Sundance 2009: "The September Issue" Review - Written by Mathius Mack Gertz

The September Issue
USA, 2008, 87min., color
Genre: Documentary
Director: R. J. Cutler
Executive Producers: Molly Thompson, Robert Sharenow, Robert DeBitetto, R. J. Cutler
Producers: R. J. Cutler, Eliza Hindmarch, Sadia Shepard
Cinematographer: Bob Richman
Editor: Azin Samari
Composer: Craig Richey


Any fashionista, or even the occasional reader of a woman’s fashion magazine, will tell you that Meryl Streeps’ portrayal of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) was dead on point. This knowledge comes from…gossip. Director R. J. Cutler delivers a rare insider account of the nine months leading up to the printing of the highly anticipated September issue of Vogue, which promises to be the biggest one ever. In so doing he dispels myth and confirms suspicions. He takes us behind the scenes at fashion week, to Europe and back, on shoots and reshoots, and into the closed staff meetings, bearing witness to an arduous and sometimes emotionally demanding process. Admittedly, he could not have done so without the cooperation of Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue for 20 years and the most polarizing figure in fashion. Larger than life and more complex than fiction, Wintour embodies a fascinating contradiction of passion, and perfectionism as she reigns over a dizzying array of designers, models, photographers, and editors.

Closely explored is the two-decade relationship between Wintour and Grace Coddington, incomparable creative director and genius stylist, who, in contrast to Wintour who is impeccably dressed and coffered every waking moment of the day, exhibits as little attention to her own personal style as she possibly can. Through them we see close up the delicate creative chemistry it takes to remain at the top of the ever-changing fashion business.

Offering a glimpse into an industry that many dream about conquering but few ever venture to even enter, Cutler does his best to deconstruct the creative process as well as the snipping, shade and attitude that plays out daily in the hallowed halls. With official access given him, it is a wonder that he captures as much reality as he does in an industry that is ferociously image conscience. He doesn’t get that much from Wintour herself; but via her staff and Coddington, we are able to glean a great deal about whom and how she truly is.

Somewhere between the iconic work of Frederick Wiseman and commercial films of Michael Moore, Cutler takes us on a roller coaster of a ride into a multi-billion dollar business world that many of us spend more time thinking about than world hunger, violence, the environment, politics or freedom of speech. A must see. Five stars.