Star-Studded ‘Nine’ With Daniel Day-Lewis Delivers Grand Musical Spectacle

CHICAGO – Rob Marshall’s highly anticipated “Nine” isn’t quite the complete piece that it could have been, but its flaws are easy to overlook in favor of old-fashioned, pure entertainment. It is what so many musicals are remembered for being: a series of memorable moments the sum of which makes a missed beat or two easier to overlook. “Nine” has flaws, but I was too busy humming with the energy of this vibrant, eccentric piece of musical entertainment to really care.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

“Nine” is a beautifully made film about both the pitfalls and the benefits of being deemed a creative genius. Loosely based on Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2,” “Nine” tells the tale of the creative crisis of Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), one of the most respected filmmakers in the world. He’s scheduled to start work on his next masterpiece but completely crippled by a creative block.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Nine” in our reviews section. [17]

To get the creative juices flowing, Guido begins a journey through song that details the stories of some of the women who have made him such a powerful man. In the opening number, the women who have (or will) serve as Contini’s muses step forward in an elaborate group number on Contini’s Cinecitta set.

The women of “Nine” are clearly archetypes of the women who influence many creative powers - the wife (Marion Cotillard), the mistress (Penelope Cruz), the muse (Nicole Kidman), the mother (Sophia Loren), the friend (Judi Dench), the fling (Kate Hudson), and the teacher (Fergie). We will meet several of these women outside of Guido’s memories, but the construct of the opening number makes clear that the line between reality and fantasy will be blurry at best, with most of the musical numbers taking place on Contini’s set.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Nine” review. [17]

Guido (Daniel Day-Lewis) agonizes over starting his new film in Guido's Song (musical number), from Nine.
Photo credit: David James and The Weinstein Company