Its a welcome return to Runway Magazine as familiar faces reunite to save the magazine.
Twenty years on, while the magazine and media industry have changed – this classy and nostalgic sequel to the original 2006 film showcases the glamour of the fashion world but with an insightful look at how publishing has changed.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 sees Andy (Anne Hathaway) having to return to the world of Runway Fashion having lost her job at a broadsheet where she won many awards for her work. Her reason for returning to Runway Magazine? To help save it in the wake of a crisis – as well as attempting to save the reputation of her former boss the formidable Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep). Along the way she is reunited with Nigel (Stanley Tucci) as Miranda’s loyal number 2 in command and the sharp tongued (but always amusing) Emily (Emily Blunt)
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by David Frankel, this sequel really plays into all of the aspects that made the original film great – the sharpness of the characters and script as well as the glamour of the fashion world. The main difference that there seems to be a more of a self-awareness in terms of inclusivity – and of course appropriately less focus on body shapes in the fashion industry. While this appropriate in these times, it does feel that it lacks some bite, particularly in the way in which Miranda’s character seems to have lost a slight confidence. While it is lovely to see a softer side to her, somehow you long to see a bit more of her feistiness and determination to fight – although by the end it becomes slightly clearer.
It is a film that is filled with lovely moments including the moments such Miranda is discovers what it is like to fly economy, her new assistant Amari (Simone Ashley) having to correct Miranda on numerous occasions and plenty of quick witted comebacks and one liners given to Emily.
As with any sequel, The Devil Wears Prada leans into nostalgia with plenty of easter eggs for fans of the original film to enjoy – including plenty of updated versions of scenes including Nigel helping Andy picking out outfits for a trip to the Hamptons, Andy frantically trying to stop a disaster towards the end of the film and the famous blue sweater makes an appearance of sort – just to name a few things.
Beneath the fun and the humour, the film does have a bit of sadness to it in the way it highlights just how the publishing and media industries have adapted and changed over the years. The audience can really see the devastation in Miranda that the publication she loves so deeply has changed so much – but it is interesting to see how her and Andy’s working relationship has changed and evolved, finishing on a strong and respectful note.
As expected the film is glorious visually, the beautifully shot, with the fashion sequences of course proving to be real highlight and it is real treat to spend time with the cast once more (although I feel that newer characters could have been integrated more into the plot).
All of the cast have their moments to shine and it offers an interesting perspective on how they have reached this point in their lives that get them back together. The most transformative character is Miranda herself, Meryl Streep getting an opportunity to explore a different side to the character but as mentioned earlier the script just lacks a few more sharp quips for her to deliver brilliantly. Anne Hathaway slips back into the role of Andy perfectly, capturing the character’s confidence and determination to make a difference in the industry, Stanley Tucci is brilliantly direct as Nigel once again – perfect foil once more for Hathaway’s Andy. Emily Blunt is fantastically sharp witted as Emily once more, capturing the character’s ambition perfectly and confusion over the person she has become.
Wonderfully nostalgic and filmed to the highest quality, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a rare instance that sequels can work to great effect. That’s all.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️