After 20 years, the iconic fashion film “The Devil Wears Prada” returns to the big screen. Director David Frankel, reintroduces characters like Andrea Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, and Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, with new wardrobes and developed careers. Frankel reinvents the storyline and builds the characters to be even more confident, while still giving the audience nostalgia and parallels from the past.
In the original 2006 film, Andrea, also known as Andy, is hired to work at Runway fashion magazine as the second assistant to Editor-In-Chief, Miranda Priestly. Immediately, Andy realizes she doesn’t fit in, both physically and mentally. However, after gaining experience and a fashion makeover, she adapts to Runway’s high-pressure environment. Despite her success, Andy gets in over her head and quits her job at Runway to pursue her dreams of “real” journalism at The New York Mirror.
In the second film, Andy goes back to Runway as a features editor after being laid off from her position as a writer for The Vanguard. Throughout her journey, she reconnects with former co-workers such as Nigel Kipling, played by Stanley Tucci, and Emily Charlton, played by Emily Blunt. Not only does she have to prove herself again to Miranda, but she also has to save Runway from scandals and corporate takeover. In the end, Andy saves Runway and steps into the role of Senior Features Editor.
One of the movie’s strongest elements was its nostalgia and anticipation leading up to its release. Seeing Miranda, Andy and Emily together again brought back an abundance of memories for fans of the original film. The unmatched fashion and iconic lines from the first movie prove that these characters remain fan favorites despite the years that have passed. Celebrity and influencer cameos such as Lady Gaga, Donatella Versace and Heidi Klum helped add a modern feel and showed how much pop culture has evolved, a central theme in the new movie.
However, like most, the sequel still didn’t fully live up to the standards of the first. It felt as if fashion wasn’t really the focus, but instead, power and money were. It felt as if some outfits, especially Andy’s, were missing that spark and, in many instances, left the audience wanting more. Along with that, the movie was heavy with unnecessary product placement, making the storytelling and the characters’ emotions feel inauthentic.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” proved that originals can never truly be replaced, but nevertheless, successfully reconnected fans with beloved characters while still growing and introducing future generations to one of the most glamorous films in cinema.
