The Devil Wears Prada 2 reinstalled my long-lost faith in sequels, and here’s why…
The film situates us right back into the lives of the stunning characters we know and love, beginning with an albeit dully lit close-up of Anne Hathaway as Miss Emily- I mean Andy Sachs, akin to the first shot of its predecessor, we are instantly thrown back into this chaotic world.
We are reintroduced to these characters we previously only spent an hour and forty-nine minutes with twenty years ago, and it is as if no time has passed. The actors fit back into their roles like a glass slipper; it is hard to pick out any specific notable performances with such a stacked cast, with a clear love and devotion for this franchise. However, I must say there was not nearly enough screentime devoted to the glowing and hilarious Emily Blunt (like seriously, I think you could have heard my laughter from a mile away every time she said anything).
Although an arguably choppy first half, the film’s premise tackles one of the most vile and unfortunate things to happen to our society in the past decade: AI tech bros. A very fitting role for B.J. Novak (seriously, it was like watching The Office), the film explores the tragic decline of journalism, fashion and the arts, reminding us exactly why it is so important we engage with these creative fields. There is no The Devil Wears Prada without Anna Wintour, and there is no Anna Wintour without fashion. Maybe the issue with the current failure of legacy sequels and remakes is forgetting why these films were made in the first place. TDWP2 reminds us exactly why we loved this film twenty years ago and why its messaging still holds up today. To be able to work within the creative fields and celebrate the beauty and heritage of art and fashion is an honour and a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Ever. Yes one can ask AI to write them an essay prompt, or a shopping list in a matter of seconds but AI cannot replicate the innovative minds of the visionaries that came before us. Art, journalism and fashion has and always will matter and no matter how hard tech companies try, we will never be erased.
If you are wondering why the film isn’t called The Devil Still Wears Prada, well, it is because the film makes it wonderfully clear to us that these successful and determined women are not the villains of the story. Rather, it is the greedy, uninspired tech bros who have unwelcomingly infiltrated our cultural industry. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt’s characters have more style, grace and elegance in their left thumbs than any of the B.J. Novak lookalikes of the world (no hate, seriously, B.J. you ate this role up).
So, if I can influence you to do anything this weekend, it is to go and experience this incredible sequel that reminds us why it is so important to stand on the shoulders of giants.
Editor: Grace Lees