The September Issue

Vogue editor Anna Wintour is both a fascinating and frustrating character. She inspires both terror and admoration.

But "The September Issue" fails to provide much insight into what makes her tick. And almost all of her staff is too scared shitless to offer anything more than the most general comments about her fickle directions.
So those expecting to see some real "Devil Wears Prada" worthy bitchiness will be sorely disappointed.

Documentary film crews followed her in 2007 as she and her staff created an edition of Vogue roughly the size of "war and peace."
This film treats Vogue as the high church of fashion, and Wintour is its infallible pope. She can make big name designers who actually have their names on labels shiver with her slightest comment, or an icy glare of dislike.
But we never really get a chance to get behind her armor.

Only once does she provide any hint of personal reflection and perspective. When talking about what her siblings have gone on to do, she seems slightly embarassed by the way she spends her time.
There's an intriguing cast of characters, but best of all is stylist Grace... who is the only one able to talk back to the high priestess.
But since it's from a time before the great recession, the free spending ways of those inside the high fashion bubble feel dated and alien to the real world as we know it.

The September Issue: C+