For each Andy on the planet, there’ll at all times be an Emily, who’ll each scare and encourage her. That woman is certainly robust. Along with managing Miranda Priestly’s complete each day life, she’s been carrying a complete load of expectations of how she ought to look and the way she ought to be. You possibly can squint your eyes at her physique picture insecurities all you need, however can you actually say that her worry of being rejected is unwarranted?
David Frankel’s The Satan Wears Prada is iconic for a lot of causes. Set towards the backdrop of the style business, it’s typically listed among the many finest style flicks of all time. However my favourite factor concerning the film is the way it satirizes systematic misogyny and physique picture obsession with a chortle. Frankel’s dig at magnificence requirements is light-hearted, virtually like a roast. You’re feeling the pinch, however you possibly can’t assist however smile on the honesty.
One such iconic second is on the charity occasion get together, when Emily, Miranda’s first assistant, says, “I’m one abdomen flu away from my purpose weight.”
On this article, we’re analyzing how Emily’s dialogue on this specific Satan Wears Prada scene uncovers the social dogmatism round ladies’s look that dictates their complete lives.
Learn on, provided that you’re prepared for some ugly truths.
The Story
A fast reminder, The Satan Wears Prada follows Andy (Anne Hathaway), a newly graduated journalist, as she navigates the struggles of being the assistant to a high-end style mogul, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), with no expertise or curiosity in style by any means. The job turns into a life-changing expertise for Andy as she realizes the superficiality of success, coming nose to nose with the darkish actuality of the style world.
Along with exploring advanced themes that embody the price of ambition and the superficiality {of professional} obsession, the narrative superbly presents the strain between private id and societal stress, particularly for girls chasing a profession (or not).
The Scene
It’s a charity occasion, the place the high-profile people of town have gathered. It seems like at least a purple carpet occasion. Andy walks in, fully reworked right into a supermodel who’s actually all set to stroll the Prada ramp!
Emily (Emily Blunt) is stumped to see the brand new Andy. She blurts out, “Oh my God…Andrea, you look so stylish.” Andy, uncertain what to say, actually goes to return the praise by saying one thing that Emily is dying to listen to. She blurts out, “You look so skinny.”
The comment hits Emily like ecstasy, “Do I?!!” As the 2 ladies proceed to stroll in, Emily tells Andy about this new eating regimen that she is on, particularly for the style occasion in Paris that she is meant to accompany Miranda to. As per the eating regimen, she must starve herself till she is about to break down, proper earlier than which she is allowed to have one dice of cheese.
Andy uncomfortably validates her efforts by complimenting the outcomes as soon as once more. Emily says, “I do know… I’m only one abdomen flu away from my purpose weight.”
How Emily’s Comment Embodies the Common Obsession With a Girl’s Determine
Probabilities Are Your Mother Will Inform You To Go On A Food regimen, Repeatedly
Hey, I’m not attacking mothers right here; simply hear me out. Unrealistic magnificence expectations from a girl are usually not restricted to misogyny. Heck! Generally it’s the ladies in your life who push you into this abyss of insecurities. From moms to mates to grandmothers, there are infinite feminine figures in each lady’s life who would remind her how she might look higher if she dropped a few kilos. The concept is so deep-seated that many instances, these ladies aren’t even conscious how they’re slowly inducing a sense of inadequacy in each other.
As a girl who has been bullied all her childhood for her pores and skin tone and weight, it was the folks closest to me, and girls particularly, who had taken it upon themselves to remind me that I wasn’t adequate the best way I used to be.
If You’re Curvy, Procuring Is Not Remedy
Procuring is relatively a nightmare for you in the event you’re a curvy woman. Each advert, each tagline, generally even clothes retailer salesclerks, will remind ladies that retail caters to sure physique varieties, and curvy is normally not on that checklist. It’s fascinating, truly, as a result of style is a pastime and keenness for thus many ladies no matter measurement, however it tends to be unique, or relatively, geared towards thinner ladies. If you happen to’re curvy, style can generally look like an elite membership that you would be able to’t be a part of till you modify the best way you look, which is…in all probability unhealthy and undoubtedly shitty.
Emily Is Half Of The Downside, And So Are We
Let’s start with Emily first. I’m not attacking her right here as a result of she is totally reverse to Andy. She will not be the antagonist; relatively, a form of her self-aware sidekick. Her coronary heart may be in the best place, however Emily, regardless of understanding the woes of validating such expectations, offers in to them over and over. On the similar time, she tries to dump related expectations on the ladies round her, as if she’s making certain that it’s as unhealthy for everybody else as it’s for her.
Proper from the start, we see her obsessive about how she seems. In her first encounter with Andy, not solely does she closely decide her, however she additionally feedback on her look. Even when Andy walks into the workplace in designer garments for the primary time, because of Nigel’s makeover, we can’t ignore Emily’s chilly shoulder in the direction of Andy. Though she warms as much as her by the top of the movie, we don’t see a lot transformation in Emily’s persona.
Emily is us. She represents all of us who’ve been carrying the trauma and oppression of femininity. Tried to drop some weight to make your ex jealous proper after a breakup? Obsessed about that little stomach fats each time you put on a gown? Had been you anxious earlier than stepping on a scale? I believe you possibly can see the issue right here, too.
Emily is an enabler. Her pleasure at Andy’s compliments that she’s misplaced weight after which boasting how she’s “one abdomen flu from her purpose weight” is sheer insanity. Sadly, there’s extra of her than there are of those that are combating again.
The Non-Chalance In the direction of Well being Threat
Emily’s nonchalance as she compromises her well being to look a sure method is frightening. A grown lady spreading herself skinny simply because she needs to suit right into a sure gown and look a sure method at a star style occasion underscores a sure immaturity and give up. In Emily’s expertise, for girls (particularly in case you are in style), your seems resolve your destiny. Over time, slowly however steadily, Emily has soaked the concept in. Her saying, “I severely don’t know why Miranda has employed her,” showcases her desperation for validation and likewise how, even she judges a guide by its cowl and an individual by their seems, regardless of being a sufferer herself. However is she the one one?
From teenage women to full-grown ladies, I’ve seen females take up insane diets and develop consuming issues whereas making an attempt to realize their purpose weight. And it’s scary! From Botox to liposuction to loopy diets to cosmetic surgery, we’re betting our cash, well being, and self-confidence simply to match as much as some style influencer or mannequin in an advert, understanding full effectively that each video and movie has gone by means of a number of layers of enhancing.
The Satan Wears Prada is a darkish dig at a girl’s merciless destiny, showcasing how they’re dwelling like puppets in a world that can be theirs.
Which is your favourite second from the film?
