The Devil Wears Prada 2 offers a mixed bag of nostalgia and reality
The release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 sees the familiar faces of Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt take centre stage, overshadowing Anne Hathaway’s character, journalist Andy Sachs. The sequel, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving media landscape, further marginalizes Hathaway’s role as it navigates themes of journalism and modern fashion, reports BritPanorama.
This follow-up bears no connection to Lauren Weisberger’s 2013 novel, Revenge Wears Prada, which revolved around wedding plans in an entirely different tone. Here, Andy is portrayed as a serious reporter, writing about the Federal Reserve for a prominent newspaper; this job, however, comes to an abrupt end as her entire team is laid off early in the film.
Meanwhile, Runway, the magazine led by the formidable Miranda Priestly (Streep), struggles to adapt to a world defined by clickbait and online engagement. The return of Andy comes after Miranda faces backlash from a public relations blunder. This re-emergence is coupled with the return of a sarcastic Emily (Blunt), now entrenched in fashion retail and relishing her power over advertising budgets.
The film’s narrative attempts to grapple with contemporary issues such as digital media’s influence and the challenges facing traditional journalism. Yet, it sometimes feels forced, replacing witty observations with sequences that seem to miss the mark regarding what audiences may seek in such a film. Director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna seem aware of these gaps but fail to fill them with engaging content.
Nonetheless, the film does offer moments of levity. Streep remains captivating as Miranda, her dismissive nature bringing familiar delight, while Blunt capitalizes on her role with a memorable portrayal. New supporting characters add diversity to the mix, including Simone Ashley as Miranda’s assistant and Justin Theroux as Emily’s tech billionaire boyfriend, though some characters feel underutilized.
The scenes set during Milan Fashion Week aim to inject energy into the plot, showcasing extravagant fashion moments and interactions with celebrities like Lady Gaga. However, these encounters often overshadow Andy’s more serious quest to craft her new role meaningfully, rendering her storyline comparatively lackluster.
Despite an ensemble cast of well-known actors, the film suggests that some may have had reservations about returning to these roles. For Hathaway, the opportunity to revisit Andy Sachs may ultimately not have been as fulfilling as expected.
In cinemas from 1 May
