The Last September
In 1920s Ireland, an elderly couple reside over a tired country estate. Living with them are their high-spirited niece, their Oxford student nephew, and married house guests, who are trying to cover up that they are presently homeless. The niece enjoys romantic frolics with a soldier and a hidden guerrilla fighter. All of the principals are thrown into turmoil when one more guest arrives with considerable wit and unwanted advice.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the summer of 1921, in a grand country house in County Clare, Ireland, the lives of the guests and residents become entangled against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War. The elegant world of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy is disrupted by political turmoil and personal desires, leading to a dramatic confrontation of loyalties and passions.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed to positive reviews, with praise often directed at the performances and the atmospheric portrayal of a bygone era. Some critics found the plot somewhat melodramatic, but the overall sentiment recognized its artistic merits and historical setting.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for strong performances by its veteran cast, particularly Maggie Smith.
- Appreciated for its atmospheric depiction of a historical period and sense of impending change.
- Some found the narrative pacing slow and the dramatic elements occasionally overwrought.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's beautiful cinematography and the compelling acting, with many appreciating the historical context and the tragic undertones of the story. Some viewers felt the plot could have been more engaging.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Bowen, which was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction.
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