Saturday, June 5, 2010

Nine

Plot: Thinly veiled musical biopic of famous Italian director Federico Fellini. This film focuses on how the married director's debauchery starts to compromise his films.

Starring: 2X Oscar Winner Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood), Oscar Winner Marion Cotillard ("La vie en rose" & Public Enemies), Oscar Winner Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona & G-Force), Oscar Winner Sophia Loren ( La ciociara & Grumpier Old Men), Oscar Winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours & Australia), Oscar Winner Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love), Oscar Nominee Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), Grammy Winner Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie (Planet Terror), Vincent Riotta (The Dark Knight).

Review: Stunningly beautiful, nicely acted if not sung character study about how moral depravity eventually seeps through every facet of your life. The only exceptional singing in this musical was by Fergie, though Kidman was decent. Excellent dancing by Hudson and Cruz. The cast for the most part left something to be desired. Antonio Banderas (who played this part on Broadway) would've been perfect, but he turned down the role and no other actor with a decent voice was offered the part. DDL is a wonderful actor and a very convincing Italian for an Irishman, but a singer he is not). Renee Zelwegger, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, and Gwyneth Paltrow were all considered for parts. They are all wonderful actors with amazing voices. WTF why weren't they cast?. Go see this on Broadway where hopefully you can see a cast who can actually sing or maybe download a few of the songs from the soundtrack off Itunes. Otherwise, stay away from this mediocre, long-winded film, unless you're obsessed with lovely costumes and set design. Best Voice: Fergie. Best Dancer: Penelope Cruz tied w. Fergie. Worst Voice: Judi Dench. Worst Dancer-Judi Dench.

Awards:

YearResultAwardCategory/Recipient(s)
2010NominatedOscarBest Achievement in Art Direction

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
For the song "Take It All".
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz


Rating:

Writing-C

Acting-A

Directing-C

Music-B

Cinematography-A

Editing-C

Costumes-A

Art Direction-A

Hair-A

Makeup-A

Visual Effects-A

**1/2- Stars-only b/c it was so stylish to look at and most of the dancing was great

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