The September 2008 issue of Vogue, weighing nearly five pounds, was the single largest issue of a magazine ever published. With unprecedented access, this documentary tells the story of Vogue's icy, legendary, editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her larger-than-life team of editors creating the issue and heading the world of fashion.
After the unfulfilled promises of Bruno and Coco Avant Chanel, we finally have a film to delight fashionistas. They will lap up this extensive look into the making of the Yellow Pages-sized magazine and, in particular, the horse-trading, the tantrums and the sheer whims of the Pope-like editor Anna Wintour.
Director Cutler deserves credit for managing to get behind the trademark reflective sunglasses to reveal a woman constantly betrayed by her body language (in particular her eyes), ridiculed by her ‘serious journalist’ siblings and determined to stop people being frightened of fashion.
But strangely, Wintour is not the star of the show, with the limelight stolen by her underlings – the flamboyant editor-at-large, Andre Leon Talley, and, most notably, creative director Grace Coddington. A former model, the Welsh woman who started work at Vogue on the same day as Wintour has her own massive ego and isn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with her boss or gripe about her to the camera crew.
Slickly edited, The September Issue will even appeal to those whose interest in fashion barely extends beyond Victoria's Secret catalogues, especially as it confirms that most photos are extensively retouched and reveals that yes, models do enjoy pastries.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
We expected a lot from this movie, however I fought sleep during the first part, and had to thump my husband awake when a loud snore erupted from him. All we saw was a load of posuers sucking up to AW. What a waste of time.
This is a great wee insight into Vogue and the fashion world, one which I enjoyed. Just don't expect anything hard-hitting of in-depth.
A splendid study of the forces and passions behind the world’s biggest fashion magazine.
Consistent with her ice queen reputation, Wintour is often disconcertingly direct and frequently unfeeling, though not without a dry sense of humor.
Which photos make it into the final edition? Are there enough Nina Ricci dresses? Will Sienna Miller wear a wig? The achievement of The September Issue is that by the end of the film I actually cared about the answers to these questions.
This entertaining, glib movie is about the maintenance of a brand that Ms. Wintour has brilliantly cultivated since she assumed her place at the top of the editorial masthead in 1988 and which the documentary’s director, R. J. Cutler, has helped polish with a take so flattering he might as well work there.
Well structured, entertaining and revealing documentary.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 10th Sep 2009.
Release date: September 10th 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
