Pretty, fine

Nine
A; Musical/Drama
Dir: Rob Marshall
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penu00e9lope Cruz, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Fergie
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"Your film dies the moment you talk about it. That's why I am secretive", notes the maestro Guido Contini (Day- Lewis) in a reply to eager (and a few unconvinced) journos gathered at a press conference where the director is to announce his next film. Sounds like a masterclass. Then comes the trite question, "What is your favourite pasta?" The retort is dripping with sarcasm: "Finally! A serious question..."

One comes to mind. What is the legend of Guido? The answer to that is dealt with throughout the film. In fact, it is more to do with the tragedy of one man's lack of ideas, joy,u00a0 love and contentment.

We see the life of Contini through the eyes of the women in his life -- his mamma (Loren), costume designer and lifelong friend and confidante Lilli (Dench), wife (and once his muse) Luisa (Cotillard), mistress Carla (Cruz) and current muse and international superstar Claudia (Kidman).

The music scored by Andrea Guerra and set to lyrics by Maury Yeston is brilliant and deserves repeat listens.
Judi Dench excels in the role of a Parisian (if you can excuse her slipping into a normal Brit accent in some parts during the second half) and her track "Folies Bergere" is one of the film's highlights.

As is Marion's performance as the suffering wife Luisa, who bares her soul with "My Husband Makes Movies" and "Take It All".

Penu00e9lope raises the temperature with the seductive track, "A Call From The Vatican".

Day-Lewis has little to do other than sit around and observe in a very Scrooge-y manner, however as his life flashes about him.

A retelling of Federico Fellini's 8u00bd, Nine is based in part on the Broadway musical of the same name as well.

With such solid inspiration in place, it is indeed difficult to go wrong. Add to that, a screenplay co-authored by the late Anthony Minghella, fabulous performances from the leading ladies of the film and it sure seemed that Marshallu00a0 hit a home run.

The snag? The film's chaotic, frenetic pace (justified with the words: "I ask you, what's a good thing for if not taking it to excess!" in Guido's Song) that you struggle to keep up with. It succeeds as a musical but limits the audiences it can attract with a dark, brooding, unhappy subject that tries to imagine and contrive for his next opus. There's the pomp and the glamour, but do you feel for Guido? NO!

If you love musicals and a tearjerker, this is the movie to pick. Be patient with the flaws and expect, passion, beauty, curves, delight and desire at the price of one ticket. It won't hurt you.