Cast
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Daniel Day-Lewis
as Guido Contini
Marion Cotillard
as Luisa Contini
Penélope Cruz
as Carla
Nicole Kidman
as Claudia
Judi Dench
as Lilli
Sophia Loren
as Mamma
Kate Hudson
as Stephanie
Fergie
as Saraghina
Ricky Tognazzi
as Dante
Enzo Cilenti
as Leopardi
Giuseppe Cederna
as Fausto
Elio Germano
as Pierpaolo
Andrea Di Stefano
as Benito
Roberto Nobile
as Jaconelli
Amy Bailey
as Female Dancer
Crew
Director
- Rob Marshall
Producer
- Marc Platt
- Harvey Weinstein
- John DeLuca
- Rob Marshall
Reviews
Wuchak
***A famous director loses his inspiration and seeks aid from the various women in his life***
Released in 2009, “Nine” is a drama/musical about a famous Italian director in 1965 (Daniel Day-Lewis) who loses his inspiration, but its urgent he gets it back because his ninth movie is set to start shooting in ten days and he doesn’t even have a script. He turns to the several women in his life for succor: his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penélope Cruz), his costume designer (Judi Dench), his star actress (Nicole Kidman), his mother (Sophia Loren), a fashion journalist (Kate Hudson) and a prostitute from his boyhood (Fergie).
This is an adaptation of the 1982 Broadway musical, also dubbed “Nine,” which itself was based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical 1963 film “8½.” It’s very similar to director Rob Marshall’s “Chicago” (2002), but with a different story, cast and location (Rome and points nearby).
During the first half I wasn’t so sure about the story, but I eventually found myself absorbed into the life of the tormented director and his mid-life crisis. His unfaithfulness to his beautiful wife, Luisa (Cotillard), is off-putting of course, but maybe we should have mercy for a man who has scores of gorgeous women offering themselves to him practically every day. It helps that he WANTS to be free from his adulteries and be true to Luisa.
Yet I have a hard time picturing Guido (Day-Lewis) seeking the amorous attentions of Carla (Cruz) above Luisa. Carla is decent, as far as all-around physical beauty goes, but Luisa has better curves. Both of the characters’ have imaginative dance sequences, but Luisa comes out on top even though her routine is less tantalizing.
Day-Lewis is fascinating as the guilt-stricken director who hasn’t let his fame go to his head. When he asks a cleric for advice about God and his troubles, the vicar responds: “Imagination is God’s garden, don’t let the devil play in it.”
I generally don’t favor musicals where the characters suddenly jump into song & dance while walking at the park or eating dinner. My wife & I sometimes poke fun of these kinds of musicals by mimicking them while doing mundane activities. For me, musicals only work, generally speaking, when the singing/dancing sequences are legitimate, like a performance at a nightclub or one's imagination, both of which were used in "Chicago." Of course it’s more challenging and takes more creativity to incorporate song & dance routines in this manner and keep the movie seamless & realistic. “Nine” does this.
The film runs 1 hour, 58 minutes and was shot in Italy and England.
GRADE: B
Dec 13, 2018
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Nine examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Rob Marshall brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2009, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Nine took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $80.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 169 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The costume department created over 484 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 2009, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Nine shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Memories of a Rainy Day, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Nine offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Dude, Where's My Car? and Wayne's World explore similar territory, Nine stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 3, 2009
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Budget: $80,000,000
- Revenue: $53,825,515
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