Review: The September Issue

Lastnight, The September Issue, a documentary following the making of the September 2007 issue of Vogue, premiered here in Belgium, and I made sure I was first in line for the matinee showing, gays in tow.

Did we laugh? Yes. Most when larger-than-life editor Andre Leon Talley showed up Louis Vuitton clad for Anna-prompted tennis fitness. Through this surely forced weightloss recommendation, Wintour 'saved [his] life', but, apparently, her close acquaintance Roger Federer could not also recommend proper tennis gear.

Did we cry? Almost. Anna nearly broke her steely facade when describing her siblings' 'amusement' of her career choice, while they build houses in Rwanda and perform other worthwhile occupations.

But while Anna and the gang played out the roles we almost expected them to - Anna is the anointed 'Pope' of Vogue (as confirmed by accessories editor Candy Pratts Price) with the same detached and decisive demeanour portrayed by Meryl Streep in the 'fictional' Devil Wears Prada - chief stylist Grace Coddington, whose vulnerability and raw emotion is captured on camera, is the breakout star of the movie.

As someone who loves fashion, for its artistry, ability to transform, and personal expression, I felt connected to Grace in a way a viewer could never connect to the movie without her, simply because the other protagonist is inaccessible.

For Anna, fashion is her career, while for Grace it is her life. Not to take away from Anna's effectiveness in her career, mind you.

In the film, we see over and over just how powerful a figure in the industry Anna really is.

As is stated in the film, when Vogue gets behind something, it sells. And what a production it is to get behind something, let me tell you! At one point, an editorial spread (one of many) at a cost of a cool $50,000 was thrown aside in favour of a reshoot. Meanwhile, cover girl Sienna Miller is relocated to Rome, retouched, and wigged to satisfy Wintour's standards.

But is it all worthwhile? Of course. One in TEN American women pick up the September Issue of Vogue. And as The September Issue takes you behind-the-scenes, it also makes for interesting filmaking.