R.J. Cutler's The September Issue (FIVE STARS) slips behind the velvet curtain of Vogue magazine to get a revealing behind-the-scenes glimpse, first and foremost, at Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, arguably most powerful woman in the fashion industry. The documentary's focal point is the production cycle of the magazine's 2007 September issue, an 850-page behemoth, and what he comes away with is an illuminating human-interest piece drenched in drama and a sense of purpose. Sure, it's a kick -- not to mention gasp-producing -- to watch the perpetually-sunglassed Wintour coolly, almost routinely, dismiss this designer outfit or that $50,000 photo spread, but one is forced to admire her decisiveness, her unwavering faith in her own instincts, as well as her ability to keep a multitude of creatives, including high-maintenance celebrity photographers, stylists, and powerful (but nauseatingly kowtowing) fashion designers in check. Cutler finds emotional heft, however, in the figure of Grace Coddington, Vogue's dazzling creative director, and her constant, largely unspoken struggle with the woman who holds sway over her. As Wintour dispenses with another elaborate photo spread from a feature dear to Coddington's heart, Coddington looks squarely into the camera and says, wistfully, "It gets harder and harder to see it all thrown out. And it's very hard to go on to the next thing." Coddington's warmth, humor and soul balances out Wintour's no-nonsense arctic chill. Bonus funny moment: Flamboyant editor-at-large Andre Talley's zero-effort attempt to get exercise on the tennis courts. Bravo should give this man his own reality show. Opens Friday, Sept. 11, at area theaters, including the Landmark E Street Cinemas and the AMC Loews Georgetown 14. --Randy Shulman