Beautifully filmed, "Last September" has the
feeling of an impressionistic painting. The setting
is that of the last days of the ruling "tribe" of
Ireland back in 1916 as the Irish begin to revolt.
But the primary story is at play in young Lois, a
member of the elite, pursued by an innocent British
soldier, but allured to the roughened Irish renegade
she had known as a child.
Despite the text preface, this ruling "Tribe"
scenario may still be a bit confusing to those not
privy to UK history. It certainly was for me. For
that reason, here is further explanation from the
film's production material: They are "the Ascendancy
... moneyed, graceful and essentially feudal. The
Anglo-Irish aristocracy (the wealthier heirs of
English immigrants in Ireland, who sound and appear
English, although they consider themselves
Irish)."
Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon are superb in
their proper snootitude. Fiano Shaw gives a flawless
performance as Lois' influential confidant. In fact,
most of the acting, direction, and cinematography are
remarkable. It's the culmination of the story that
falls flat against this disciplined canvas.
Director, Deborah Warner's portrayal of the
sheltered, ignorantly bliss elite is as delicate and
beautiful as the shell of an Easter egg -- inviting
friends over for a tennis party while the countryside
trembles on the verge of war.
Lois, herself, is carefree, emotion-driven, spur
of the moment; and for that we all fall in love with
her. With giddily attractive dialogue like..."You're
so sudden all of a sudden." and "How do you know I'm
not in love with some married man or something."
These lines are delivered in a completely sweet and
romantic scene with her innocent soldier-caller. This
stunning moment is followed by a charming chat with
the experienced yet, sensitively-humored, older
woman.
Unfortunately, by the end of the film our patience
with both Lois and this oft-used story line may not
be so sympathetic.
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