Nine is based on a musical adaptation of Federico Fellini’s autobiographical film 8½ (1963). Go figure.
What next? 12 Angry Men the musical?
Apparently as a musical, Nine did OK on Broadway. But as a movie, it fails to add up to the hype, despite a dream team cast of Hollywood hotties and top Brit thespians. It’s all texture and no depth. Despite a great interpretation of the neurotic narcissist Guido, Daniel Day Lewis now joins a long list of contemporary male stars who have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they can’t sing (Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth et. al.)
The movie focuses on famous Italian film director Guido Contini (Day Lewis), who faces writer’s block while attempting to create his much anticipated ninth film. (Actually, that single sentence is the plot summary).
Yennyhoo, Guido, The Maestro retreats into fantasy and a real life dalliance with his mistress (Penélope Cruz). It all kind of falls apart and Guido chain smokes and angsts his way through the train wreck of his life, with occasional visits from his deceased mother (Sophia Loren) and memories of his childhood as a chirpy little Italian pre-pubescent perv obsessed by the local whore.
The musical set pieces seem to come out of nowhere with crashy chords and inane lyrics. Sure, there’s lots of sequins, cleavage and thighs in the chorus lines. Yes there are. My word.
Yes - it does look gorgeous and the cast gives it all they’ve got, but a lack of clear narrative and completely forgettable musical score kills it in the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment