Strike a pose, your favourite iconic quartet has strutted back onto our screens after twenty years, ready to fulfil fans with their charm, ambition, and cerulean clothes. The Devil Wears Prada 2, directed by David Frankel, has officially hit UK cinemas and here’s what to expect…
When I first found out about the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, like many others who value the original as a cult classic, I was sceptical. What I deemed unnecessary, however, was in fact completely and utterly necessary. This film doesn’t tarnish its predecessor’s reputation but, in fact, improves it; we really owe it to the film's successful execution to remind us that fashion remains a very real and powerful industry. Loosely based on Lauren Weisberger’s Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, The Devil Wears Prada 2, sees the return of Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Anne Hathaway stepping into their roles effortlessly, as if no time as passed. Supported by guest stars Lady Gaga, Simone Ashley and B.J. Novak, the wonderful world of the cast delivered stylishly dramatic performances that truly leaned into the films playfully campy tone.
Our two main protagonists, Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs, reignite their cat-and-mouse relationship when Andy is reemployed as a feature editor, set to rewire the company’s reputation, as well as Miranda's, when the powerful matriarch of the magazine finds herself under heavy criticism over a sweat-shop scandal. Where Meryl Streep stole the show in the original, there is no doubt that Anne Hathaway holds the glory in this sequel. The infectious energy of her character, slightly messy yet charming, serves as a reminder to budding young corporate women that naivety does not equal unintelligence. However, it was nice to see a character arc within Miranda. Her ice queen exterior was completely shattered in the face of losing her power and position, and it felt refreshing to see this unusual vulnerability, as it made her character feel more human.
Yet it’s not only Miranda and Andy who slip seamlessly back into this world of couture chaos. Nigel and Emily return with positively cold and wry personalities, yet their newfound evolution within the fashion industry (Nigel finally receiving the recognition he deserves and Emily becoming a senior executive at Dior) introduces compelling new storylines that prevent this sequel from relying solely on nostalgia. The return of all central characters, particularly seeing Emily in a ‘rival’ role and Andy working closer with Miranda, not only provided entertaining angles to the narrative, but their striking personalities all contributed to the film’s message surrounding the power and cultural relevance the fashion industry still holds.
Anne Hathaway proves that being thrown into the deep end in a business, whilst taking on entirely new responsibilities, is something anyone, man or woman, can relate to.
As far as modern sequels go, audiences will be pleasantly surprised by everything The Devil Wears Prada 2 did correctly. Whilst the original wrongly fell into the ‘chick-flick’ category, the twenty-year time jump between the first and the next chapter should signal to audiences a saga built on legacy, almost a cry to the future of the fashion and journalism industries. Anne Hathaway proves that being thrown into the deep end in a business, whilst taking on entirely new responsibilities, is something anyone, man or woman, can relate to. Frankel’s decision to tackle ideas of women’s agency, power, and ambition in the workplace pairs alongside his criticisms of the impending threats to media, such as digitalisation and ‘AI’, creating a timely and politically aware film. By harnessing an all-new perspective on the future of journalism, Frankel brings to life the very real possibility that entire publication industries could be swallowed up at any moment by technological advancements.
Amongst the well-executed elements of this sequel, there are two re-occurring instances that remain my only criticisms, but are nonetheless worthy of discussion. Firstly, hands up if you found Andy’s romantic sub-plot a big fat yawn. Not only did I immediately forget the love interest’s name, but his one-dimensional disposition meant that each scene he was involved in was a scene that shifted attention away from the professional triumphs of Andy. It felt like a ‘checked box’ narrative that added very little to her character arc, stripping her back to unnecessary romantic conflict. It would’ve been hugely effective to see Andy fully flourish as a powerhouse in her workforce, without the painfully obvious and formulaic romantic sub-plot that only serves conventions. Also of note was the occasionally wooden dialogue. As a verbally driven film, some of the dialogue came across as stiff when managing the more complex plot developments of the narrative. Although communication between characters was relevant, given the film’s intricate narrative, in some instances, I felt the dialogue didn’t always feel natural enough to support it. However, these moments of inconsistency are balanced by the fact that the film didn’t push awkward ‘Gen Z’ vocabulary just to sound hyper-current. Chronically online-focused dialogue would’ve felt misplaced in a sharp, fast workplace, given that the character's dialogue is specific to their character and industry. The director’s decision to leave temporary slang out of the film helps to uphold the same authenticity and rhythm as the original.
Overall, I found The Devil Wears Prada 2 a gem in the world of modern sequels. With some questionable jokes and a frustrating romantic sub-plot, these moments shouldn’t define how truly chic and glamorous this film is. I think audiences will find a lot to enjoy about this film!
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