Dressed to the nines

Oh to be Italian.

Beautifully staged and set in stunning 1960’s Italy, and visually breathtaking from the opening scene to its finale, Nine is a film that shouldn’t be missed.

Nine follows the story of Guido Contini, an aging film director who is struggling to find the inspiration to write the script for his next film after his last couple of flops. His biggest problem is the start of shooting is drawing nearer and the pressure is mounting on him to produce something great. In his search to find inspiration he turns to the seven women in his life from his mistress to his muse, who all sing their hearts out for him in their own cleverly staged musical numbers.



This talented cast of Oscar winners is led by Daniel Day Lewis as Guido, with a rather convincing Italian accent I have to say. His portrayal of the conflicted director is suitably tormented; he is egotistical and yet plagued by self doubt and is suffering not just artistically but with his personal life as well. His wife Luisa, played by Marion Cotillard, is a former actress and supports his creative process but we see her struggle with her love for him and her frustration at his constant unfaithfulness. Marion truly shines in this role, she is charming and vulnerable but also strong and in no way a victim of his rogue-ish behaviour. The only actress to perform two solo songs, her first ‘My Husband Makes Movies’ is intimately staged and moving as she lets us in on her life as the wife of a famous director devoted to his craft more than his wife. Her second musical number, the burlesque inspired ‘Take it all’ which reclaims her independence is fantastic and completely spellbinding.

Portraying his mistress Carla, Penelope Cruz has the most sultry, sexy number of them all and is funny and earthy in her role as the married woman who is risking her relationship over her love for Guido. Their scenes together are sweet and passionate, although his genuine affection for her is conflicted by his loyalty to his wife.

As Lili, Guido’s costume designer and confidante Judy Dench is perfectly cast and at her witty and sardonic best. Her ‘Folies Bergere’ number is gorgeous and she performs with such joy and grace, its a pleasure to watch. The Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie is also strikingly good as the prostitute from his childhood, her gutsy performance of ‘Be Italian’ is red hot and I just loved the creative use of sand in her number.

Adding a bouncy fresh energy is Kate Hudson as an American reporter from Vogue with a penchant for trying to seduce Guido. Her performance of the catchy ‘Cinema Italiano’ is peppy and upbeat complete with hot sixties mod dancers and eye-catching silver outfits.

Neither Nicole Kidman as his muse or Sophia Loren as his deceased mother have much screen time but both are wonderful in their roles. Nicole is brilliant as his ‘on a pedestal’ muse, suitably icy and out of his reach. As his firm but warm Mamma, Sophia is radiant and her presence more than holds its own on screen.

Come to think of it I wanted to see more of all the ladies on screen, they were all brilliant and their re-appearance in the final scene was an excellent idea.

Director and Choreographer Rob Marshall has done a wonderful job of bringing Guido’s worlds (both real and imagined) to life. He really understands how to translate musicals for the screen and give them a theatrical but still cinematic appeal. Stylistically this film is somewhat similar to Chicago in the way it interweaves the songs and scenes but the comparisons end there.

With beautiful cinematography and design, brilliant performances and clever editing, Nine is a great film which will make you wish you could whisk yourself away to Italy the moment you leave the theatre. After all, what could be better in life than to be Italian?

Evelyn Ebrey, 2 February 2010