The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

First off, I must say that I am not the likely audience for a film like this. I know almost nothing about fashion and have difficulty getting into documentaries. I did see this years ago, about the time it hit video, and while I liked Isaac, the movie didn't hold my interest.Fast forward to 2008, I've been watching Ugly Betty for two seasons. It is another unlikely choice for me, but it's over the top enough to be fun. Everyone around me loves The Devil Wears Prada, so I've seen that several times as well.Then Unzipped reappears on satellite TV, and as I watch it I see a first hand look at the world that Betty and Devil are only reflecting. Seeing it in this context I found a whole new appreciation for this movie. It's interesting, funny and dramatic in places, and it's beautifully shot. Maybe there are a lot of documentary clichés at work here, but who better to give the glamorous black and white treatment to than supermodels and fashionistas? It works, extremely well, now I understand better where it comes from. Why settle for an 'inspired by' Anna Wintour when you can have the real thing? Anyway, I'll be getting this on DVD to add to my expanding fashion-themed section. Who knew?

Isaac Mizrahi is what he is. I really don;t think he let his defenses down enough for this, although it seems that way at times. The film does not go far enough into the creative process, but it really makes up for that as showtime approaches. His co-workers are more interesting than the models, although they all seem to genuinely like working with the designer. The music adds much to the introspective yet whimsical tone of the film, and during the fashion show it really livens things up. I wish there were a soundtrack available. Put it this way, if you are interested in fashion or Mizrahi himself as a celebrity, you will like this, if neither is the case, you'll hate it.

I was halfway through before I realized that it wasn't a send up of the self-indulgent, artsy documentary that gives film buffs the "nerd" label. Every documentary cliche is used here - grainy B&W film, overexposure, solarization, odd framing, handheld camera - without once adding to the artistic quality of the film. The purpose of any story, true or not, is to make me react in some way to the character(s) presented. At no time in this movie did I care one way or the other what happened next. I kept watching, and watching, and watching, waiting for the punch line that would tie it all together. Like the optimist given the box of horse manure, I kept searching and searching, trying to find a pony in there somewhere. It ain't there.

First of all, I just want to say that I think that Isaac is one of the best fashion designers of all time, and he's a very smart man! He is talented and he has a unique taste when it comes to fashion. He looks back at all those old movies (most fashion is influenced by trends from the past not only in the 20th century, but different time periods that date back even before movies existed), and that's what adds the spice to his fashion! Fashion is like a painting, and Isaac's fashions are very modern with a dab of a past trend, whether it's the 1950's or 60's. That's what I liked about this movie, is seeing Isaac's fashions and seeing the influence in his fashion!Yet this movie was very disappointing, and it should've been a regular special on television rather than a movie.I truly wasn't pleased with this film. If you like fashion, though, and are interested in fashion design, production, journalism (just to name a few careers in the world of fashion - believe me there are MILLIONS of careers), then this is a movie to watch, yet I'm warning you...it's pretty boring! Yet that's my opinion! Maybe you'll be pleased unlike I was.