Review: THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE / R.J. Cutler (2009)
September 10th, 2009 by Scott Marks
Separated at birth: Lee Grant and Anna Wintour
The September Issue (2009)
Directed by R.J. Cutler
Starring: Anna Wintour
Running Time: 90 min.
Rating: 
The funniest moment in “The September Issue” comes when Anna Wintour turns to one of her inferiors and begins a question with, “Do you think…?” Like she cares what anyone else thinks.
For those of you not familiar with the name, Anna Wintour is the editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine and the title refers to celebrated city directory-sized fall issue which an estimated one in eight American women purchase annually.
If she still doesn’t ring a bell, Meryl Streep played her to bitch perfection in “The Devil Wears Prada.” If they really wanted to yank the fashion maven’s chain they should have cast her lookalike Lee Grant in the lead role, and while I’m at it, Mesach Taylor would have made a fine substitute for Andre Talley Leon.
Mesach Taylor & Andre Talley Leon
The one question that the film never raises is whether or not Ms. Wintour was flattered or flattened by having one America’s most revered actresses portray her on film. Guess not. A local rep told me that the studio was doing its best to keep all references to “Prada” out of the marketing and advertising. Too bad for distributor that the dour Ms. Wintour doesn’t have more of a sense of humor. It’s certain that more people are familiar with Streep’s performance than the subject she based it on and the “Prada” connection would have helped to sell more tickets.
The film paints a hazy shade of Wintour. With a camera crew on her tail, there was bound to be no evidence of venomous behavior on her part. She comes off as cold and distant and very seldom are we given access to the monster without her shell. Halfway through the film Ms. Wintour appears to have had enough.
She speaks briefly about her upbringing and the only time she seems even remotely human is during an interview with her daughter. While the film doesn’t attempt to elevate her to sainthood, this is one of the least critical documentaries ever made. There is more ass kissing on display than the old “Arsenio Hall Show.” And forgive my impertinence, but there is something satirically contemptuous about watching Ms. Wintour’s gaggle of overweight meeskites passing judgment on photos of models who are thinner than the wire hangers that hold their fashions on the rack.
Not surprisingly, the production company behind “The September Issue” is A&E IndieFilms. If ever a personal history should have aired on A&E’s “Biography” it’s this one. For a much sharper and more revealing fashion bio, may I suggest Matt Tyrnauer’s “Valentino: The Last Emperor.”
Tags: american vogue, anna wintour, Documentary, Fashion, Film Review, Movie Review, the september issue, vogue, vogue magazineFiled Under Rants
John Edwards admits to affair, but denies the bastard is his
June 19th, 2009 by Scott Marks
After doing his best to moonwalk away from the press, John Edwards has finally admitted to what the National Enquirer has known all along: the former presidential candidate did have an affair. Rielle Hunter says that Edwards is the one, but he swears that Francis Quinn Hunter is not his son…er, daughter.
Edwards told ABC News that he lied repeatedly about the affair with 42-year-old Hunter (while his wife battled cancer) but said that he didn’t love her. Nice guy!
John Edwards’ mistress, Rielle Hunter
Certain that he isn’t the father, Edwards has yet to take a paternity test. He swears that it couldn’t be him because of the timing of the affair and the birth. This from the same man who told reportes in October 2007 that, “The story is false. it’s completely untrue, ridiculous.”
According to the Associated Press, “Edwards acknowledged the affair on Friday afternoon, traditionally a slow-news period even when the Olympic Games’ opening ceremonies are not preoccupying millions of Americans.”
Asked whether the affair would damage Edwards’ future aspirations in public service, David Bonior, Edwards’ campaign manager for his 2008 presidential bid, said: “You can’t lie in politics and expect to have people’s confidence.”
Since when? It sure worked wonders for Bill Clinton.
Tags: Documentary, Filmmaker, John Edwards, john edwards admits affair, john edwards affair, john edwards love child, Love Child, National Enquirer, Rielle HunterFiled Under Gossip, Image Blog, News, Rants
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