Synopsis for
Nine (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Nine tells the story of Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), a world famous film director as he confronts an epic mid-life crisis with both creative and personal problems. He must balance the many women of his life, including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren).

The original 1982 Broadway production of NINE, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Rob Marshall's "Chicago" won 6 Academy Awards. This film is Rob's latest foray into the world of Hollywood and perhaps his best to date. Based on the Fellini film 8 1/2 (which describes the number of films Guido has directed to date... he co-directed one for the 1/2)... this version simply is magical as it transforms reality into fantasy. Marshall is incredibly gifted in his wonderful choreography and the musical numbers are magical. Marshall himself said the most difficult part of translating a show into a film is that you have to weave the singing and dancing in seamlessly. It is breathtaking to watch that achievement in this musical on the screen. Marshall's use of black and white versus color and back are well conceived and executed tastefully. You never ask yourself why they are now singing and dancing. You sit back and watch the dance numbers take shape in what is now bigger than life. The sand number in particular was spectacular and you wonder how the dancers ever could get through the number with the sand swirling around the set. This is simply a wonderfully conceived musical which will take you into the mind of the "maestro" director Guido and transport you into a wonderful state of mind for nearly two hours. To have Dame Judy Dench, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Kate Hudson (yes, she can sing and dance), Nicole Kidman, the still beautiful Sophia Loren (so they used filters!), and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, in one cast is a visual treat. Each and every one of the ladies adds to Guido's enigma... and how to put the pieces back together so he can direct yet another movie is what keeps this movie so enticing. Really brilliant job by Rob Marshall who shares the praise with the late Anthony Minghella, who Marshall said handed him the script just before Minghella entered the hospital. Marshall is effusive in his praise of Minghella's contribution to this movie.