Nine (B or 3/4 stars)
Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, Fergie! I'd be excited if most of these people were headlining their own movie. So in the case of 'Nine', directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha), where we get them ALL at once, my anticipation has been through the roof. The film takes place in 1960's Italy & tells the story (through song) of Guido Contini (Day-Lewis), a chain-smoking, sunglass wearing, self-absorbed film director who confronts an epic mid-life crisis while trying to create his "9th" film, 'Italia'. Struggling to find harmony in both his personal & professional life, we go on a journey through his tortured mind as he tries to clear up issues with his wife, his mistress, his movie muse, his dead mother, his costume designer, a female journalist, & a whore from his youth.
Guido's movie is due to start filming. Problem is, he hasn't written a word of it, yet. Anguished, Guido juggles the increasing demands of the women in his life. After converging upon him in dreamlike fashion on his studio soundstage, we meet them individually in a flourish of spectacular fantasy sequences set to song & dance; witnessing the varying effects they all have on his Inability to make another masterpiece. Carla (Cruz), his passionate mistress, "Calls him from the Vatican" - in a sizzling musical number; wearing a pink negligee & swinging from ropes (yowza!). Lilli (Dench), his costume designer & confidante, is trying to keep his head intact. Saraghina (Fergie, of The Black Eyed Peas), a prostitute from his childhood, lets us know what it's like to "Be Italian".
Vogue journalist Stephanie (Hudson) tries wooing him to bed with her own seductive showstopper, "Cinema Italiano". Mama (a regal Sophia Loren) offers enduring love to Guido while singing him a ghostly lullaby, "Guarda La Luna". His longtime Swedish film muse, Claudia (Kidman), sings "Unusual Way"; trying to convince Guido that through her entire career (which he built), that he means more to her than he'll ever know. And at the PINNACLE of his crisis is his beautiful, neglected wife, Luisa (Cotillard). Lonely (with and) without him, her aching rendition of "My Husband Makes Movies" is something to see (it's so good - I was nearly moved to tears). And so, who, if anyone, can drag Guido out of his creative block? Will he be able to recover from his breakdown & produce his anticipated 9th film?
The weakest aspect of 'Nine' is it's editing; poor choices are made in several numbers. And while screenwriters - including the late, great Anthony Minghella - provide interesting themes of morality, the public vs. the private, & carnal lust ... the movie also lacks some narrative propulsion. Director Rob Marshall gives us a polished production: frivolous, sexy, & surreal. But without that narrative drive, the proceedings felt too light (particularly with the secondary characters). The core of the film is the relationship btwn. Guido & Luisa -- that's what will linger with you. The framing, colors, angles, & softness of Dion Beebe's cinematography (Oscar winner for Marshall's Memoirs of a Geisha) is stunning. The sets are great; recalling venues of 1965 Rome. And Colleen Atwood's costumes are beautiful.
Daniel Day-Lewis proves that along with his dramatic talent, he can also hold a note (& with a stellar Italian accent). But I couldn't summon sympathy for his adulterous Guido. Fergie knocked-me out with her commanding voice & presence. Kate Hudson's character is entirely superfluous, but it's nice to see her in a substantial motion picture, & not another Bride Wars. I didn't know what to expect from Penelope Cruz, but she actually gives a very good performance. She delights as Guido's mistress ("I'll be waiting with my legs open"). And her character goes down a dark path that I hadn't anticipated -- I actually felt for her. Judi Dench enlivens the film with her humor, & "Folies Bergere"; yep, she can sing, too! Nicole Kidman embodies the statuesque movie star, perfectly. I liked her haunting song. But I don't think she's in the film long enough to warrant the weightiness of said song (another script issue). I really wanted to see more of her; given what she did give us in such a short time. And best of the lot is the sublime Marion Cotillard. She brings a quiet, but steely intensity as Guido's cheated-upon wife, Luisa. Misty-eyed, vulnerable, & damaged by his lies, she lays into him about his indiscretions with "Take It All". She's the diamond in this hit-&-miss film.
'Nine' is not a perfect 10. It's not even an 8 1/2 (title of the 1963 film this is based on), or a 9. More like a 7. It doesn't delve deep enough into the relationships to justify the emotional hoopla revolving around Guido. 'Nine' has several winning moments, but it all doesn't add up. And it won't be everyone's cup of tea - musicals demand suspension of belief as the story plays out in song. But imperfections aside, I did enjoy enough parts of this movie to give it a mild thumbs up. It's flawed, yes; but also glamorous & provocative (not as much as Chicago, but more introspective). I loved taking a look back at the chic, dreamlike spectacle of dolce vita Rome, circa 1965. Exceptionally crafted, wonderfully performed, but flat (in spots), & erratically edited, 'Nine' will still go down as one of my guilty pleasures.
