Why Does Meryl Streep Play Miranda Priestly as a Different Character in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’?

By Daniel D'Addario

Daniel D'Addario

Chief TV Critic

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“The Devil Wears Prada 2” commits a sin that would give any glossy-magazine profile writer a shudder of recognition. It falls in love with its subject — and delivers, rather than a frank and delicious portrait, a puff piece.

In this franchise’s first installment, released in 2006, editor-from-hell Miranda Priestly ruled her domain with a terrifying, unflappable calm. That her standing in the publishing world are diminished 20 years later reflects the reality of the print business. But that she reacts to her misfortunes with a practically cuddly amiability indicates that this sequel, determined to super-serve fans what they seem to want, has lost the plot, and the spirit of who Miranda is (or was). 

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