I've seen a bit of praise for September Says already, and I can understand some of it. Co-written by Daisy Johnson and Ariane Labed, with Labed also taking on feature directing for the first time, this is a dark and interesting psychological drama. I've also seen some people refer to this as unique though, and that just isn't correct. I actually defy any seasoned film fan to start watching September Says and not soon figure out where it is going to end up, generally speaking.
Rakhee Thakrar is a mother, Sheela, and our young leads are July (Mia Tharia) and September (Pascale Kann). July often takes part in a game called September Says, which will be familiar to anyone who has ever played Simon Says. Unfortunately, despite September often trying to support and help July, there are times when a game of September Says can quickly turn dark and dangerous. Oh, they're also on holiday in Ireland, which allows them to feel more like outsiders struggling to fit in with those around them.
Although this could go in a multitude of different directions, allowing it to move from drama into something more genre-heavy, Labed isn't interested in that. That's fine, of course, and she can choose to take her own movie in whatever direction she wants. It's ultimately disappointing though, mainly because it soon becomes clear that neither Labed nor Johnson have anything new or interesting to say. Movies don't have to say anything new or interesting, but that harms a movie when there's not much else to appreciate.
The main performances are good, although the cast sometimes struggle with the idea of expressing themselves within their own little bubble. Thakrar, for example, is playing an interesting and complex figure, but there are only one or two scenes that help to make her more than just a bundle of quirks and nerves. Tharia and Kann work really well together, despite being weighed down by material that thinks it is being much more interesting and clever than it actually is.
What could have been an interesting exploration of the harm that loved ones can do to one another, or just a look at the ups and downs of any sibling/friend relationship, ends up being a waste of time, sadly. There's not enough substance to flesh it out, but it also lacks the artistry to make it the kind of viewing experience that you can at least appreciate for the aesthetic while everyone dances around the slim narrative.
Decent. Occasionally interesting. Dark. I already know that some will appreciate this a bit more than I did, and I can understand that. I still cannot view it as anything unique though, and the thing that stops it from being unique is one important aspect that is almost completely mishandled throughout.
5/10
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