9 Frame Analysis
By: Muhammad Faraz Malik
One of the reasons why I chose The Devil Wears Prada for my nine frame analysis was because there is some enchanting comparative contradiction in the beginning of the film which initiates through a montage and a generic and mirthful pop song playing in the background but since my scrutiny on this opening sequence is tilted towards frame to frame analysis, I will not be shining any light on the soundtrack even though I would have loved to do it
1. Conventional Introduction of the Production
The very first frame of the film opening being a film credit shouldn’t be very surprising since it has been done thousands of time since the beginning of film making. Sometimes directors choose to have their name in the opening credits first but in this specific film, the producer of the film Wendy Fireman has been introduced. Jumping into deeper analysis, this film credit is not projected on a black or white background nor the director has chosen different cutaways for the credits and for the content of the film. Moreover the background of this frame has a connection to my second frame.
The main character of the film Andy wipes the layer of steam from the bathroom mirror on which the film credits were projected in the very first frame and the credits are mopped away with the layer of condensed water. And in about three seconds, we see Andy played by Anne Hathaway. It is an almost close-up shot of Andy and since the whole film revolves around her and her personal turmoils, she is the most significant character of the film. Close-up shots are very much associated with the personal connection to the character and also developed to subconsciously or deliberately gain sympathy. The background is blur and the only noticeable object or person in the frame is Andy. I find this sudden and predominant introduction of the lead role reasonable enough.
2. The Introduction of the Protagonist of the film
3. The setting; or perhaps the foreshadowing
Furthermore, the shot cuts to this aerial shot of Manhattan, New York which establishes not only the setting of the film, but also foreshadows and metaphorically enlightens the genre of the film simultaneously. By looking at the skyscrapers, it is logically possible to estimate the era in which the film is set. But firstly, I’d like to talk about the title of the film appearing 14 seconds after the film begins and it’s connection to the background as well as the film. 'THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.’ I will not ignore the contrast of colours in the film title which will not only help me elaborate my references towards foreshadowing, but also prove that it’s not only my interpretation that’s forcing me to think of everything metaphorically. After all it’s the film title which must have a latent connotation in its font style or colour combination. The red orange colour in the film title not only turns the camera towards the word ‘DEVIL’ but also foreshadows and we can say, represents the antagonist of the film Miranda Priestly played by Meryl Streep who is not only malicious (not malicious because her saltiness has an attractive sense to it) powerful but also a ruthless perfectionist. And so does the word ‘Prada’ connotes the fast-running fashion industry full of opportunists and narcissists which I will discuss in more detail in the latter frames. The yellow colour however might just be there for creating a contrast to the red colour or perhaps is the representative colour of Andy (Subjective).
3. The setting; or perhaps the foreshadowing
Putting the extensive examination of the title colours which might have been used for no serious reason (JK) to an end, I’d like to talk about the backdrop- Manhattan, NYC which I briefly touched in the beginning. The lead role is an aspiring journalist who is looking for a fruitful opportunity and works tirelessly once she gets caught in “Miranda’s den” (but a million girls would kill for that job anyway), she tries to catch up with the fast flowing stream of people working hard on their careers just like I’m trying to catch up with everyone in my media class :D. And NYC is definitely a land in which dreams come true (especially Manhattan).
4. The Distinction
The continuation of this montage gets intriguing as the element of contradiction or difference is created by drawing a fine line between the lifestyle of gorgeous models and Andy who is an alien to the fashion world and is only a few moments from encountering the inevitable impact of the fashion world. Talking about this very frame we see this model who is not one of the principal characters of the film getting ready which merely shows her lifestyle. This is a long shot of this model and not only her full body is being shown in this frame but also her pristine wardrobe. From her hourglass figure to her chic undergarments, everything is an epitome of the so called ’emotionless animals who sacrifice their comforts for runway’. And on the contrary, Andy’s morning routine is also shown.
