September Issue’s Cutler No Longer a ‘Fabulous Nobody’ in the Fiction Film World

Errol Morris has done it. Even Michael Moore gave it a shot back in the 90s. Now another documentary filmmaker is transitioning into glitzy world of fiction flicks. Documentarian R.J. Cutler has signed on to direct an adaptation of former fashion editor Lee Tulloch’s Fabulous Nobodies. This project will be the first scripted feature for the filmmaker whose resume includes mostly documentary films and a handful of reality television series. The story takes place in the 80’s and centers on superficial fashionista Reality Nirvana Tuttle, a doorgirl to one of Manhattan’s hottest nightclubs. The territory won’t be too unfamiliar for the director. The September Issue, Cutler’s 2009 documentary about Vogue editor Anna Wintour was highly praised at Sundance where it appealed to everyone, not just the fashion obsessed. Colac Pictures is backing the film which Cutler will also produce.

Gist: Based on the novel by Lee Tulloch, the satire parodies hip young New Yorkers like Reality Nirvana Tuttle, whose lives revolve around superficialities–wearing the right outfits, patronizing the in clubs, socializing with the right people and becoming “fabulous.” To Reality, fashion is sublime. She names each of her “frocks” and sports a tattoo of the Chanel logo. As the “doorwhore” at a trendy nightclub called Less Is More, she haughtily decides who is garbed bizarrely enough to merit admittance. Outrageous ’60s chic usually wins approval. When she isn’t working or scheming to get herself into Frenzee magazine, Reality cavorts with an editor of Perfect Woman who slavishly emulates the gamin look of Audrey Hepburn, and with a transvestite who owns a dog named Cristobal Balenciaga.

Worth Noting: Cutler began his film career with a bang. The first film he produced, a behind the scenes look into the Clinton Campaign The War Room, was nominated for a best documentary Oscar back in 1994. Cutler has since revisited the world of politics, as producer of the less known doc ‘Hick’ Town, following the mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper as his city prepared to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Do We Care?: In the past few years we’ve seen the continued success of The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City and Confessions of a Shopaholic after they were adapted for the screen. All are bestsellers turned chick flicks revolving around fashion about young(ish) women trying to make it in Manhattan. This film will probably score a cast of young hot up-and-comers and we have no doubt that women will drag their dates to go see it opening weekend. But the question remains, will it be any good? Cutler’s documentaries have an objective and authentic vibe about them. He’s done a good job of showing parts of the fashion and political worlds which we would have otherwise not been able to experience. Hopefully he can do the same when he takes us behind the velvet ropes of the exclusive New York Social Scene of the 1980s.