Nine

Inspired by Federico Fellini's self-reflective, surreal 1963 art film 8½, which in turn spawned the 1982 Tony-winning Broadway musical Nine, Rob Marshall's film adaptation revolves around a brilliant but totally egocentric film director in the midst of a midlife crisis, searching for existential salvation among the various women who have been pivotal in his life. Opening in Rome, circa 1965, Nine finds Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) fleeing from Cinecitta Studios just before beginning production on his highly anticipated new film, Italia (Guido has no script and no ideas—in other words, total writer's block). Taking refuge at an Anzio seaside spa, Guido is joined by his lusty, neurotic mistress (Penélope Cruz) and his loyal, long-suffering wife (Marion Cotillard). Other figures include his costume designer/confidante (Judi Dench), leading lady/muse (Nicole Kidman), and a flirtatious American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), as well as haunting memories of his doting Mamma (Sophia Loren) and a childhood sexual fantasy girl (Stacy Ferguson, aka Fergie from the Black-Eyed Peas). Along with Guido's heartfelt laments, each woman belts a signature song—extravagantly staged and sensational. But dancers they're not, and unfortunately it shows, while Maury Yeston's lyrics often conflict with the emotions each character is supposed to be expressing in the adapted script by Michael Tolkin and the late Anthony Minghella. Dramatically uneven but often dazzling, the sumptuous Nine is recommended, overall. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca, as well as featurettes on “Director Rob Marshall” (7 min.) “The Incomparable Daniel Day Lewis” (6 min.), “The Women of Nine” (11 min.), “Behind the Look of Nine” (9 min.), “The Dancers of Nine” (5 min.), “The Choreography ‘Cinema Italiano'” (9 min.), “The Choreography of ‘Be Italian'” (4 min.), and the “Making of ‘Cinema Italiano'” (3 min.). Also included are the music videos “Cinema Italiano” featuring costar Kate Hudson, “Take it All” featuring costar Marion Cotillard, and “Unusual Way” featuring singer Griffith Frank, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a “Screen Actors Guild Q&A Session” with the cast (42 min.), a “Sophia Loren Remembers Cinecitta Studios” featurette (13 min.), and the “movieIQ” trivia and BD-Live features. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a dazzling if somewhat uneven film.] (S. Granger)