Guido's movie is due to start filming. Problem is, he hasn't written a word of it, yet. Anguished, Guido juggles the increasing demands of the women in his life. After converging upon him in dreamlike fashion on his studio soundstage, we meet them individually in a flourish of spectacular fantasy sequences set to song & dance; witnessing the varying effects they all have on his Inability to make another masterpiece. Carla (Cruz), his passionate mistress, "Calls him from the Vatican" - in a sizzling musical number; wearing a pink negligee & swinging from ropes (yowza!). Lilli (Dench), his costume designer & confidante, is trying to keep his head intact. Saraghina (Fergie, of The Black Eyed Peas), a prostitute from his childhood, lets us know what it's like to "Be Italian".
Vogue journalist Stephanie (Hudson) tries wooing him to bed with her own seductive showstopper, "Cinema Italiano". Mama (a regal Sophia Loren) offers enduring love to Guido while singing him a ghostly lullaby, "Guarda La Luna". His longtime Swedish film muse, Claudia (Kidman), sings "Unusual Way"; trying to convince Guido that through her entire career (which he built), that he means more to her than he'll ever know. And at the PINNACLE of his crisis is his beautiful, neglected wife, Luisa (Cotillard). Lonely (with and) without him, her aching rendition of "My Husband Makes Movies" is something to see (it's so good - I was nearly moved to tears). And so, who, if anyone, can drag Guido out of his creative block? Will he be able to recover from his breakdown & produce his anticipated 9th film?
The weakest aspect of 'Nine' is it's editing; poor choices are made in several numbers. And while screenwriters - including the late, great Anthony Minghella - provide interesting themes of morality, the public vs. the private, & carnal lust ... the movie also lacks some narrative propulsion. Director Rob Marshall gives us a polished production: frivolous, sexy, & surreal. But without that narrative drive, the proceedings felt too light (particularly with the secondary characters). The core of the film is the relationship btwn. Guido & Luisa -- that's what will linger with you. The framing, colors, angles, & softness of Dion Beebe's cinematography (Oscar winner for Marshall's Memoirs of a Geisha) is stunning. The sets are great; recalling venues of 1965 Rome. And Colleen Atwood's costumes are beautiful.
Daniel Day-Lewis proves that along with his dramatic talent, he can also hold a note (& with a stellar Italian accent). But I couldn't summon sympathy for his adulterous Guido. Fergie knocked-me out with her commanding voice & presence. Kate Hudson's character is entirely superfluous, but it's nice to see her in a substantial motion picture, & not another Bride Wars. I didn't know what to expect from Penelope Cruz, but she actually gives a very good performance. She delights as Guido's mistress ("I'll be waiting with my legs open"). And her character goes down a dark path that I hadn't anticipated -- I actually felt for her. Judi Dench enlivens the film with her humor, & "Folies Bergere"; yep, she can sing, too! Nicole Kidman embodies the statuesque movie star, perfectly. I liked her haunting song. But I don't think she's in the film long enough to warrant the weightiness of said song (another script issue). I really wanted to see more of her; given what she did give us in such a short time. And best of the lot is the sublime Marion Cotillard. She brings a quiet, but steely intensity as Guido's cheated-upon wife, Luisa. Misty-eyed, vulnerable, & damaged by his lies, she lays into him about his indiscretions with "Take It All". She's the diamond in this hit-&-miss film.
'Nine' is not a perfect 10. It's not even an 8 1/2 (title of the 1963 film this is based on), or a 9. More like a 7. It doesn't delve deep enough into the relationships to justify the emotional hoopla revolving around Guido. 'Nine' has several winning moments, but it all doesn't add up. And it won't be everyone's cup of tea - musicals demand suspension of belief as the story plays out in song. But imperfections aside, I did enjoy enough parts of this movie to give it a mild thumbs up. It's flawed, yes; but also glamorous & provocative (not as much as Chicago, but more introspective). I loved taking a look back at the chic, dreamlike spectacle of dolce vita Rome, circa 1965. Exceptionally crafted, wonderfully performed, but flat (in spots), & erratically edited, 'Nine' will still go down as one of my guilty pleasures.