After twenty years the devil in Prada is back on our screens. The Devil Wears Prada 2 may not be exactly what fans were expecting. Yes, it's gloriously fashionable, ruthless and packed with iconic performances and quotable lines, but it's also an honest depiction of the current hardships facing the fashion, writing and arts industries. It's a scary watch. If you were looking for just a ruthless and iconic sequel, this won't be for you, but if you are willing to embrace what the film is telling us, you'll not only enjoy the elements that make the first film iconic, but you will come out of the cinema with a fresh perspective. Simply put, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the wake up call we all needed. Read on for my full review! (There will be minor spoilers).
The film picks up twenty years later with Miranda (Meryl Streep) still leading Runway, but in the midst of a scandal. Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has just been made redundant from the paper she writes for; desperate she takes a job at Runway ready to save the day for Miranda. The dynamic between the two is different, it still has the same electric energy, although Andy still acts as if she doesn't know her place. The premise throughout the first half drags a little as the new reality facing Miranda and the print media industry is laid bare. Just as things err on the side of dull, a huge twist sets the film into full speed, and we go running down the runway with it. So no, it's not as slick as the first film, but that is not necessarily a negative.
It's not a negative because every moment of this film is crafted to leave an impact on its viewers. When we watched the first film, we remembered the fashion, the outfit change montage to Madonna's Vogue, we remembered the ruthless but incredible Miranda, that's all. The Devil Wears Prada 2, says look at our creative industries, look how a world of clickbait, fast news, overconsumption and AI is ripping the very heart and soul from print media, fashion, writing and art. For audiences that are willing to listen, to understand, they will remember this film for more than the fashion and the drama. They will remember it as the first time they truly looked at how much has changed in the last twenty years and they will question if the changes have been for the better. That is impactful!
Emily Blunt delivers a fantastic performance as Emily, seamlessly stepping back into the role. Hathaway is great just not as iconic as Blunt, but she is a great reminder of what integrity looks like. Stanley Tucci's Nigel is a fan favourite, it's brilliant to see him back. Streep's performance is different, a combination of not being able to fully recapture the role of Miranda and Miranda struggling within the narrative, times have changed and although Miranda hates it she has had to adapt to stay relevant. There is one particular scene where we see Miranda having to hang her own coat, it's awkward and quite honestly sad to watch. Whilst the situation seems fair, Miranda's reaction is out of character, it would have been better if she'd thrown the coat across the room, then calmly sweeping her hair back, and yet we see her struggle then lean back as if exhausted. How sad it is to watch mighty giants shrink.
Elsewhere we are treated to glorious shots of New York City, once again reminding us that the city is a character, providing the beautiful background for the drama. Whilst we do not see Emily in Paris (sigh) we do travel to Milan, which adds a level of excitement. The film is full of glamour and enticing luxury, offering a window into the world of fashion. Cinematographer Florian Ballhaus has a fantastic way of glamourising every moment, creating envy amongst viewers. The appearance of Lady Gaga and her song 'Shape of A Woman' are brilliant additions although the film is lacking an iconic sound of its own, relying on pieces of score and music from the first film. This adds to the nostalgia, which for fans makes The Devil Wears Prada 2 all the more enjoyable.
Overall, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a must watch, it's a unique sequel that combines luxury, fashion and ruthlessness with a crucial message about AI and overconsumption. It's slower paced and not as slick, but it's elevated by nostalgia, message and cinematography. A thoroughly entertaining film, that audiences will love.
4.5 STARS.
Thank you for reading, thats all.
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