For months I have witnessed a marketing blitz that showcased an elaborate cast, a renowned director and some exotic looking dance sequences and music. The movie is Nine, based off the Broadway play by the same name, and it isn't hurting from its many astonishing pre-release qualities: stacked cast, known story, addicting music and promise of sex and beauty. But for all the hype that surrounded the film, I have to admit that I sit here now a bit disappointed with the final result.
For starters, the entire cast is only shown together in two instances, the beginning and end. They are musical numbers and really only feature a few seconds of collaborative effort. Never do all the voices combine to form one, and never do any two come together for a duet. It is a fact that I wasn't aware of before entering the theatre and one that disappointed me.
The film opens up with Daniel Day-Lewis, the leading star and lone male, who gives another flawless performance- this time in the form of writer/director Guido Contini. Contini has ten days to create a story, script, and setting for his latest film, a highly publicized return for the famed director whose last two projects have 'flopped.' The opening number features Day-Lewis and the rest of the cast, barely introducing each of the leading ladies one by one by one. It was an interesting opening, one that definitely focused the film on the music and dance, giving me little reason to expect more from the adaption.
From there, we are taken through the story as each female is introduced again, this time through the work of a solo number. Each track is showcased by continuously cutting back and forth between the story and the music, giving it a stage to life breakdown. For some numbers it works perfectly; for others, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Marion Cotillard is easily the best female in the film, playing Contini's wife Luisa. Her voice rivals that of Nicole Kidman, and her songs are addicting to the core. She is the lone actress who gets two tracks all to herself, and for good reason. Her character is the driving force of the film, and her relationship with Contini is the center piece of the story, affecting more than just her own course of action. As a result, she is a pivotal character, one that demands your attention (and luckily gets it thanks to Cotillard).
Kate Hudson gets the award for most impressive turn, as her dance moves and voice are both unexpected. She plays a reporter from Vogue, and though she is rarely featured in the film, her time on screen is marvelously enchanting; I quickly became intoxicated with her energy and sex appeal. She was casted perfectly for her part, and holds her own against the other power players in the cast.
Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Fergie and Penelope Cruz all contribute to the film as well, each getting a single track and anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes of on-screen time. Their involvement is monumental to the story itself, though they are rarely missed when not appearing in physical form.
My biggest gripe about the film has to do with its cliché story and cookie-cutter approach. Consistently going back and forth between solo track and story is understandable in terms of the characters and their involvement with the film; however, carrying such a heavy cast and never experimenting with them all together is an unfortunate disappointment to say the least.
On the other hand, Nine features some impressive dance sequences, amazing cinematography, and worthwhile Italy set pieces. A sand and chair routine by Fergie, along with the hot runway strut by Hudson, gave the film its true life; though the base layer was, and always will be, the phenomenal work of Daniel Day-Lewis.
Ladies, you will like many more aspects of this one than the men, but the laced sexual presence is sure to keep the men interested- if not in the story, in the on-screen music videos.
