'Prada,' 'Talledega' bring laughter, cheer
By Bruce R. Miller, Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, December 10, 2006
Two of the summer's best comedies -- "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" -- warm the cold nights of early winter.
While "Prada's" almost sure to get Meryl Streep her umpteenth Oscar nomination, "Talladega" will be remembered for its ability to cheer the NASCAR world while lampooning it.
Both films have plenty of extras in their DVD incarnations. "Talladega," in particular, offers insight into the way star Will Ferrell works. Want more? The film introduced some audiences to Sacha Baron Cohen before he hit big in "Borat."
Not into laughter? Why not try two more volumes of James Bond films or "World Trade Center," a respectful film that could figure into year-end best lists.
'Devil Wears Prada'
Miranda Priestly rules Runway magazine with a velvet clad fist. And she barely needs to raise her voice above a whisper.
In the hands of Meryl Streep, Priestly's a true original. And "The Devil Wears Prada"? It's a much better picture because she's at its core.
We discover her brand of hell on earth when a young journalist (Anne Hathaway), unaware of the fashion world, is hired to be her second assistant. She bumbles initially, then discovers how to read her boss' mind. She becomes the No. 1 Emily (even though her name is Andy) and learns to understand the crazy profession.
Designer Patricia Field (best known for "Sex and the City") dresses the film in a gamut of styles. Like "Breakfast at Tiffany's," it should create fashion news of its own. But films set in the fashion world need characters to fill those clothes and "Prada" has several. Stanley Tucci towers as Priestly's crack right hand man. He knows how to interpret her ideas without stepping on her clickety-clack ego. Emily Blunt sets the tone immediately as the assistant who fears the wrath of her boss.
And then Streep steps in and makes what could have been a routine chick flick into an actor's master class.
Simple gestures, uneasy smiles and subtle head tosses complement the barebones script. She oozes power (without getting all Trump about it) and makes Hathaway more sympathetic than we ever thought possible.
'Talladega Nights'
It isn't the driver who wins races. It's the pit crew.
And "Talladega Nights" has a great acting crew in John C. Reilly, Gary Cole and Molly Shannon. They more than grease Will Ferrell's gears and keep the goofy comedy moving.
Ferrell? He's merely the nut behind the wheel.
Ferrell plays Ricky Bobby, a goofy NASCAR star who believes his slacker dad's advice was good.
When an accident occurs, Ricky goes into a downward spiral and realizes he's got to battle back if he wants to be a Talladega tower once again. Dad (Cole) returns and tries to instill a bit of the old confidence. Thanks to some goofy writing (and out-there acting by Ferrell and Cole), the learning curve isn't steep. Reilly, meanwhile, romances Ricky's wife, rushes to the head of the pack and becomes the man his friend used to be. That unleashes Shannon, giving "Talladega Nights" more than a little of the old "Saturday Night Live" magic.
Unlike so many Ferrell comedies, this one doesn't leave its best scenes in the trailer. It's funny throughout - and it has a killer villain in Sacha Baron Cohen. He's a rival driver (from France) who wants to do in Ricky Bobby. The two get their moment, but it's not what you think.
Director Adam McKay keeps the secret well (even though it won't endear NASCAR fans) and lets Cohen attempt to outdo Ferrell. He doesn't succeed, necessarily, but he does create a character worthy of lapping Ricky Bobby.
"Talladega Nights" sends up the world of racing with a wink and a smile. It doesn't lampoon it, it just jabs it.
Also this week:
TV: "The Andy Griffith Show," final season, complete series; "Family Plan"; "Full House," season five; "Gomer Pyle," season one; Law & Order: Criminal Intent," season two; "Stacked," the complete series.
Movies: "Air Buddies"; "Barnyard"; "Bugsy"; "The Chronicles of Narnia," extended edition; "Fox and the Hound 2"; "The House of Sand"; "Material Girls"; "My Geisha."
While "Prada's" almost sure to get Meryl Streep her umpteenth Oscar nomination, "Talladega" will be remembered for its ability to cheer the NASCAR world while lampooning it.
Both films have plenty of extras in their DVD incarnations. "Talladega," in particular, offers insight into the way star Will Ferrell works. Want more? The film introduced some audiences to Sacha Baron Cohen before he hit big in "Borat."
Not into laughter? Why not try two more volumes of James Bond films or "World Trade Center," a respectful film that could figure into year-end best lists.
'Devil Wears Prada'
Miranda Priestly rules Runway magazine with a velvet clad fist. And she barely needs to raise her voice above a whisper.
In the hands of Meryl Streep, Priestly's a true original. And "The Devil Wears Prada"? It's a much better picture because she's at its core.
We discover her brand of hell on earth when a young journalist (Anne Hathaway), unaware of the fashion world, is hired to be her second assistant. She bumbles initially, then discovers how to read her boss' mind. She becomes the No. 1 Emily (even though her name is Andy) and learns to understand the crazy profession.
Designer Patricia Field (best known for "Sex and the City") dresses the film in a gamut of styles. Like "Breakfast at Tiffany's," it should create fashion news of its own. But films set in the fashion world need characters to fill those clothes and "Prada" has several. Stanley Tucci towers as Priestly's crack right hand man. He knows how to interpret her ideas without stepping on her clickety-clack ego. Emily Blunt sets the tone immediately as the assistant who fears the wrath of her boss.
And then Streep steps in and makes what could have been a routine chick flick into an actor's master class.
Simple gestures, uneasy smiles and subtle head tosses complement the barebones script. She oozes power (without getting all Trump about it) and makes Hathaway more sympathetic than we ever thought possible.
'Talladega Nights'
It isn't the driver who wins races. It's the pit crew.
And "Talladega Nights" has a great acting crew in John C. Reilly, Gary Cole and Molly Shannon. They more than grease Will Ferrell's gears and keep the goofy comedy moving.
Ferrell? He's merely the nut behind the wheel.
Ferrell plays Ricky Bobby, a goofy NASCAR star who believes his slacker dad's advice was good.
When an accident occurs, Ricky goes into a downward spiral and realizes he's got to battle back if he wants to be a Talladega tower once again. Dad (Cole) returns and tries to instill a bit of the old confidence. Thanks to some goofy writing (and out-there acting by Ferrell and Cole), the learning curve isn't steep. Reilly, meanwhile, romances Ricky's wife, rushes to the head of the pack and becomes the man his friend used to be. That unleashes Shannon, giving "Talladega Nights" more than a little of the old "Saturday Night Live" magic.
Unlike so many Ferrell comedies, this one doesn't leave its best scenes in the trailer. It's funny throughout - and it has a killer villain in Sacha Baron Cohen. He's a rival driver (from France) who wants to do in Ricky Bobby. The two get their moment, but it's not what you think.
Director Adam McKay keeps the secret well (even though it won't endear NASCAR fans) and lets Cohen attempt to outdo Ferrell. He doesn't succeed, necessarily, but he does create a character worthy of lapping Ricky Bobby.
"Talladega Nights" sends up the world of racing with a wink and a smile. It doesn't lampoon it, it just jabs it.
Also this week:
TV: "The Andy Griffith Show," final season, complete series; "Family Plan"; "Full House," season five; "Gomer Pyle," season one; Law & Order: Criminal Intent," season two; "Stacked," the complete series.
Movies: "Air Buddies"; "Barnyard"; "Bugsy"; "The Chronicles of Narnia," extended edition; "Fox and the Hound 2"; "The House of Sand"; "Material Girls"; "My Geisha."
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
