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Well, how has the past 20 treated her? Have they been kind? Is she now the editor-in-chief of the New York Times? Or maybe features editor of The New Yorker? No, she's just been made redundant by email and she's back on the streets looking for a job. Well, don't worry Andi, I'm sure in this cinematic 21st Century things are still absolutely fabulous at Runway, they're bound to welcome you back with open arms, even if you did destroy a valuable piece of their tech, and steal a shit-load of very expensive branded items of clothing. Well actually things are pretty crap at Runway, Miranda's just written an article seemingly endorsing child labour, she's forced to mind her manners when dealing with the younglings who populate her staff and she has to cowtow to chairman of the board Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman). Anyway, when Irv dies before promoting her to head of everything global, she finds herself locking horns with Irv's son, Jay (B.J. Novak) and having to deal with Emily (Emily Blunt) who's now an executive at Dior and dating super-rich tech nerd Benji (Justin Theroux). Into this complicated world minces Andi to take on the role of Features Editor and save the day.
The plot twists and turns with betrayals, backstabbings and reveals galore and will leave you giddy, taking no prisoners and refusing to slow down even one iota David Frankel directs this as if he has a taxi waiting. Scenes scream by like supercars on the Autobahn, there's no let up, no moments of relaxation, in fact it feels more like he's edited out key scenes to keep the running time down. One minute we're in Manhattan, the next Milan, then Newark, it's like using the 10 second jump feature on Netflix. It's one of those films were we, the audience, are just witnesses to the proceedings, while all the other characters know exactly what's going on but refuse to share any of it with us. Plot points are quickly introduced then just quickly dumped. For example, at one point Andi borrows a fabulous dress for a party at Miranda's house and is ordered by Nigel to return it immaculately. Naturally Andi, who should have stuck a napkin in her collar, spills a single spot of sauce on it and she sneaks into the house to desperately try and clean it. She does. And that's it.
Anyway, the returning cast who don't seem to have aged a day all seem to be enjoying this second bite of this cherry immensely and who can blame them, wearing fabulous clothing, jetting off round the world and generally acting like kids in a playground. Streep is just superb in this, Miranda is a brilliant character and I found myself thinking it would be great to see how she and Tucci clawed their way to the top, for once their origin story would be worth watching. Tucci positively revels in the role of Nigel dispensing much needed levity and context, he's the nicest thing in this by a country mile. Indeed, you need him to cut through the festering darkness that is Miranda. Of them all, I was most delighted to find that Emily Blunt's Emily is the one character who's had the best time since the first film, from Miranda's tortured personal assistant to Senior Executive at Dior, you go, girlfriend!
Anyway, the script by Aline Brosh McKenna who also returns for this belated sequel is witty and entertaining even if the world it portrays is a fake as a three dollar bill. Anyone who's ever worked in publishing will find themselves laughing at the utter anachronisms on display, there's not a magazine alive today that could be this extravagant. This outing isn't as nasty as its predecessor, and Miranda has clearly mellowed, but watching her manipulate and control the narrative is actually rather enjoyable, she becomes its main focus, which is a very good thing, firstly cos Streep is such a joy to behold and secondly her character is the most interesting. Luckily the film doesn't try to make her a good person, she's still as ruthless and scheming and yet this time we're allowed to see the purpose behind it all and her justification. Sadly though the same can't be said of Andi who's still too wholesomely cute and plucky for my tastes.
The audience I saw this with was predominantly female and laughed and whispered throughout it all, and as such I predict this will clean up at the boxoffice. I realised near that end that this film does something I've not seen before, or at least don't think I've seen, it shows women in a professional setting just doing their jobs and not relying on any prince charming to save them or explain things, but also none of that is at the expense of the male characters, who are all portrayed as supportive while not being emasculated, they're not the villains here, in fact it felt as if both were being treated as equals. It makes a change to watch a film made up of a mostly female cast in a film that doesn't involve mistaken identities, Sydney Sweeny, murders or lust.
Overall this is a good looking, but vacuous flick that just about stays this side of too long and just about manages to deliver an entertaining and amusing romp, even if most the characters are back stabbing scum and the world they inhabit well beyond the realms of reality.
7/10
