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Blog by Don Kennedy

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Nine

Nine is the film version of the stage musical based on the celebrated 1963 classic Italian film 8 1/2 that is still revered today - a loosely autobiographical Federico Fellini film that starred Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi. This musical is also set in 1963 but the famous yet troubled protagonist is now Guido Contini played by Daniel Day-Lewis. He’s the first to admit he’s no singer yet gamely warbles when needed as the writer/director whose early works are masterpieces but lately has delivered a series of flops and is now suffering a critical creative block. Unfortunately the pressure is on from his producer and the press to deliver genius so he disappears in order to keep everyone at bay while trying to dream up a new script. All the while he has to deal with the real and imagined women in his life that include his long suffering wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his hot Latin lover Carla (Penélope Cruz), his leading lady with benefits Claudia (Nicole Kidman) a willing American magazine scribe named Stephanie (Kate Hudson), Lilli (Judi Dench) his costume designer/shrink (who delivers all the best lines) as well as his childhood fantasy, Saraghina (Stacy Ferguson). Also fading in too seldom and out too quickly is a startlingly well preserved Sophia Loren playing Guido’s mother. The performances are spot on but not many of the tunes are engaging which doesn’t generally bode well for a musical. Nine suggests a half step up on the original title but certain eye full delights aside, it ends up being a beat behind.

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