★★★½
With movie sequels trending in Hollywood, there’s nothing more stylish than bringing back a fan favourite. The Devil Wears Prada 2 does exactly this, decked out with stunning fashions, celebrity cameos, pop music, and talented actors. It’s unsurprising that it’s been so highly anticipated.
According to Forbes, The Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer, released last November, broke a 15-year-old record for the most viewed comedy trailer. It was so popular that within 24 hours of its release, it had been watched 181.5 million times.
While there’s currently a mass production of film sequels and revivals that are clearly cheap cash grabs at replicating a perfect original, The Devil Wears Prada 2 holds its own.
The original film,The Devil Wears Prada, came out in 2006 to much critical acclaim and high public praise, and is generally considered a staple in the comedy-drama genre. Its leading actors have gone on to have iconic careers. The film was an adaptation of Lauren Weisberger’s book, which is widely rumoured to be inspired by her experience as Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s junior assistant.
For the uninitiated, the story follows Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) as she works a highly demanding job as second assistant to Runway magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). It’s only when Andy trades in her inexpensive clothes and embraces designer fashion that she becomes more confident in her new job.
Yet when Andy replaces first assistant, Emily (Emily Blunt), on the Paris trip, she realises that she’s become the mean-spirited girl she once ridiculed. In the end, Andy gives up the competitive and cut-throat world of fashion to follow her dream as a journalist.
Now, 20 years after the original, The Devil Wears Prada 2 picks up in a declining media landscape, where social media reigns over magazines and newspapers.
Miranda Priestly is still editor of Runway but is facing serious public backlash, declining readership, and a fierce rivalry with her former assistant, Emily Charlton.
Recently unemployed and facing unexpected popularity on social media, Andy Sachs accepts an offer from Runway to head up its features department and help improve its public perception.
The movie steps back from the world of fashion and puts its laser focus on critiquing the changing media landscape. It poses the question: how do important journalistic pieces break through amongst the advertisements needed to fund them?
The fashion is still on full display with all the characters dressed to the nines in iconic designer clothes. Miranda radiates glamour and prestige in her Balenciaga red silk taffeta ball gown when attending a Spring Florals-themed event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While costume designer Molly Rogers excels with the fabulous formal looks, the workwear is more of a mixed bag. Considering how quickly Andy was pressured out of tacky clothes in the first film, it was surprising to see some of Runway’s staff wearing casual clothes like jeans. Possibly just their take on modern office wear, it will be interesting to see if the fashion ages as well as the first film.
The return of producer Wendy Finerman, director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna helps to make the sequel feel like the original. Their combined creative genius ensures that the film is not just a throwaway tribute act but has a real storyline that can stand on its own with a handful of nostalgia-filled references.
Anne Hathaway steps back into the role of Andy like she never took off the stilettos. She plays the quirky millennial archetype that she always seems to fit into well with an abundance of enthusiasm. Her ability to play up Andy’s awkwardness is incredibly funny and a highlight of some scenes.
Emily Blunt takes on a bigger role as the head of Dior and is thrilled to have power over Miranda. Showing more of a mean streak and fuelled by vengeance, Blunt still incorporates the character’s signature outlandish attitude to much laughter.
Miranda, though, is a devil with a hell of a lot less bite. In the original, a cold glance or purse of the lips was enough to ruin someone’s entire self-esteem. Here, Meryl Streep plays her meanness more directly, with insults and arguments rather than subtle judgment.
The sequel also shows a more vulnerable and kinder side to Miranda, which Streep’s ingenious emotional depth executes perfectly. While Miranda is no longer the devil we all loved to hate, she is an admirably ambitious role model.
Stanley Tucci returns as the stylish but less camp Nigel, who’s lost some of his ambitious spark having stayed at Runway for so long. Tucci’s portrayal comes across as more resigned but happy, as he takes on a mentor-like role to Andy.
There’s a host of new cast members, too, who have very little to do with the plot. The incredibly talented Simone Ashley is underutilised as Miranda’s stylish and confident first assistant. She amazes with the very few lines she’s given.
It’s a thrill to see this all-star cast reunite and strut back onto the big screen. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a celebration of fierce fashions and complicated characters, and is a nostalgia-induced chick-flick to go head over heels about.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 is on now in cinemas nationally. This reviewer attended the film at Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo in Brisbane.
Tickets and session times at Dendy are available at the link below:
Website: https://coorparoo.dendy.com.au/movie/the-devil-wears-prada-2/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/dendy.au/
Watch the trailer here:
Film details:
Title: The Devil Wears Prada 2
Director: David Frankel
Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci
Country of Origin: USA
Duration: 122 mins
