This blockbuster sequel is one of Hulu’s funniest surprises
This blockbuster sequel is one of Hulu’s funniest surprises
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ brings Andy back to Runway, and finds plenty of comedy in a fashion world that’s changed around Miranda.
Sequels are always scary. Which is why it’s always satisfying when one doesn’t just repeat what made the original movie work but actually builds on it in a way that makes the original proud. And that means being a great movie in and of itself. It’s rarefied air, and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” breathes it. I know, this movie was a huge theatrical hit so an underrated argument seems a little weird. But I don’t think it is. Not in the context of evaluating the movie not just as a sequel, but as a comedy that stands on its own two high heels. Here’s why you should give it a chance, even if you’ve never seen the first one.
Best under-the-radar comedy movie on Hulu
Why ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is the most underrated drama movie on Hulu
The original film is basically an old-school studio comedy. And the sequel has the same DNA — that’s one of the major reasons I love it. The comedy runs on character, not plot twists (though there are some good ones). And the writing and acting have a chance to shine without being overstuffed with plot.
And of course, if you want a who’s who of great actors, this is the movie. Emily Blunt (Emily Charlton) may be the standout in terms of unexpected comedy, but all of Anne Hathaway (Andy Sachs), Stanley Tucci (Nigel Kipling), and, of course, Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly) don’t miss a beat here. The chemistry is still here, the banter is fast and funny, and I laughed every single time Simone Ashley’s character (Miranda’s assistant) tells Miranda, “You can’t say that,” every time she crosses the line.
Just like the original, the Miranda/Andy relationship is the heart of this movie too, but this time Andy’s all grown up. She’s not a deer in the headlights anymore. She advocates for herself, pushes back when she thinks she’s right, and has confidence she never had before. That means you get a ton of comedy from watching Miranda try to treat grown-up Andy like the terrified 22-year-old she remembers (or doesn’t remember).
The movie also feels pretty fresh and relevant. Runway is dealing with the digitization of magazines, collapsing budgets, and smaller media buys. And everyone is wondering how the company is going to survive in a world where cheap media wins. It flies in the face of the glamour and luxury inherent in high fashion. And I found that contradiction and how they explore it pretty interesting.
And that brings me to the fashion and the locations. This movie is dripping in awesome wardrobes and gorgeous sets. It’s a feast for the eyes, and I was legitimately interested in seeing the different pieces both the men and women wore. Of course, Andy is still Andy, and spilling food on one of the pieces she had to literally beg Nigel for had me laughing out loud. I think that’s why this premise still works — sure, Andy is an adult now, but she’s still funny and human and fighting to be taken seriously.
Finally, the movie did what all great movies should do: it moved me emotionally. The final scene where Miranda tells Andy what it really takes to “make it” — the regrets she has, along with the reality of who she is (a woman who can’t live without her job) really touched me. Because it tells the truth about what it takes to try and compete at the highest level of industry. So, if you want some laughs, a tight story well told, and an emotional arc that works, watch it. Don’t dismiss it as another money-making grab because it does the original proud.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Andy Sachs returns to Runway as Miranda Priestly navigates a new media landscape and Runway’s position within. The duo reconnect with former assistant Emily Charlton, now the head of a luxury brand that possesses funding which could ensure Runway’s survival.
What is ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ about?
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” brings Andy back to Runway almost 20 years later, which sounds like it could’ve been a very lazy sequel move, but the circumstances are totally different now. Andy’s had a real career. Emily has gone from Miranda’s assistant to a major Dior executive. And Runway, this huge glamorous thing that felt basically immortal in the first movie, is fighting for its life because magazines just don’t have the money or power they used to.
Miranda needs advertising. Emily controls some of it. Andy gets pulled back into the middle. Everyone has history with everyone, and some of it is very funny because these people remember the past very differently. That’s really the movie — old relationships, new power dynamics, and Miranda trying to keep Runway alive while refusing to act as the world around her has changed at all.
Other underappreciated comedy movies on Hulu
If you’re looking for more underrated comedy movies on Hulu, start with “The Roses.” Tara and I saw this one in theaters, and it totally goes against the grain when a longtime married couple starts realizing maybe they aren’t meant to be together. It’s funny, unpredictable, and stars two legends in Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman.
Then, I’d watch “Send Help.” This survival comedy stars Rachel McAdams as her, and the boss she hates gets stranded on an island after a plane crash.
Finally, if you haven’t watched “Palm Springs,” with Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, clear your evening and watch it. It’s my favorite time-loop comedy with a great original premise and tons of chemistry between the two leads.
Hulu
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