Movie Review Monday #35.5: response to From Prada to Nada

Last week, Emily reviewed From Prada to Nada out of desperation, apologizing for having no better movies to review with you. I actually kinda enjoyed the film, so she challenged me to write a rebuttal. I was never part of a debate club or anything,  so we'll see how this goes . . .

Counter Argument Number One: I can not disagree with any of your points. How's that for a rebuttal? I would even add a complaint about the title, a clear attempt to ride the coat tails of the success of Devil Wears Prada. That's just lame cheating.

I would just like to expand on point three regarding Camilla's eyebrows: I believe they sculpted her eyebrows the way they did the entire film expressly for the one line where the Edward character makes a reference to her looking like Frida Kahlo.

Frida was clearly the inspiration for Camilla's look, and by that standard, they succeeded - except for the Oompa Loompa-ness - why oh why was she, and her sister for that matter, so orange??

Counter Argument Number Two: There were some major jumps in character and plot development that were just not well lead up to. Sudden changes of heart, inexplicable changes of fortune, it was certainly awkward at points. There was one scene where the girls' Tia's were exclaiming something to the effect of, "oh good, they FINALLY made up!" and I didn't know there was a fight they could have been referring to.

Counter Argument Number Three: Camilla's acting was not terribly impressive in this film. I kept feeling like if she could just get some more air in her lungs, maybe she could deliver her lines without making me feel like she was going to have to fall over and go to sleep right afterwards. When she wasn't speaking, she occasionally managed to convey sincere emotion in a few moments though.

Counter Argument Number Four: Before Emily's post, I didn't pay all that much attention to the make up or even acting, I was more caught up in how much I loved Camilla's outfits. I came away wishing I had that waif-y body type so I could pull off her wardrobe.

BUT, there's a scene where the sisters go to a fancy party. And of course, leading up to it, Camilla's character is picking out what to wear, hoochy-mama little sister thinks she looks like a nun and attempts to find a better outfit. After several dress-changes, she comes out with a big Cinderella-transformation-tada moment in a dress that I could have sworn she might have worn in another scene, to work in. It didn't seem anything different than what she'd been wearing the whole film, which was cool, I liked it, it just didn't quite seem worthy of any "TaDaaaaaas!" Maybe it wasn't even dressy enough for that party. Maybe this is another sub-point for number three.

Counter Argument Number Five: I would like to extra agree with the conclusion your first point eventually worked its way around to. I thought Wilmer was so great in this film. Strong, resourceful, artsy, self-respecting, he made much more sense as a love interest than this guy:

Even HE looks confused as to why she would eventually settle for him. Cause that's what she did, settle. Where as in Prada to Nada, we all agree that girl wizened up and probably didn't deserve how good she got.

"Chica, you know you don't deserve this!"

Counter Argument Number Six: Definitely a few lame cliche East LA references (the low-rider scene made me gag out loud), but also some great ones that showed some of the true color, spirit, and life of the community, like the party, the women cooking together in the kitchen, the murals.

But you know, the more I think about it, I think I actually feel like the film got a little too noble-savage-esque and went a bit far in the direction of "East L.A. is such a charming little neighborhood." It was like they were trying to encourage gentrification. "All the hot white rich guys are buying up these amazing homes in the Bario, get 'em while the gettin' is still cheap!" It was a bit disrespectful to over-romanticize being a member of the working poor class, being taken advantage of by corporate snobs, and constantly having to hide from the INS.

Furthermore, it is perhaps dangerous to suggest that because you have part of a law school degree that as soon as you step foot onto a city bus, you will become the messiah of the Bario, "I'm a law student, if that helps?!" Get over your little savior complex, chica. You need to check your class-privilege.

Meh, I guess I'm a bit mixed and confused on this point.

Counter Argument Number Seven: I love Sense and Sensibility, the book, the movie, I love it all. And I really enjoyed how this movie took that structure and looked at the journey of cultural identity formation for American born Chicana's in a fun, light-hearted way. It was meant to be a chick-flick after all. So maybe I can lay off the cultural critiques a bit and let them have some fun.

Regarding Chanello's pizza, I can not comment. I wish I could. Glad you enjoyed it. ;)

In conclusion, I raise your half a claw, Emily, to one FULL claw. It was some decent lighthearted chick-flick fun, unlike Something Borrowed, which aims to be a fun light-hearted chick-flick and just made me feel gross all over. Please do not see that movie, even, and maybe especially, if you like John Krasinsky. That one gets 2 claws down and does not even deserve its own review.