Review of The September Issue (2009) by Robin T — 18 Apr 2010
A perfectly polarized documentary that refuses to choose sides, but instead, lets the sides reveal themselves to the viewer. RJ Cutler's doc isn't so much about Vogue the Magazine, as it's about industry, tastemaking, and creative spirit - and of course, Anna Wintour.
If The September Issue had scripted characters (and it does) the clear protaganist is Grace Coddington. An entirely unassuming woman until the second act, when it is revealed that she has been a Vogue cover girl, worked for British and American Vogue for the past 40 years - in short, a veteran tastemaker and very involved person. The chemistry between Wintour and Coddington is the hinges of the movie, as we see the struggle between Grace's artistic vision and romanticism, and Anna's steely demeanor.
If anything, the audience either worships Wintour and what she stands for or finds the whole industry to be extraneous and silly. It's kind of both.
This review of The September Issue (2009) was written by Robin T on 18 Apr 2010.
The September Issue has generally received positive reviews.
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