5. Andy’s realm
I needn’t mention that this frame will be compared to the previous one! So, here we have a look into Andy’s wardrobe and she herself. The dissimilarities are not hard to see but I’ll still be defining them for it looks very disproportional and unfair for one frame to have a lengthy analysis and the other one with only two lines. Going back into formality, Andy’s wardrobe is not only different from the one shown previously in context of it’s size and different sections but also how her outfits are not even close to glamorous. This is a direct dart towards her fashion sense. Talking about Andy herself, not that she looks classless or meanly dressed, there is an apparent lack of glamour and style in her if you look at her hair and clothes. Moreover, the absence of her fashion flare is also enhanced because of her comparison to the Model’s wardrobe.
6. The Obligatory Romeo
Let it be a film about career obsession or redemption, a love story always finds its way into any plot. And to identify the fact that Andy’s not so impressive fashion sense has’t kept her from being in a relationship, there is a 2-3 second shot of her smooching her boyfriend. Not that the director is trying to cram every detail of Andy’s life in the first two minutes of the opening, this montage is more important than we think in cooking the setting and the theme of the play. Andy’s relationship with her boyfriend Nate played by Adrian Grenier is noteworthy and her culminating complications with him will be another step in the ladder of this thrilling plot. And it would not be wrong to say that the audience’s realization to the fact that this film has let a love story find its way in will not only give then a sigh of relief but also prevent the cheesy audience from running away fifteen minutes into the film. Therefore this frame has it’s light! One of the most indirect and foreshadowing aspects of this film that I would like to highlight is the view of brick wall outside the window. It certainly represents their financial condition since expensive apartments have an exotic or at least a vast view whereas having to look at bricks outside one’s window depicts middle class or struggling financial level. Good connotation for a girl who is looking for a job.
7. Selective Consumption
This is a point of view shot of two bowls. One from which the almonds are being picked and the other one in which the selected almonds are being put is partially illuminated with sunlight depicting it’s importance. What adds finesse to this frame is not only the almonds which are thought to be consumed by people striving for a healthy body, but also how they’re being picked out selectively and then being put into consideration. Who could this be? Andy? of course not! After having a look into their wardrobe, we’ll be witnessing their breakfast (the most important meal of the day). As I mentioned earlier about how models’ whole life revolves around “Pain is beauty” phrase, diet is no exception therefore we shouldn’t be surprised by this frame.
8. Burger King Queen
Guess who could it be? The burger queen. I now am regretting how I mildly and effortlessly roast her. We all love Andy ❤ Anyway, this is the second contradiction that I’m bringing up after the wardrobe one. Andy having a burger instead of deeply examined organic food again shows her casual lifestyle. And at this point of her life, it is quite reasonable because she is unaware of the fact that her mind will soon be caught into the web in which the rest of the model’s mind in caught into. Only will she start doing the same as the rest once she hits that trauma (Oops spoiler). This frame has not much detail of its own and only has a comparison to the previous one so I’ll move on the the last one.
9. Miranda’s Den
Even though it looks as if this frame has not much to talk about, I think that it is one of the most important ones because this shot of Miranda’s office building will recur later in the film. The frame being surrounded by two tall buildings from the street point of view not only gives a suffocating vibes but also determines that this shot is a semi point of view shot as well. The sky above the buildings may connote the idea of ‘sky is the limit’ which undoubtedly goes with the theme of the film. This building is shown in a way that it forcefully looks dominant and could it directly relate to Miranda’s intimidation? Yes.. No no ‘that wasn’t a question’. Till this point in Andy’s life, everything had been different from when she enter this building therefore this shot is decisive because of the importance of this building. And even later in the film this building is shown from a similar perspective in which the viewer is seemed to be very inferior to the building. All buildings in Manhattan are very tall of course but if we compare how other building were shown and how specifically this one is shown, yes, it is saying a lot about Miranda and the atmosphere in the office. That’s all!
