As anyone foraying in journalism for over two decades, the opening conflict in the Devil Wears Prada 2 will hit home. Journalism still matters, cries Andy Sachs. Anne Hathaway’s earnest and honest portrayal of the cinema icon wins you over instantaneously but the film’s got its ups and downs. The Devil Wears Prada’s sequel, all shiny with a the even more iconic Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), Emily (Emily Blunt) and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) is a must-watch for fans and non-fans alike.
Fashion in the Age of Doomscrolling:
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by David Frankel (the original duo behind the first film), The Devil Wears Prada 2 picks up not exactly where it left off. It is the age of digital revolution; traditional journalism is done and dusted and media legends like Priestly are refusing to evolve much. Or if they do, perchance, it’s not without a clear signature sneer that Streep nails every time she delivers it.
The Plot and the Twist:
Andy Sachs is back on Runway’s editorial team, this time head of features. As Runway juggles with a change of the new order, BJ Novak and Justin Theroux become the faces of modern-day capitalism. The sequel is less catty and loftier, as it encourages more soul-searching instead of the perfect Prada fit. Priestly’s character has less edge than she did in the first film. There are more messages of female solidarity than women tearing each other down (was it what made the first installment so fun?). The film suffers from some pacing issues, as many scenes seem to be focused on showing and not telling. But it when it gets good, it remains memorable
The High Points:
The moment where Miranda thanks Nigel and appears in Andy’s room to ‘set’ their game plan in motion to save Runway remain the high points of the film. Also delicious are the old-school paparazzi moments where Andy holds her own as she walks beside Miranda. There is something more humane about this film than its predecessor. It also gets some gender norms right when Andy’s love interest isn’t a controlling narcissist.
While the fashion and aesthetics layer of the film provides for much of the entertainment, The Devil Wears Prada 2’s real triumph is having a balanced conversation about women’s survival in a cutthroat business. What it lacks in humor, it makes up for in depth and grace. At various points you will remember Miranda’s original one-liners (by all means move at a glacial pace, florals for spring) that have stood the test of time, compared to the forgettable punches that barely land in the second film. Regardless, Streep remains iconic.
The Flaws:
The flaw is in showcasing Miranda as more vulnerable than before. While it creates more soul and substance, as it makes for a convincing relationship between Andrea and Miranda, it isn’t as magical as its original.
The Top-Notch Performances:
Nevertheless, Streep’s raised eyebrows and pursed lips do more acting in these two short hours than most people do in a decade. Anne Hathaway’s honest-to-goodness, frantic yet controlled depiction of Andrea Sachs remains the spine on which this film dances around. Whether Hathaway is breaking down, losing her cool or sitting with a subtle emotion, she shines and controls the power of the film. Women can have it all: soul and a Prada bag. Hathaway is proof.
Verdict:
Overall, the film is not just for the prequel fans. It’s for anyone who relates to the cutthroat business of fashion and journalism and where the twain meet. It is an albeit idealistic take on female solidarity but a heartwarming take nonetheless. The Devil Wears Prada 2 may not be as iconic as its predecessor but it sure remains iconic in an age of AI slop and unoriginal two minute reels that rot the brain.
