Rent September (1987)

Ensemble Drama. - September review by Steve

Woody Allen filmed this on location in Vermont, but on completion he scrapped the lot, changed most of the cast and re-shot in a studio. It's an understated drama, set in a single location over two days in the lives of six characters caught inside an old house by a thunderstorm- which cuts the electricity.

So most of the illumination is by candles, which casts a strange, eerie, golden light. Mia Farrow plays a lonely spinster, who as a child, was charged with killing the lover of her glamorous model/celebrity mother (Elaine Stritch). The daughter's self-esteem is ceaselessly crushed under her parent's insensitive egotism.

And everyone is trapped by hostile nature within a violent, indifferent universe...  The performances of the six contrasting roles are exceptional. Dianne Wiest is such a great actor, and the conflict of her emotional need weighed against her desire to do the right thing is very affecting. 

It was savaged by the critics and is Woody's biggest box office flop. It didn't help that he had made it twice- he says he wants to do it again! His script covers familiar themes, but he approaches them a different way. It's not one of his best films, but enthusiasts of the director will find plenty of interest.