Following the creative process of a famous Italian director in 60s Italy, Nine stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini, a man troubled by his crumbling life and failing film career. Nine is based on the semi-autobiographical film 8 ½ by Frederico Fellini, a famous film director from Italy whose work throughout the 20th century brought him the lifetime achievement award at the 27th Cannes Film Festival in 1974.
Nine tells the story of Guido Contini’s struggle to direct his next movie, which is supposed to be his big come back after his two previous flops. Contini cannot seem to write a script for his film but leads everyone into thinking things are going according to plan. Amidst the mayhem of creating a film out of nothing, Contini finds himself having to cater to the many, many women in his life.
Luisa Contini, played by Marion Cotillard, was once his leading lady and after being married, she begins to feel the bitter sweetness of their relationship. Carla, played by Penelope Cruz, is Contini’s mistress, tired of being one of the skeletons in Contini’s closet. Claudia, played by Nicole Kidman, is Contini’s newest leading lady and muse. Lilli, played by Judi Dench, is Contini’s costume designer and the one person he seems to turn most to straighten out his life. Finally, there is his mother, played by Sophia Loren, who has passed on but is still a solid figure in Contini’s memory.
Kate Hudson joins this already amazing cast playing Stephanie, an American reporter who tries to seduce Contini. Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson also makes an appearance as an influential woman in Contini’s life.
Nine is a brilliant blend of reality, memory and musical numbers in which much inner dialogue is explained. Rob Marshall did an excellent job of directing this cast to tell the story of a man so secluded in his imagination that his stories start to wash out his realities. The presence of musical numbers, so star studded and glittery, is only an enhancement to the story line.
With its cast of anyone who is anyone, sparkling musical numbers and a story line that both connects with viewers and lets them explore the tangled world of film production, Nine is not just a movie for musical lovers. It’s a movie for anyone who enjoys the glamour of 1960’s Italy, the glitz of famous life and a story about a man who finally figures out his life.
