Nine – Movie Review
By: Mitchell Agostinho, Grade 12
We always see the movies that are successfully made. We see them because in the end they make it from the writer’s mind to the screen. But what about those movies that don’t quite make it in the end. Nine is about those kinds of movies. Nine is a drama/musical about director Guido Contini played by Daniel Day Lewis (in another Oscar worthy performance) trying to put together his ninth film which he calls “Italia”. The movie was adapted from the Broadway play of the same name which came from the book called “8 1/2.” This movie wasn’t bad but wasn’t the show I thought it would be.
The cast is full of super stars. Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, and Judi Dench all give wonderful performances in the complex roles they’ve taken on. While Fergie, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, and Sophia Loren give great support through out. Did you notice the gender ratio of the cast: 1: 7. The movie is basically the man and the women in his life. It covers all his relationships; from his mom to his childhood prostitute. We really see the influence they have on him through his life and why he is the way he is.
The musical numbers are the real treat in this film. Some amazing dancing and singing from people that I didn’t even know could sing. Fergie was by far the highlight of the film. Her performance of “Be Italian” was so well done and she had her character (no matter how brief it was) down pact so well. Other great numbers include “My Husband Makes Movies”, “A Call From the Vatican“, and “Cinema Italiano”. There was never a song I was bored with.
Ok this movie does have some short comings. One: You have to pay attention the entire time or else you’ll be lost very quickly. Two: The songs take over. It’s sad but when I’m watching the dancing and singing coming from these actors I forget what is happening and it takes a moment to reconnect. Three: Over cluttered. The big stars take the spotlight as they should but they leave the not as well known and the less talented in the background. Fergie was a good draw in but she’s in for a slight moment. And four: Expectation was too high. I wanted to like this movie but it was super hard considering that I just saw Up in the Air (phenomenal piece of work) and that made this seem only OK.
It’s good but I wanted it to be better. The songs really take the spotlight the whole time and it’s a musical so that’s okay but I would have liked to see more character development from some characters that would make this round off into a movie deserving all the award nominations. Over all this movie had a great musical flare but fell short because of some slight directorial problems
Acting: 4/5
Musical numbers: 4.5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Direction: 2/5
Overall: 13/20
