In a movie that might win the award for "most Harry Potter cast members in one movie", The Last September features Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, David Tennant, and Fiona Shaw. The setting is a weekend gathering of family and friends in 1920s Ireland. Maggie and Michael, the host and hostess, are determined to keep the peace and get through the weekend with dignity, since it's clear English and Irish tensions are going to soon ruin their idyllic lifestyle. Their wayward niece, Keeley Hawes, seems to be balancing between an extremely awkward love triangle and the edge of acceptable behavior. She frolics in the forest, dances and flails her arms around wildly at random moments, and feels free to say anything on her mind. While this is arguable not acceptable behavior today, it certainly wasn't in the 1920s. I didn't like Keeley's character, but I'm pretty sure you weren't supposed to. She wanders off to flirt around with a creepy guy in a cave and breaks respectable soldier David Tennant's heart. And she doesn't seem to have any clue as to the damage she leaves in her wake.
For me, the highlight was seeing Fiona Shaw in such a different role. Full of class and propriety, she was also alluring and fun - but by the standards of 1920, not today. She didn't try to prove a point to get through to modern audiences; she was completely transplanted into the time period. She wore some great expressions on her face, full of thoughts she couldn't say, and she didn't overplay it because she knew she was in front of the camera.
All in all, I'm not sure why this movie was made. It wasn't really enjoyable, and the characters weren't given enough backstory to really root for them. If you like these types of period pieces, beware: this one is dark and a little violent. It's not Downton Abbey.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Several times when Keeley Hawes prances around in the forest, the camera spins around in a circle, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it. Also, there may or may not be a rape scene.
For me, the highlight was seeing Fiona Shaw in such a different role. Full of class and propriety, she was also alluring and fun - but by the standards of 1920, not today. She didn't try to prove a point to get through to modern audiences; she was completely transplanted into the time period. She wore some great expressions on her face, full of thoughts she couldn't say, and she didn't overplay it because she knew she was in front of the camera.
All in all, I'm not sure why this movie was made. It wasn't really enjoyable, and the characters weren't given enough backstory to really root for them. If you like these types of period pieces, beware: this one is dark and a little violent. It's not Downton Abbey.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Several times when Keeley Hawes prances around in the forest, the camera spins around in a circle, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it. Also, there may or may not be a rape scene.