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Movies that showcase a life of glamour

Explore films that dive deep into worlds of wealth, fashion, and high society. These movies capture the allure and often the complexities of living a life of glamour.

Sex and the City
The Devil Wears Prada
Ocean's Eight

The silver screen has long been captivated by the idea of glamour and high society, offering audiences a peek into worlds of opulence, extravagance, and often, hidden drama. These films don't just show beautiful people in expensive clothes; they often explore the aspirations, struggles, and moral compromises that come with immense wealth and social status.

From the roaring twenties excess depicted in adaptations like The Great Gatsby, a story synonymous with lavish parties and unattainable dreams, to the modern-day satire of Crazy Rich Asians, which brought Singapore's elite to a global audience, movies about glamour serve as both fantasy and cautionary tales. They highlight the power dynamics within exclusive circles, the pursuit of status, and the often-thin line between success and superficiality.

Think of the high stakes of the fashion industry in The Devil Wears Prada, revealing the demanding, high-pressure environment behind the glossy magazine covers. Or the cutthroat world of finance in The Wolf of Wall Street, where excess is not just a lifestyle but a weapon. Even films like La La Land, while centered on artistic dreams, feature moments of Hollywood's glitzy facade.

These narratives often resonate because they tap into universal themes: ambition, identity, and the search for belonging, even within the most exclusive clubs. They remind us that behind the shimmering facade, human desires and frailties remain constant.

14. The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network tells the story of the founding of Facebook and the legal battles that followed. While it depicts the rapid accumulation of immense wealth and power, the film's focus is more on the creation of the platform and the personal conflicts rather than the outward display of a 'life of glamour' in terms of fashion or lavish lifestyles. It's about a different kind of modern success and the complex relationships behind it, less about the aesthetic glamour often associated with the term.

The Social Network

13. The Intern (2015)

The Intern features a setting within the fashion industry, providing a backdrop of stylish offices, events, and clothing, which lends it a touch of modern professional glamour. While the core story focuses on the relationship between a seasoned 70-year-old intern (Robert De Niro) and his busy entrepreneur boss (Anne Hathaway), the film does showcase the fast-paced, visually appealing world of an e-commerce fashion startup. It's less about personal wealth and more about the polished environment of a successful creative business.

The Intern

12. La La Land (2016)

While not solely focused on wealth, La La Land captures the dream of Hollywood glamour and success. It follows an aspiring actress and a jazz musician chasing their artistic dreams in Los Angeles. The film is a love letter to classic musicals and the city itself, featuring visually stunning dance numbers, colorful costumes, and the aspirational feel of striving for fame and recognition in the entertainment world – a world often associated with red carpets and spotlight glamour. It's about the journey towards that dream.

La La Land

11. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Set in the late 1950s, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller where Tom Ripley is sent to Italy to retrieve a wealthy young man living a seemingly idyllic, glamorous life. The film beautifully captures the sun-drenched, luxurious world of the Italian coast and the wealthy expatriates who inhabit it. Ripley becomes captivated by this lifestyle and seeks to make it his own, leading to dark consequences. It's a film steeped in atmosphere, showcasing the seductive power of a life of leisure and privilege.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

10. Zoolander (2001)

A hilarious satire of the fashion industry, Zoolander takes you behind the scenes of the seemingly glamorous world of male modeling. Ben Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, a dim-witted supermodel caught up in a bizarre plot. The film pokes fun at the absurdity, ego, and often ridiculous trends of high fashion while still showcasing some genuinely stylish moments. It's a comedic take on the superficiality and over-the-top nature that can sometimes define the pursuit of glamour.

Zoolander

9. Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

Rebecca Bloomwood loves to shop, perhaps a little too much! Confessions of a Shopaholic centers on a young woman drowning in debt due to her uncontrollable desire for designer goods and a glamorous lifestyle she can't afford. While dealing with her financial woes, she lands a job writing for a financial magazine. The film is filled with colorful fashion and portrays the allure of high-end shopping and the dream of living a life surrounded by beautiful things, even if it's just window shopping or, in Rebecca's case, impulse buying!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

8. The Bling Ring (2013)

Based on a true story, The Bling Ring follows a group of teenagers obsessed with celebrity culture and luxury who track and burglarize the homes of stars like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the film explores the dark side of chasing glamour, showing how the desire for designer clothes, expensive cars, and a life of fame can lead down a dangerous path. It's a fascinating, albeit cautionary, look at youth culture's obsession with the superficial aspects of celebrity glamour.

