Film Diaries

An Expertly Tailored Sequel

After 20 years, we’ve been revived! As a lover of the first movie that came out just before the first iPhone, I can confidently say that this satisfied all the things that I was looking for. There was so much tenacity in every scene, on the edge of my seat waiting for them to spill their hearts out – they did just that. Andy Sachs, our dear girl, evolved into the woman that we all wanted her to be. Still quirky and endearing, she reminded me that there is hope in the future. The moment when she sees Miranda, played by Meryl Streep, for the first time after all these years was absolutely hilarious. In all her ruthless candor, she continues to surprise us. We all know that Miranda has the ferocious energy of a lion.

Fashion remains an iconic mainframe. Just like before, I am left wanting to go shopping and redesign my entire wardrobe after watching such enticing pieces being put together in a way that makes life worth living. Characters like Nigel, played by Stanley Tucci, remain at the forefront with inspiring styling tips that makes me wish I knew him personally enough to pick designer for me, too. All the liveliness of the fashion industry lays in their palms, guiding us through the ages of modernization but with just the right nuances that make it all seamless.

Andy brings an emotional aspect to the story, in such a natural way. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched her, fears and joys and desires all wrapped up into a constant developing mind. A writer of all professions, one of the most difficult things to be. I felt her endurance in which I myself lack, yet I can resonate with her passion in a way that encourages me to want the same. It’s not easy to seek journalistic independence in a world such as this, the potential of intellectual decimation and ridiculous artificial intelligence. I enjoy her rawness because she is candid, nothing else. She brings herself to the table with all that she has to give and that to me is the most significant development that one can have. Andy carries herself in a way that makes you want to be with her, the kind of person that says it will all be okay.

One of the key points in this sequel is the current state of the world with regard to declining media. The digitization of consumption has brought forth the downfall of companies like Runway, who are trying so desperately to adapt to the new age. It has become so relevant, this notion of adaptation. If we do not adapt, then we may simply be left behind. If we strive for perfection, it must be aligned with the mechanisms of a reconstructed phenomena, one that is driven by the scrolls of thirty second videos. It makes me wonder, who will strive to keep the old traditions alive?

Emily Blunt returns as Emily, giving us that reprimanding attitude that we all adore. Her development was a sight unseen, leaving me concerned but very amused. She emphasized the innovation of retail, reminding us that Christmas makes it all worth the price. Her love affair being with data center junkie, a patron that eased her welfare. She opened up like a flower, allowing herself to be honest about her past relationship with Miranda. It was interesting to see, the harboring of anger, an emotional prison that keeps someone like her seeking for the opportunity to wreak havoc at any moment. Andy presented herself with innocence, wanting to believe that people have the good intentions. Except, not everyone does. But as Miranda says as she eyed The Last Supper, perhaps Da Vinci wanted us to see, that in the absence of a halo, not all humans are perfect.

One of my favorite scenes was when Andy approaches Miranda and tells her that they need to go right away. Right then, she feels that her obligations as Editor in Chief must take precedence as they usually do, but Andy reminds her that Nigel is there, too. I think that was a true full circle initiative, an instant of realization for Miranda that perhaps she has overlooked the passion that Nigel had for representing her and Runway. He made no point of this, revealing that he was somehow content with being in the background after all these years. As Miranda kissed him on the cheek, I found myself crying again, relishing in this beautiful moment.

If you loved the first movie, you will love this sequel. It pulls at all your heart strings at the right moments, makes you laugh when you least expect to, all whilst enjoying fashion that continues to live on forever.