Rent September (1987)

Low key ensemble drama. - September review by Steve

Woody made September on location in Vermont, but on completion he discarded the film, changed most of the cast and shot it in a studio. It is an understated drama, filmed in a single location representing two days in the lives of six characters centring on Mia Farrow as Lane, who as a child, was charged with killing the lover of her glamorous model/celebrity mother, played by Elaine Stritch.

Trapped in the house by a thunderstorm which has blown the electricity, Mia's vulnerability is constantly crushed beneath her mother's insensitive egotism. Most of the film is in candlelight after the electricity fails which lends the film a golden hue and an unusual, ghostly atmosphere.

The six personalities trapped within an old house by nature's uproar (within a violent, indifferent universe) are all interesting, and the performances are exceptional. In particular Dianne Wiest as the woman who tempts the attention of Mia's last chance away from her. Wiest is such a great actor and the struggle of her emotional want weighed against her desire to do the right thing is very affecting and impressive. 

The film was savaged by the critics and was Woody's biggest box office calamity, particularly damaging as he had made it twice (he says he wants to make it again!). But, I really like it! OK, Woody's script covers familiar themes, but in quite a different way. It's not one that I'm going to watch that often, but it's still a strong film.