… and I’m not entirely sure why.
Note: If you haven’t figured out by the whole “ending” part in the title, this post is going to contain lots of spoilers. You have been warned. But really … duh.
Andy gets the job she wanted with Miranda’s help, so it’s not like a huge sacrifice is made. And having integrity is definitely better than success. Yes, good theme. So why am I so angry?
I think part of it is that Miranda’s stabbing Nigel in the back was considered to be the very same thing as Andy choosing to not get fired and go to Paris instead of Emily, who had been nothing but heinous previous to this. It is hardly the same thing. Choosing to keep the investment in the position (Miranda is the one who chose Andy over Emily) just isn’t the same thing as actively spending weeks backstabbing a colleague and supposed friend. OK, so that’s one thing. But it’s not the big thing, I don’t think.
I think what really ticks me off, is that the movie is saying that as a woman, you can either have a career or a happy life. I know Nigel said that, meaning both genders, but really the point is driven home later that strong women are considered evil and strong men are considered normal. I know this is the case in real life. I guess I want my movie women to have it all, as unrealistic as it is. Still, this movie kind of condones it. It kind of says that Andy should have stayed home with the boyfriend who didn’t understand rather than go to Paris and take advantage of opportunities. And it says that Miranda deserved to lose another husband, if she is just going to try to enjoy her life anyway.
Yeah, I’m perturbed because some impressionable young woman is going to watch the movie and give up a dream job to stay with the boyfriend who ends up cheating on her 2 weeks/months/years/decades later. And then she is going to realize she’s blown an opportunity all because she went with the romantic choice rather than the smart choice. The fact is that Mr. Right is going to be understanding during a rough beginning of a career or else he just isn’t Mr. Right. And you should never throw away your dreams for anyone, particularly someone who isn’t Mr. Right … who wouldn’t want you to throw your dreams anyway … so make that never period.
Alright, I guess I’ve worked it all out so I can go to bed.
Next day edit: I liked the movie up until the end and Meryl Streep is a goddess.