The Bling Ring

7. American Hustle (2013)

Step back into the late 1970s with American Hustle, a stylish caper inspired by the FBI Abscam operation. The film is a feast for the eyes, with incredible period costumes (Amy Adams' plunging necklines were a major talking point!) and hairstyles that perfectly capture the era's unique aesthetic. It tells the story of con artists who get entangled with the FBI, navigating a world of politicians, the mafia, and the pursuit of wealth and reinvention. The film's distinctive look and energetic performances bring a specific kind of retro glamour to life.

American Hustle

6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street is a wild, no-holds-barred depiction of excess and financial debauchery in the late 1980s and 90s. While perhaps more 'decadence' than traditional 'glamour', the film vividly portrays the astronomical wealth, luxury cars, yachts, and opulent lifestyles fueled by Jordan Belfort's fraudulent stock market schemes. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a powerhouse performance in this darkly comedic look at the corrupting influence of immense, ill-gotten gains. It's a chaotic, energetic ride through the extreme end of the wealthy elite.

The Wolf of Wall Street

5. Ocean's Eight (2018)

Planning a heist at the Met Gala? That screams glamour! Ocean's Eight assembles an all-female crew of master thieves targeting a diamond necklace worth $150 million during New York City's most exclusive fashion event. The film revels in its stylish setting, showcasing incredible gowns, A-list cameos, and the sophisticated execution of a high-stakes plan. It's a slick, fun caper that combines the thrill of a heist with the dazzling spectacle of the high-fashion world, making for a truly glamorous cinematic experience.

Ocean's Eight

4. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Enter the cutthroat world of high fashion at Runway magazine, where the legendary Miranda Priestly reigns supreme. The Devil Wears Prada offers a fascinating glimpse into the demanding, stylish, and often ruthless reality behind the gloss. Meryl Streep's performance as Miranda is legendary (reportedly inspired by Vogue's Anna Wintour), and the film is packed with incredible fashion moments that showcase the transformative power of clothes. It's a sharp, witty look at ambition, sacrifice, and finding your footing in an environment dripping with glamour and pressure.

The Devil Wears Prada

3. Sex and the City (2008)

Picking up four years after the series finale, the Sex and the City movie delivers exactly what fans craved: more fashion, more New York City, and more of the fabulous four navigating life and love. This film is a celebration of personal style, with Carrie Bradshaw's iconic wardrobe taking center stage alongside luxurious apartments, high-end events, and the aspirational lifestyle of Manhattan. It dives deep into the characters' relationships while showcasing the enduring power of friendship, all wrapped up in a package dripping with designer labels and the unmistakable glamour of the city itself.

Sex and the City

2. The Great Gatsby (2013)

Baz Luhrmann's take on The Great Gatsby plunges you headfirst into the roaring 1920s, an era synonymous with excess and hidden turmoil. The sheer scale of the parties, the dazzling costumes designed in collaboration with Miuccia Prada, and the glittering production design create a hypnotic portrayal of Jay Gatsby's opulent world. Leonardo DiCaprio embodies the enigmatic millionaire throwing lavish parties just across the bay, desperate to recapture the past. It's a visually stunning, high-energy spectacle that perfectly captures the intoxicating, yet ultimately hollow, allure of immense wealth and unattainable dreams.

The Great Gatsby

1. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Step into a world where wealth knows no bounds! Crazy Rich Asians is the ultimate portrayal of modern-day glamour and extreme luxury, set against the stunning backdrop of Singapore. This film isn't just about romance; it's a full-blown cultural spectacle showcasing jaw-dropping mansions, over-the-top parties, and a fashion parade that will leave you breathless. It made history as the first Hollywood studio film in 25 years to feature a majority Asian-American cast and Asian leads, and it absolutely nails the depiction of stratospheric wealth with heart and humor. Prepare for a visually decadent feast!

Crazy Rich Asians

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