Sony Pictures | 2009 | 119 mins. | Rated PG-13
An adaptation of the Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit Tony winning stage musical, Nine seemed like a sure-fire hit. Directed by Rob Marshall, who steered Chicago to a Best Picture Oscar in 2002;. Packed with kinetic choreography (by Marshall himself), melodic songs, and a substantive story based on the classic 1963 Federico Fellini film, 8-1/2, Nine seemed destined for critical and box office success. Yet despite a veritable who’s who of Hollywood stars—including Daniel Day Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Stacy Ferguson (better known as pop star Fergie), Sophia Loren and Judi Dench—the film received mixed reviews and a box office take considerably less than the $80 million budget.
Set in 1965, Daniel Day-Lewis plays Guido Contini, one of Italy’s most respected directors. The press is eager to know more about his latest film, due to start shooting in a matter of days. All that is known is it is going to be titled Italia. While that sounds important and appropriate for a man of Contini’s stature, the director’s biggest problem is summed up by his longtime costume designer, Lilli La Fleur (Judi Dench): “Have you written a word of the script yet?” No matter, she’s already working on the costumes. At the same time, sets are being built, and the casting process is underway. Contini tries to hide from his anxious producer (Ricky Tognazzi) as the production revs up around him. Contini’s growing anxiety isn’t helped by a hounding press corps that reminds him at every turn that his last two films were flops.
Needing inspiration, Guido turns to the woman in his life, both past and present, for guidance. Through scenes that that lead to musical numbers and flashbacks, we encounter the demons that are plaguing this brilliant, yet misguided, director. The aforementioned Lilli La Fleur is perhaps the most stabilizing influence. Older, she’s willing to listen, and attempts to keep him grounded. On the flip side is his mistress Carla (Penélope Cruz), a woman cheating on her husband because she has fallen in love with Guido and wants to make it big in his films. Carla´s musical number features her dancing atop a gigantic mirror wearing a corset and stockings that are revealing enough to make any man puddy in her hands.
It’s easy to see why the flashbacks have Guido on the verge of a nervous breakdown. These are not nice memories—we see him abused in a church, and an encounter with a prostitute named Saraghina (Fergie). Her number, “Be Italian,” is the film´s most memorable, and features numerous backup dancers getting really creative with chairs, sand and tambourines. He then meets an American fashion journalist named Stephanie (Kate Hudson), who works to seduce him and leaves him a key to her hotel room. Stephanie sings “Cinema Italiano,” which gives Hudson a chance to show off everything she has to offer, both physically and vocally.
Guido’s mother (Sophia Loren) is dead, but even she turns up in flashbacks to check on her beloved son. She still holds a strange sort of power over him, as does his favorite leading lady, and the star of Italia, Claudia Jenssen (Nicole Kidman). Even though he doesn’t have a script, he feels he can make it through the film as long as he has his leading lady. He is shocked to discover an emptiness toward his work so intense, that she leaves the production.
Eventually Guido and his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), laying everything out. It becomes clear that the film isn’t working out because of other issues in his life. However, the way Nine ends is a bit perplexing. It indirectly suggests that leaving a difficult situation to work itself out might be the best solution, especially if the other issues in your life are significant enough to benefit from this decision. I won´t give much more detail, but just know that it might not be the ending you were expecting.
The biggest hurdle Nine couldn’t overcome, is that Yeston’s music and lyrics don’t tell a particularly compelling story for the screen. Though I never saw Nine on Broadway, I imagine there is an energy and excitement on stage that doesn’t translate on the screen. Further, the meandering script by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella often feels like it was thrown together to act as filler between the musical numbers.
The 1080p High Definition 2.40:1 image has no noticeable grain. The colors are superb, especially during the musical numbers. Lighting enhances rather dominates, and generates some extremely good contrast with the often quick edits and creative cinematography. Each character seems to have his or her moment in the spotlight, and while some stick out more than others, all are vivid and sharp. Bright colors sparkle often but do not distract, while darks are prevalent enough to be noticed but do not overpower.
