Close, But No Cigar…Nine Is Not Chicago
The ladies of Nine.
NINE (2009/IN THEATERS) The ads read “If you loved Chicago, you’ll love Nine.” But this is clearly not true, since audiences are staying away in droves and critics have largely panned Rob Marshall’s latest effort to bring Broadway to the screen in a highly cinematic fashion. My musical loving friend Be (SML contributor and editor) and I enjoyed the movie. We enjoyed the costumes and the dance sequences (by and large). We liked the B&W cuts to Fellini-esque scenes reminiscent of his “8½” which inspired the original Broadway show. But we found the music to be just plain no good. Leaving the theater, we couldn’t remember a single song, much less sing one of them. And it is true that Daniel Day Lewis, while delivering a wonderful job as an actor, lacks the “sizzle” that, say, Richard Gere brought to his role in Chicago. Perhaps DDL is just not sexy enough. Another friend called him “skinny and greasy.” Yikes. I have read that Javier Bardem was originally sought for the role of Guido. Sexier than DDL? Probably. The original Broadway production in the 80s starred Raul Julia as Guido and of course, Antonio Banderas was wildly popular (and nominated for a Tony) in the part during Nine’s return to Broadway in 2003. Does Banderas sizzle? Yes. Ebert called the casting of DDL “odd” and noted in his review that DDL is NOT “romantic, musical, a comic, or Italian in any way.” A bit harsh, I think. He provided a wonderful interpretation of Marcello Mastroianni and his Italian accent was pretty darned good. But he certainly can’t sing. Poor DDL and poorer Weinsteins, who had hoped for another Chicago. Nice try. But no cigar.
Grade: C
Dana Stevens mentioned in the Slate Spoiler Special podcast that DDL learned to speak Italian for this role, though he doesn’t actually speak Italian in it? Interesting dude.
I’ll see just about anything that has a musical story line [ probably from my high school days and being in a production of Oklahoma] so, highly anticipated the viewing of NINE. I have to admit it was enjoyable…but, it should have been so much more. The first musical number set an unsettling tone and I was worried the rest of would follow suit. They didn’t and it got better as it went along and the story developed. The ladies were exceptional in there roles and the dance sequences were outstanding. Just wish I wanted to go back and see it again or buy the DVD when it comes out, unfortunatly I don’t.