As funny and biting as the first installment, this sequel to The Devil Wears Prada – in theaters this Wednesday, April 29 – is anchored this time in the crisis of the magazine press.
The Devil Wears Prada is a success story. While it did not rank in the global box office top 10 in its year of release in 2006, the film – adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s best-seller – still amassed more than $326 million on a budget of around $35 million. Its sharp exploration of the fashion world left a lasting impression, notably thanks to looks and lines that have become cult classics. That alone says how much we were awaiting a sequel! Twenty years later, we are not disappointed. Entertainment and opulence remain at the forefront of this second installment, in theaters on April 29, which unfolds against the backdrop of a magazine industry in flux.
Between the two films, Andy Sachs (portrayed by Anne Hathaway) has become a seasoned journalist to whom awards are given for her commitment… until the day she is suddenly fired. At the same time, Miranda Priestly (the iconic Meryl Streep) commits a blunder by unknowingly praising a brand with questionable practices. As public opinion shames her and the image of Runway, of which she is the indomitable editor-in-chief, suffers, the president of the group that owns the magazine decides to hire Andy as editorial director to restore the media’s image. After electric reunions, Andy and Miranda quickly realize that they will have to stick together if they want to preserve the press title that binds them.
Hard Reality
In 2006, the first film proved striking in its portrayal of the fashion world as a crab basket where only the most resourceful – or duplicitous – had a place. Today, with The Devil Wears Prada 2, the stakes are different. “The world in which these characters live has changed so dramatically in the space of about twenty years, explained director David Frankel at the film’s London premiere. “These are new challenges and a lot of pressure are placed on anyone working in the media, all the more so for a fashion magazine.”
From the ongoing crisis in the magazine press, The Devil Wears Prada 2 touches on budget cuts, mass layoffs, the purchase of media titles by businessmen with no conscience or journalistic interest, the threat embodied by artificial intelligence, and the increasingly important role of advertisers. The character of Miranda Priestly even goes so far as to compare this professional sector to the Titanic as it is sinking. Yet there remain some stubborn press titles, clinging to a plank, as if to stay afloat and not plunge into the abysses of a world left behind…
Unchanged Recipe
But far from dwelling on it, the film remains true entertainment, thanks as much to numerous nods to the first installment that will delight fans as to its still-sharp humor and devastating punchlines. If numerous star cameos — Law Roach, Heidi Klum, Donatella Versace… and even Lady Gaga, who contributes to the soundtrack with the track “Runway” — enchant us, we gladly reunite with the cast that made The Devil Wears Prada in 2006 such a spice.
In the central duo whose impeccable chemistry has stood the test of time, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway seem delighted to reprise their characters and theatrically banter, making every scene a real pleasure for fans. Special mention to Emily Blunt who delivers an excellent comedic performance as well, with hilarious looks and mimics. Stanley Tucci proves, this time even more moving in the role of Nigel, the gay art director of Runway and Miranda Priestly’s right-hand man. His unwavering relationship with Miranda gains nuance in this second film, and one cannot help but see it as a love letter to friendships between straight women and gay men.