The film´s English 5.1 DTS-High Definition Master Audio track is very impressive. It goes without saying that the musical numbers come through with leaping vocal tones and full bodied instruments, creating a package that, when coupled with the visuals, is occasionally breathtaking. Background noise also has its place, whether or not it´s a cigarette lighter, wave crashing on the beach or a sports car´s engine. I´d urge you to watch the Blu-ray a few notches above what might be ideal for added emphasis and atmosphere.
Nine has a solid set of special features:
• Audio Commentary – Director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca sit down for an informative commentary that touches all the bases. The two discuss the enormous set where the bulk of the numbers were filmed, praise the cast and its steadfast commitment, note some differences between the original stage musical and its screen adaptation, analyze the plot and characters, and address the challenges of mounting a musical and making it palatable for today’s audiences.
• Featurette: “The Incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis” (HD, 5 minutes) – Marshall and the film’s female stars talk about the actor’s magnetism and artistic discipline, while Day-Lewis himself discusses the fun he had making the movie and how he enjoyed expressing himself through music.
• Featurette: “The Women of Nine” (HD, 11 minutes) – Rehearsal footage and interviews highlight this piece in which Marshall and his actresses recall how they were cast, the chances they took, and the on-set camaraderie that made Nine such an exhilarating experience for all involved.
• Featurette: “Director Rob Marshall” (HD, 6 minutes) –Day-Lewis describes the “world of mutual respect” Marshall creates on set, while Dench says that Marshall “directs by stealth.” Clips of the director in action provide a feel for his style.
• Featurette: “Behind the Look of Nine” (HD, 8 minutes) – A look at the film’s lighting, set design, and costume design.
• Featurette: “The Dancers of Nine” (HD, 5 minutes) – This brief featurette takes us through the audition process and into rehearsal sessions for the chorus dancers, many of whom offer their perspective on the Nine experience.
• Featurette: “The Choreography of ‘Be Italian'” (HD, 4 minutes) – Fergie recalls the exhilaration of shooting this pivotal number and how the luxury of two months of rehearsal time allowed her and her fellow dancers to strive for perfection. Marshall lauds “fearless Fergie” for her hard work, and lengthy rehearsal look-ins allow us to better appreciate the number’s intricacies.
• Featurette: “Making ‘Cinema Italiano'” (SD, 3 minutes) – Hudson talks about gaining the confidence to perform such a tongue-twisting, frenetic song, and how it differs from the morose music she pens herself.
• Featurette: “The Choreography of ‘Cinema Italiano'” (HD, 9 minutes) – From initial run-throughs to tech rehearsals to shooting, this piece examines the “controlled abandon” that is ‘Cinema Italiano.’ Marshall discusses his desire to salute the ’60s, while Hudson expresses her respect for her fellow dancers and the joy and satisfaction the experience gave her.
• Music Videos (SD) – The highlight here is Kate Hudson belting out ‘Cinema Italiano.’ Videos for ‘Take It All’ featuring Marion Cotillard and ‘Unusual Way,’ with Griffith Frank subbing for Nicole Kidman are also included.
• “Sophia Loren Remembers Cinecitta Studios” (HD, 13 minutes) – The legendary 75-year-old actress recalls her early experiences in the Italian movie industry, beginning with her work as an extra on the mammoth 1951 American production, Quo Vadis, for director Mervyn LeRoy. She also shares her memories of Vittorio De Sica, who cast her in her first real part, and Federico Fellini.
• “Screen Actors Guild Q&A” (HD, 43 minutes) – Day-Lewis, Kidman, Hudson, Dench, Cruz, and Cotillard headline this panel discussion that features an array of painfully lightweight questions, but still manages to maintain interest, thanks to the stars’ vibrant personalities.
• movieIQ – Facts, trivia, cast listings, and bios can be accessed on screen while you watch the movie.
• BD-Live – This link takes you to Sony’s online portal, where you can view trailers, and manage your download info and profile.
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