September (Dir. Woody Allen/1987)
“I’m not who I thought I was” notes Steffie (Dianne Wiest)
in Woody Allen’s sober and sincere September.
Loosely based on Chekhov play Uncle
Vanya, Allen contains the drama within a single house. Friends and family are
supporting clinically-depressed Lane (Mia Farrow) following a failed suicide
attempt but everyone finds it difficult to cope. Lane loves her boyfriend Peter
(Sam Waterston), but he has fallen for Steffie, a married woman going through a
rough patch. Lane’s Mum, Diane (Elaine Stritch), a retired actress is desperate
for Peter to write her biography frustrating Lane further. Suffice to say,
no-one is, emotionally, who they think they are. Lacking the laughs, September provides a solemn approach to
relationships. Allen takes a step towards seriousness as affairs are not flippant
and suicide is real. A tender story, September
lacks the pace and immediacy that drives a drama forward making this more
miss than hit.
Rating: 5/10
