Dazzling Performances by Awesome Actresses

If you’re familiar with New York Broadway shows then you’ll recognize the title as the film is based on the Tony award winning musical. It’s the story of an Italian film director who is unsure of the theme of his next film. A parallel plot centers on the women in his life. The Academy Award winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Guido Contini,  the self absorbed director with conflicted issues of morality. The women featured in the film are his mistress, Carla (Penelope Cruz), his devoted wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his costume designer and confidante Lilli (Judi Dench), a flirty journalist from Vogue magazine (Kate Hudson), a prostitute from his childhood (Stacy Ferguson ‘Fergie’) and his beloved mom (Sophia Loren).

With all of this star power, not to mention an Academy Award winning director Rob Marshall, one would assume the film would be an instant success. Regrettably, it’s rather choppy and skips all over the place like a bad DVD. The film is extremely hard to follow without much depth to neither the script nor the characters. We view amazing performances by beautiful women, but wonder ‘what in the world did their performance mean?’ Or, ‘what in the world is the purpose of their character?’  

First of all, I did not see the Broadway production of Nine, but heard that it was amazing on stage. The charismatic and handsome lead was played by Antonio Banderas. Melanie Griffith, his real-life wife, also managed to find herself a gig on Broadway during the same time frame (she played Roxie in the musical Chicago) to stay close to her man. Who could blame her as her husband worked nightly with numerous beautiful women? One of whom has gone on to star in the TV sitcom ‘30 Rock’, Jane Krakowskia, Tony winner from Nine. For whatever reason,  Banderas was not cast as the lead in the film and this was a colossal error. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Daniel Day-Lewis fan. This man is Irish and no matter how hard one tries he can’t be made into an Italian. I was in awe of his performance in (My Left Foot 1989) and felt he should have won his 2nd Oscar for (In the Name of the Father 1993). He is by far one of my favorite actors. He’s simply miscast in this film. However, he’s not the only reason the film didn’t work well. Too many individual musical numbers, a chaotic script and weak dialogue were a few other problems in the film.   

Standout performances were obvious as Penelope Cruz has a sexy dance number wearing a hot pink corset and using stage ropes as props. She’s gorgeous and has the role of scorned mistress down to a tee. These roles suit her as she’s amazing to watch when she’s angry and hurt (she presents a new face to the word ‘vulnerable’); dramatic, but not over the top. I loved her performance in Vicky Christina Barcelona and predicted an Academy Award for the role. Here, she simply ups her game in a similar part. Fantastic!

Marion Cotillard was also a standout in her role as the patient wife of the lunatic husband. Her song “My husband Makes Movies” resonates and sets the tone for the film. She’s another actress that soars with each new role.

Kate Hudson was a blast to watch as one couldn’t help compare her to mom Goldie Hawn, (whom I met 2 years ago in London and looks amazing in person). Goldie was on the 60’s TV show ‘Laugh In’ and danced in a bikini. Kate was a little more covered up, the 60’s go-go dance was still fun, and Kate looked like she was having the time of her life shimmying and swaying in her sparkly silver fringe outfit with matching silver go-go boots.

Last but not least, I was mesmerized by Fergie’s performance. She’s a pro and the song and dance number was stunning. Perhaps she has found a new career on stage in musicals. 

Not much else in the film was memorable. Daniel Day-Lewis did his best as usual, but the role was not suited for him. The script is too self-centered and unrealistic to garnish much notice from the mainstream population.

Sarah Adamson © December 2009