FILM REVIEW: DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

There are very few ways to enjoy a film more than beneath the stars, surrounded by beautiful Dorset countryside. The Devil Wears Prada 2 screening at the Blue Pool on Saturday 5th of September provided the most atmospherically pleasing scenery for an evening of outdoor cinema. Rather than feeling like simply arriving at a film screening, it felt like arriving for a special night out.

The venue itself is what makes Purbeck Film Festival’s outdoor screenings so special. The Blue Pool is a former clay pit transformed into a peaceful lake, surrounded by woodland and heathland, with the historic 1930s Art Deco tea rooms adding to its charm.

Once dark had hit, the atmosphere changed. Despite having been a warm day, the evening chilliness slowly crept up as people began to wrap themselves tighter in the blankets and coats they had brought with them. The Festival describes its summer programme as “Cinema Under the Stars”, and at The Blue Pool it really did feel like cinema had been given a magical Dorset makeover. The screening was scheduled for 8 pm, with the gates opening from 7 pm to give audiences time to find a good spot, enjoy food and drinks provided by the beautiful café, a perfect accompaniment to the evening.

The Devil Wears Prada 2, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, brings the glamorous and much-loved world of The Devil Wears Prada back to our screens. Returning to the très chic and magnificent fashion world of the 2006 original, the sequel combines familiar faces with a new chapter in the lives of its unforgettable characters. This time, Miranda Priestly finds herself facing the changing fortunes of her magazine and, once again, turns to Andy Sachs for help. With its stylish setting, sharp humour and nostalgic connection to the original, the film promises to recapture the magic that made the first movie such a classic.

Watching this particular film outdoors felt especially fitting. The glamour, humour and strong personalities of The Devil Wears Prada 2 contrasted the tranquillity and calmness of the nature surrounding the grounds of The Blue Pool. Being in a calm setting like this creates a backdrop for the watchers to fully immerse themselves in the film and be transported into Miranda Priestly’s stylish world.

What makes Purbeck Film Festival stand out is its understanding that watching a film can be about far more than what happens on the screen. It is about the location, the company, the anticipation, the food and drink, and the feeling of being part of something memorable.

And at The Blue Pool, that experience was particularly special. From the moment of arrival, through the beautiful café and indulgent hot chocolate, to sitting beneath the evening sky waiting for the opening credits, the whole evening felt like a treat.