Dvd

Nine

Nine

2009

Director Rob Marshall (Chicago) helms a musical re-telling of Fellini's semi-autobiographical 8½. It tells the story of a famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) who confronts a mid-life crisis of creative and personal problems.

Guido must balance the many women in his life, including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the prostitute from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren).

The original 1982 Broadway production of Nine, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical. Read a great interview between Marion Cotillard & Penelope Cruz at InterviewMagazine.com.

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, Stacy Ferguson

Directed by Rob Marshall ('Chicago', 'Memoirs of a Geisha')

Written by Michael Tolkin, Anthony Minghella (based on the original film by Federico Fellini)

Re-make, Musical, Drama | 1hr 59mins | Rated (M) | contains sexual references | Origin: USA

Flicks review

  • Adapted from one of surrealist cinema’s most iconic and seminal pieces, Fellini’s 8 1/2, Nine plays more like an elaborate stage piece then it does a film. While this allows for a few stunning scenes, the film comes off – to use musical lingo – a touch flat, both surprising and disappointing given the talent assembled.

    The heart of the piece is, of course, the song and dance numbers. While each is played out with dazzlingly glamourous production design and intricate choreography, none of the songs are catchy or powerful enough to stand on their own. The cast is willing but the combination of their star power and the technical flash feels more like covering the music’s weaknesses rather than enhancing its qualities.

    On top of this, the narrative feels disjointed. While this allows for variety from one number to the next, it also means you are watching a string of tenuously related scenes rather than a story progressing and building, robbing the work of an emotional core.

    It’s still enjoyable watching the bona fide A-listers, particularly Day-Lewis, Cruz and Cotillard, in a different setting from the norm but anyone expecting Nine to live up to its award season hype might be let down.

    By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz

 Our Rating       2

The Peoples voice

  • DANIEL DAY-LEWIS

     5

    I havent watched the movie yet but I just know it will be amazing because Daniel Day-Lewis turns everything to gold with one touch....

    By Negin

  • It was bad

     1

    The person behind us summed it up as "The Ice-cream was better". I don't see how anyone could give this 5 stars.

    By Aaron

  • Appalling

    I thought this movie was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. This is the only movie I have seen where I was tempted to leave. It was boring, the costumes were lack lustre, the music was the same the whole way through, the lyrics sucked. It was trite, and it was an insult to the intelligence of the audience - they think they can just get these big stars and slap together some dance routines and have no real script- the singing was sometimes horrible. And they expect audiences to suck that up. I actually wondered if it was some kind of farce or parody and that I didnt get the joke.

    By Jules

  •  4

    I loved the scenery of italy, the clothes & the music but as for the story... I've seen better but it was still good. Personally I would've preferred a different ending but it was quite a good movie. If you liked Moulin Rouge you'll probably like this.

    By andria

  • It will blow your mind off!

     5

    I can't believe the negative critics! This is one of the best movies I have seen, absolutely fabulous. Awesome performances and songs, the cinematography is spectacular and the athmosphere of Rome in the 50's is totally enjoyable. I loved it and I will see it again and again and again...

    By Angela

  • Very Very Sexy

     5

    Extraordinary, poignant, full of flavour and very, very sexy. This film is very artistic and wonderfully presented, both the cast and the selection of music. It gives a particular sense of atmosphere. The scenes of Italy were very delicate and beautiful. This film is fast paced and full of emotional character.

    By Jackie

  • Entertainment

     4

    There were some truly memorable parts of this movie and if you remember that its a fantasy, you will enjoy it. The scenery of Italy was breath-taking. I enjoyed it - could see it again. Probably a bit like Moulin Rouge - some people liked it others hated it. A great way to spend a rainy morning in Wellington

    By Rob B

  • OSCAR ANYONE?

     5

    IF THEY DONT WIN AT LEAST 5 OSCARS THEN I WILL EAT MY WORDS!
    I REAL COMPETITOR ALONG WITH LOVELY BONES!

    By Lafaele Mapusua - Faitotoa

 Collective Voice    0000000000004.50

Your review has been posted, you have spoken, and for that we thank you. – Ed.

Tell us all that is right or wrong with this flick:

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Press Reviews

  • Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

    Nine is just plain adrift in its own lack of necessity.
    Click to read the full review

  • Empire Magazine (UK)

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    Though slightly marred by a clunky structure and a lack of truly catchy tunes, Nine’s wall-to-wall first-rate performances from its stellar cast (especially Cotillard) add a touch of class.
    Click to read the full review

  • Hollywood Reporter

    The disappointments here are many, from a starry cast the film ill-uses to flat musical numbers that never fully integrate into the dramatic story. The only easy prediction is that Nine is not going to revive the slumbering musical-film genre.
    Click to read the full review

  • NZ Herald (Francesca Rudkin)

    3 3 out of 5 stars

    Looks fantastic but is emotionally underwhelming.
    Click to read the full review

  • Otago Daily Times (Christine Powley)

    3 3 out of 5 stars

    Daniel Day Lewis takes the cliché of the philandering Italian momma's boy, shows the charm and then savagely exposes the hollow core.
    Click to read the full review

  • Rolling Stone (USA)

    Rob Marshall's flawed but frequently dazzling Nine is a hot-blooded musical fantasia full of song, dance, raging emotion and simmering sexuality.
    Click to read the full review

  • Variety (USA)

    Sophisticated, sexy and stylishly decked out, Rob Marshall's disciplined, tightly focused film impresses and amuses.
    Click to read the full review

  • ViewAuckland.co.nz (Matt Turner)

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    Ultimately, the only problem with the film is that the songs themselves aren't especially memorable, although there's a chance you'll come out humming along to Fergie's “Be Italian.”
    Click to read the full review

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