usually would be routing for. However, the depth of emotion between the two women has managed to captivate me. Despite the twenty-five year age difference between Mirand and Andy, both women have an undeniable chemistry, and has a great dynamic between them.
In conclusion this movie is undeniably slashy as hell, and fortunately my friends; I'm not the only one shipping these two like fed-ex. The fandom is small, but is still very active--even after six years after the movie was first released. The fandom has a great community of writers, and artists.
A Picspam Interlude:
They are ton of good DWP fic around, and here is some of the (in my opinion) best out of the lot:
Completed Works
Truth and Measure by telanu : Andy doesn't leave Miranda in Paris, and learns that a single decision can change your life. But the main thing about decisions? You don't get to stop with one.If this fandom has a Magus Opus, this story is it. Long, and plotty. With great characterization and a great pace. Save this one for a rainy afternoon.
Miranda Priestly: Indisposed by kitnkabootle Miranda Priestly has never relied on anyone in her life. She has been in complete control of herself and her actions at all times. She has always made the rules and let other people follow those presets. She has been independent and she has never needed anyone. But there’s a first time for everything and Andrea Sachs is discovering that Miranda doesn’t enjoy ‘first times. ’Lord, I love this fic. Hurt/Comfort, but great smoldering UST between Miranda and Andy. Just the way I like it. The only bad thing I have to say, is that author seems to be borrowing Stephen is evil trope from Chilly-flame, and at first I thought I was reading a Chilly flame fic for a moment.
Small Favors-verse by chilly_flame.
Excerpt: Twice she’d seen her former co-worker scurrying out of the building on late nights, holding the book carefully, like a child in her arms. Andy had pushed down pangs of jealousy, still feeling that strange pull toward Miranda
Jesus, great. I loved it so much I had to read twice. Once again, plotty ahoy! Hot smoldering sex, and the romance makes me want to melt in my chair. I think of all the fics this is the fic that I will continuely go back to read.
The Trouble With Coffee by 2demented_muses
Excerpt: A flash of silver white hair three people up nearly knocked her back several steps. Blinking stupidly didn't change the vision. Discretely, she tilted her head out to the side, wanting confirmation while the very fiber of her being said she was being absurd. Miranda Priestly did not get her own coffee. Not in New York and not even in hell.
Yeah, the author's website is no longer up, but thanks to Wayback machine you can still find it on the internet. And it's worth digging it up from the bowls of wayback machine. Once again awesome characterization, plot, and pace. The romance was very well done, and realistic.
Andy Sachs and the Cleverly Worded Plot Device byhayseed_42: Andy has a secret. A big secret. The life-changing kind. The only question now is: what's going to happen when Miranda finds out? Because if Miranda didn't find out, it wouldn't be much of a story. In other news, this is a totally guessable crossover. Yes, an Harry Potter crossover~fusion. The difference between this and the others is that is well done. It's funny, especially Caroline and Cassidy's reaction to Andy's little secert. I love the story shows how much Andy struggles with her powers, and how she tries to find a place in both the muggle and wizarding world.
Works In Progress
Jigsaw by beachbum3668 Excerpt: She still couldn’t believe that she’d just walked away from her boss and her job. There was a large part of her that was still jumping for joy that she’d strode off across the square in righteous indignation, but now (several hours after the fact) there was also the more mature, intelligent part of her that was demanding to know just what the hell she thought she was doing. One did not abandon Miranda Priestly and expect to survive; most especially during Paris Fashion Week. Again, awesome characterization, and the plot is off the chain. I personally love Andy's interaction, and protectiveness of the twins. And the irony that it's the twins that help repair, and move Andy & Miranda's relationship to the next level. Not to mention the intrigue of the kidnapping plot. I really hope that at some point the author decides to update this fic.
You can find more stories and fanart at the devil wears prada community dvlwears_prada ,screencaps are courtesy of Cute-Poison.Org, and gifs are courtesy of writtensword
Please feel free to discuss your favorite scenes in movie, share gifs, videos, and photos. Along, with fiction recs/livejournal communities in this fandom that I might have missed.
Edit*: Now Crossposted on dreamwidth