The Last September

(Trimark)

Directing from novelist John Banville's adaptation of Elizabeth Bowen's 1929 novel, first-timer Deborah Warner compresses the witty tragedy of vanity crushed by the forces of history and social mediocrity into a picturesque, pat, pointless episode of Masterpiece Theatre. Those enjoying the fine weather at the estate of Anglo-Irish aristocrats Richard (Michael Gambon) and Myra (Maggie Smith) Naylor in County Cork in 1920 take little notice of the ongoing Irish Rebellion. A British officer, Captain Colthurst (David Tennant), falls in love with the Naylors' 19-year-old, fancy-free niece, Lois Farquar (Keeley Hawes), but she's more interested in renewing acquaintances with childhood pal Peter Connolly (Gary Lydon), a feral Fenian hiding out at the old local mill. The literally bodice-ripping details of the meetings between Lois and Peter are among the filmmakers' more regrettable inventions. Fiona Shaw as Marda Norton, a visiting guest, adds a note of arch elegance, but it's too little too late.