Movie Review: Nine

This Is a movie about a screenwriter.  Just my cup of tea. This particular writer, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is also the movie director [the character]. The movie centers around what I call writer's block. And has plenty of block regalia. It's dripping with it.

 

Guido Contini is having relationship problems and can't seem to wrap his mind around the movie.  It's easy to see his problem: what else... women. Man's best excuse for most anything [in the movies]. It is wall to wall beautiful women, dressed to the nines.

But... he makes his bed [sorry, bad pun]

I was eager to see this film because the trailers portrayed this flick as being similar to Chicago, an awesome musical production. I couldn't wait to see it. Compare it. And basically drool over it.

I loved Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York, and he didn't disappoint. But unfortunately the overall movie did. The script was disjointed and just plain messy. It was difficult to keep up with all the women and their roles in his life. The show reminded me of the follies with a cast of beauties, but in this case, it did not live up to the follies genre. In other words, the arrow not only missed the bullseye, but the big round target sitting a foot away on a three-legged stand easy enough for a 5-year old Kindergarder to hit.

Kate Hudson was not herself. She should have passed on this role. Sophia Loren as Guido's mother was astoundingly gorgeous, but lacking in the acting department. Not up to the standard I expected from a veteran such as her.

Penelope Cruz had a scene that saved this entire movie. Wow! That's all I can say. For thirsty men, watch this movie for that one scene sequence. It will make your eyes fall out of their sockets.

Judi Dench as the trusted sidekick slash costumer was her amazing self. She doesn't know how to give a poor performance. She is Dench-a-licious. Fabulous and an icon for starlets to emulate.

It may be based on a Broadway smash hit, but… It's a musical. It's a drama. No, it's a musical.