Last September, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -1/2

This historical drama chronicles the life of young Lois (Keeley Hawes), whose days are filled with tennis, dancing with local soldiers, and long walks in the woods. Yet while Lois seems oblivious to the world around her, her Anglo-Irish heritage could have a great affect on her future. After settling in the country many generations before, her people are slowly being run out of Ireland. British soldiers are sent to keep the situation in order, but Irish guerillas do what they can to drive the English away. Lois becomes entangled in a love triangle with one of the Irish guerrillas and an English soldier, much to her familys dismay. While their ancestry is a mix of English and Irish, the family considers themselves Irish and wonders why she involves herself with this English soldier. A likable young woman, Lois energy and playfulness endear her to everyone around her. The outstanding cinematography takes full advantage of the stunning Irish scenery. However, the story often veers off-course as the purpose of extraneous characters becomes unclear. The struggle to mesh all of the different characters into the story leads to its biggest problem. Combined with its limited release, the muddled story should keep THE LAST SEPTEMBER from a big take at the box office.

Much of the films setting involves racial tensions in 1920s Ireland, seen even today in the modern British and Irish relations. But in the 20s, the mixed heritage Anglo-Irish living in the country only added to the tension. Originally descended from wealthy English landowners in Ireland, they eventually intermarried with the Irish, and since they lived in Ireland, considered themselves Irish. But even though Ireland was the only home they ever knew, the pure Irish still wanted them out. This historical bias sets the backdrop of tension in the story, and while not utilized as effectively as it could be, does highlight similar racial tensions today. Therefore, the story provides instructive historical insight as we see hate-filled people fight against one another. Our hope is that Christian love would overcome these barriers and extend to people of all races and heritage. Beyond the images of racial prejudice, one scene of female breast nudity occurs as a couple makes a failed attempt to have sex. One moderate crudity and two regular profanities slightly mar the dialogue, but one sexually explicit and gratuitous scene of breast nudity prevents Preview from giving THE LAST SEPTEMBER a positive recommendation.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: TriMark Pictures, 2644 30th St., Santa Monica, CA 90405-3009