What a hoot !

What a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a few hedonistic  afternoon hours, experiencing firsthand the delights of haute couture fashion in New York and Milan, whilst lounging with a coffee and an oversized box of popcorn in a comfy cinema seat in Shellharbour.

Yes, I succumbed to the sequel of the Devil Wears Prada, and I have to tell you, though many sequels fall far short of the original film, this one does not. 

How could it? With Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci returning for round 2, this film was destined for success. All that was needed was a new take, an acceptable plot, and maybe a few quick cameos by no other than Lady Gaga, and Donatella Versace. Oh, and did I not mention an appearance by Heidi Klum and Naomi Campbell? 

So for the Dedicated Followers Of Fashion, this movie is a sensory explosion. The costuming is extraordinary, the shoes, the sunglasses, the makeup, the hair all stunning, with characters adorned in outfits to die for. There are no trackies , hoodies or Lycra clad bodies in this film, that would be a travesty. The scenes of Fashion Week in Milan, runway models strutting their stuff,and the outrageously extravagant afterparties sparkle with glitz, glamour and over the top indulgence. 

If however, you’re not into dazzlingly designed, eyewateringly expensive adornment, there is still so much to be captivated by in this film. Vignettes of life for the rich and fashionable in New York, the Hamptons,Milan and Lake Como, can be a vicarious experience, of course that’s exactly what the filmmaker is intending. I know I wouldn’t mind a Day In The Life, just one sweet day.

Then there are the characters, revolving around Miranda Priestley played by Streep, like little planets around the Sun. Oh what an enigmatic portrayal of a superstar of the fashion industry! Oh how Miranda rules at Runway Magazine with a quiet tone of voice, belying the ruthlessness, the bitchiness, the mental strength of a lioness in a crazy, volatile business jungle. Only in the scenes with her husband, played by Kenneth Branagh, does she exhibit some melting of the ice. 

We also see her vulnerability many times, but only behind closed doors, she’s too steely to show weakness in public.

Stanley Tucci as her faithful right hand man and confidant mentors Andy Sachs ( Anne Hathaway) through the maze of office politics and demanding, sometimes ridiculous, standards. Andy has the patience, perseverance and smarts necessary to survive Miranda, whilst also doing many a designer outfit great justice. And Emily Blunt as Emily returns, vengeful, scheming, and almost successful in a sneaky plot. This I won’t divulge, but it is significant.

Intellectual, a brain tease this movie is not. Nor is it a thriller, a romcom, or violent. 

What this movie is, is a whole lot of colour, vibrancy, opulence, pizzazz. We the audience are immersed in the energy , the razzle dazzle of the world’s luxury clothing sector, the pomp and pageantry of the fashion shows, the cutthroat nature of the industry and the real fear of failure in its ranks. Who would want to have a career in this environment? I’m sure many.

I however, am very happy to just visit, and watch contentedly from the sidelines.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a joy, as long as you don’t take it too seriously. 

Do see it if you can, and don’t worry too much about dressing up, you live in the real world.