The new sequel to The Devil Wears Prada hits theaters this weekend, sparking thoughts about whether society has become more shallow since the first film in 2006. Many would argue we’ve improved. We no longer tolerate the body-shaming and toxic tabloid culture that characterized that time. Today, films like this one tackle issues head-on, making fun of outdated attitudes while championing body positivity.
However, on the other side, I feel we might not have evolved as much as we think. When I saw Patrick Brammall, playing Anne Hathaway’s romantic interest, I immediately thought, “The internet is going to have a field day with this.”
Brammall is a talented, likable Australian actor, notably known for the show Colin From Accounts. He portrays a contractor named Peter. When Hathaway’s character Andy meets him, they bond over her life choices, but I can’t help feeling the comparisons—especially when people dissect how good-looking he is next to Hathaway, a widely celebrated star.
I want to clarify that Brammall isn’t unattractive. He has a certain charm, but the internet’s reaction to his appearance is concerning. The trend seems to be to rate men based on how they match up to women like Hathaway. This raises the question: has our society truly transformed in how we view attractiveness?
This type of dialogue isn’t unique to recents films; it’s a popular topic from the original Devil Wears Prada. Back then, many labeled Andy’s boyfriend Nate, played by Adrian Grenier, as a villain. Despite his rising fame during his Entourage days, he hasn’t maintained the same trajectory as Hathaway. Critics often argue about whether Nate was a true antagonist, which misses a key point: how the film cleverly gives depth to female characters while relegating male ones to simpler roles.
Critic Dana Stevens points out that Patrick’s role lacks depth in the sequel, suggesting it might have been better without a romantic subplot. Fair enough. But I liked how the film portrayed Miranda’s love life—showing her growth as she moves on to a supportive partner, played by the talented Kenneth Branagh.
I can’t help but wonder why the filmmakers didn’t choose a leading heartthrob for Andy’s love interest. Was it to challenge the norms of romance in films? If we reflect that way, maybe we can foster a healthier discussion moving forward. After all, we shouldn’t have to reduce a character’s worth to their looks.
With trends and viewer opinions evolving, it seems we’re on a path of eventual growth. Perhaps by the time a third movie comes out, we’ll view beauty and character with more depth than surface-level judgments.
For further insights on societal views of media and gender dynamics, check out The American Psychological Association’s guide on Media Literacy and Gender.
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