The Kidd Vs. Nine
The musical “Nine” is probably the 9th movie of 2009 that The Kidd has seen with some variation of “nine” in the title (“District 9,” “9″), and wouldnt you know it…? It happens to be not only the best of the bunch, but one of the best films of the year. “Nine,” the latest musical masterpiece by director Rob Marshall, is absolutely fantastic. Just when you thought he couldn’t give you a better musical adaptation than “Chicago,” he does with this film based on the musical based the Fellini autobiographical movie “8 1/2.” If Rob Marshall spent his time on “Chicago” refining his craft in bringing a stage show to the big screen, he has 
perfected that skill on “Nine.”
“Nine” tells the tale of director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), a famed filmmaker whose career has taken a turn for the worse after his last few disappointing movies. He sets out with a plan to make another that will once again establish himself as a premiere voice in cinema, if only he had an idea for a movie to make. He has no script, no story, nothing. He only has the pressure of living up to the expectations and standards that have been laid down for a Contini film, and that’s in addition to the complex web of relationships he has with numerous women entangled in his life. There’s his wife who he loves dearly yet cheats on very frequently (Marion Cotillard). You’ve also got his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his mother (Sophia Loren), his trusted costume designer and closest friend (Dame Judi Dench), his favorite actress (Nicole Kidman), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), and a prostitute he remembers from his youth (Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas). Each women represents a part of who he is and why he is that way, helping to shape who Guido Contini has become, and, throughout the film, we get a deconstruction of each of these relationships which allows us a deeper look into how each one builds on and reacts to the next.
Of course, one might look at that and wonder why they would bother to care about a guy who is surrounded by a bunch of chicks, none of which he has a completely functional relationship with. He sounds like a bit of an asshole. However, you can’t help but have sympathy for him, even in his most selfish moments, due to the brilliance of Daniel Day-Lewis. From the moment he takes to the screen, you are locked in on yet another amazing performance from the best actor in the world today. You understand his struggles. You get his 
frustrations. You loathe him at the exact same time that you’re hoping he succeeds. You run the gauntlet of emotions with a man who wants to do his best for his work, for his love, for his life, yet is so self-destructive in nature, in behavior that he nearly makes it impossible. But, most importantly, you feel with and for Guido Contini, and that rests entirely on Daniel Day-Lewis, who is able to take you inside this man and show you his soul, regardless of how flawed it is. You want him to make his film. You want it to be a success. You want him to be good to his wife, who has stood by him through it all. You want him to make it out on the other side of this creative crisis he’s going through. And, when he missteps, when he fucks up, when he gets in his own way, you can’t help but hope that he’s able to rebound and try again.
His female co-stars all give excellent performances in their own rights. Marion Cotillard is fabulous as Contini’s wife Luisa. She is that woman who continues to hope for the best in her man, even as it seems to be more and more of a hopeless cause, and you get that sense of holding on in her portrayal here. She’s not clueless to what the reality of the situation is. She’s well aware of her husband’s mistresses of his infidelities, and she keeps hoping that he’ll change, that he’ll go back to being the man she fell in love with. Cotillard plays Luisa with such uncertainty, such weakness that it only makes her transformation into a stronger, independent character that much stronger.
The other standout of “Nine” is Penelope Cruz. The Kidd has never been a Cruz fan, finding most of her American work overrated and lacking. But Cruz really turns a page in my book with her role as Carla, Guido’s other woman. Not only is she stunningly sexy here, but she also is able to carry the heavy emotional 
baggage of a woman, who wants to move from #2 to the top of Contini’s female ladder. She’s that woman who dreams of her affair leaving his wife to be with her, even though she knows it’s not the most realistic of possibilities. And, while it might be easy to cast aside a less talented actress as the slut or the whore or the homewrecker responsible for the breakdown in Guido’s marriage, that’s an impossible task here, as Cruz is able to display what that other woman is going through and what she’s feeling. And, while it might not be too popular to empathize with her side of the situation, you do it anyway, because Cruz brings it out in you.
Dame Judi Dench… well, when have you ever heard a bad word said about anything she’s done? Never, and it’s not going to start now, as she contributes another solid job as Contini’s costume designer Lilli. She plays the role spot-on as only Dame Judi Dench can – with a quick wit and hint of sarcasm that have become trademarks of hers. Kate Hudson also delivers something special in the minor role of Stephanie, a fashion columnist for “Vogue,” who is enamored with everything Contini: his films, his style, his sexuality. She only has a couple small scenes, but her number “Cinema Italiano” is one that catches your attention throughout the film. It’s catchy upbeat tribute to 60s pop captures the essence of her character and is one of the more fun and entertaining songs on the soundtrack.
The real musical star of the film though is Fergie. While everyone from Nicole Kidman (in a small but effective role) to Cruz to Cotillard to even Daniel Day-Lewis (who surprises with his vocal talents) is able to carry a tune quite capably, it’s Fergie who really shows what she’s got. While you can’t get a feel for what 
she can do with her voice on “Boom Boom Pow” or “My Humps,” she lets it rip in “Nine” with her show-stopping song “Be Italian.” I didn’t know Fergie was so Fergalicious with her voice, but she’s on full display in her one major scene, which turns out to be the best of the film. Not only does she give the best performance with her tremendous singing voice, it is the most visually interesting, as Rob Marshall incorporates sand and tambourines in bringing about some of his most impressive looking sequences. If not for the greatness of the rest of “Nine,” Fergie’s scene alone would be worth the price of your ticket.
Marshall does a great job in bringing the high production values of a Broadway show to the big screen. It doesn’t feel like a musical in movie form. It doesn’t feel like a movie version of a musical. It’s a happy mixture, as Marshall is able to put you right there in each scene. He succeeds at making each new number feel grand, even in its small setting, allowing the film to always maintain an intimate feel.
“Nine” is such an incredible film that, even if you took out all of the musical performances, it’d still be a great movie. The music is an excellent compliment to 
an already strong story. In some cases, a musical will let up in between songs, relying on the vocal performances to do the heavy lifting of the story. That’s not the case with “Nine,” as the dramatic acting is as captivating as everything else.
This is a must-see during this holiday season, as it is easily one of the best films you could see in 2009. If musicals are your thing, then prepare to see something truly great. If you’re not a big fan of showtunes, you might want to go ahead and sit through this one anyway, as there is enough outside of the music to deliver a remarkable story as shown by even more remarkable actors. You can’t go wrong with anything Daniel Day-Lewis is a part of, as he continues to take risks with each new and uniquely different role he accepts. It’s safe to say that the roll of the dice he took in making a musical surely paid off, as it is yet another worthwhile notch on an already incredible career.
If you’re looking to find the top of the class of ’09, “Nine” is definitely in that upper echelon of films that deserves serious consideration.
