You kill a Movie by talking about it.
This is the opening line of "Nine", and yet I'm going to attempt to write about the film without doing this exact thing. This movie was lost in between the rush of holiday spending and the overwhelming success of Avatar and Sherlock Holmes; it took going home to visit my mother in early January to find time to watch the film. "Nine" is a film rendition of a stage musical, and from start to finish, it lives up to its lavish counterpart as a stage production - much more "Moulin Rouge", and "CHICAGO" (from the same Director) rather than "High School Musical."
"Nine" is the story of Guido Contini, an Italian film maker who has made several exemplary films, all staring Claudia Nardi (Nicole Kidman), his muse. Unfortunately, the most recent attempts to make a film have resulted, in a word, with failure. The film opens as Guido Contini feverishly attempts to begin work on his ninth movie, Italia, - set to start filming in 10 days. Not only has he not finished the script - he hasn't even started it! To describe his situation as a case of writer's block is beyond understatement. Contini, like so many gifted individuals is an individual obsessed with whatever his current work is - to exclusion of all others including his wife and his own mental, physical and emotional health and sanity. As the film progresses, Contini becomes more frustrated at his inability to create a script, and grasping at straws (and in response to his failing marriage), he begins to review defining moments in his life, hoping to be able to adapt one of them in to a successful screenplay.
Instead of recounting the entire film, I'm going to keep this short and just call out some specific 'notables'.
Daniel Day-Lewis is an unusual actor, choosing very specific and different roles, often several years apart, and dedicating himself fully to each role with incredibly detailed method acting. As Guido Contini, he makes active use of his experience gained during his time with Royal Shakespeare Company. While I'd seen several of his films previously, his ability to change himself so completely in each role
Penelope Cruz sizzles in her role as Guido Contini's mistress, Carla in her first role requiring both singing and dancing on screen. In an interview with Oprah, Cruz stated she was terrified, as it was the first time she was required to sing professionally, and on her first day of choreography training, she wanted to be fired because she didn't think she could live up to the necessary standards.
Finally, more power to Dame Judi Dench for looking that good in a corset at her age. She manages to do so not only with class, but with some sex appeal as well.
