The Last September (2000)
In 1920s Ireland, an elderly couple reside over a tired country estate. Living with them are their high-spirited niece, their Oxford student nephew, and married house guests, who are trying to cover up that they are presently homeless. The niece enjoys romantic frolics with a soldier and a hidden guerrilla fighter. All of the principals are thrown into turmoil when one more guest arrives with considerable wit and unwanted advice.
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Reviews
Simply A Masterpiece
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
If you're fond of British costume dramas like "Wives and Daughters" or "Downton Abbey," then this won't be the first time you've seen Michael Gambon as the dithery country squire or, God knows, Maggie Smith as the sharp-tongued lady of the manor or even Keeley Hawes as the out-of-control ingenue that's got everyone so worried about her. This time the setting's a little different—a rural estate in County Cork in 1920, about halfway through the Irish struggle for independence. Other big names in Anglo-Irish drama and letters are involved (novelist Elizabeth Bowen, director Deborah Warner, actress Fiona Shaw, who plays a witchy houseguest), plus 80s fashion icon Jane Birkin in a minor role and a couple of artful Kieslowski cronies as cinematographer and composer. The plot's a bit creaky—KH's character is being courted by an eager British officer, but soon discovers that a childhood friend, now a fugitive IRA gunman, is lurking on the grounds—and the pacing in the opening scenes is suitably Chekhovian, but the resolution is fast and furious, even a bit confusing at one point (how does Peter get away?). Though I'm not sure this prestige project quite adds up to the sum of its parts, we still found it fascinating, and we've watched it on streaming Netflix a couple of times. Film buffs (and home furnishing buffs!) might prefer to send for the DVD to get the full effect of the production values, and the sound levels on streaming are erratic.
I should have guessed what this film would be like from a couple of hecklers at the cinema I saw it."I've seen milk turn quicker than this". And this was only during the opening credits. They left soon after. I should have too.All I can say about this film is a perfect cure for insomnia...show this to a chronic insomniac and they will be out like a light in a couple of minutes.An A-list cast should have turned out something much more interesting than this bore-fest. Thank god I haven't read the book...
"The Last September" tells of the beginning of the end of the Anglo-Irish, circa 1920ish, in Cork, Ireland by examining the clockworks of one family of privilege surrounded by rebellion, on the cusp of degentrification, and trying to keep a stiff upper lip in the face of waning denial. Beautifully filmed and visually delightful, this film sports a wonderful cast who deliver finely nuanced performances. Unfortunately the subject matter is somewhat esoteric, the story meager, and the film burrows into the moment to moment minutia; something which is both it's strength and its weakness. Those who don't get the Brits should pass on this flick. Those who do, may be enthralled by it. I know I was. (B)
Not everyone is familiar with the unique place of the Anglo-Irish in Ireland, and some of my companions expressed trouble following who was who, and how were they related. It took a while to get past this, I suppose. But the film itself is a compelling story of conflicting loyalties, misunderstood motives, and troublesome times. The juxtaposition of dinner parties and political violence was perfectly done. One of the most interesting "period pieces" I've seen, and of course, it's worth the price just to see Maggie Smith again.