OK, so after months of waiting and excitement to see the newest movie-musical, NINE, Noel and I went to see it yesterday. For a week now I have been listening to the soundtrack and feel in love with the cast. Granted, the actor/actress' are not strong singers, but their portrayl cam across beautifully. The song Be Italian sung by pop superstar and Black Eyed Peas front woman, FERGIE, was the best surprise of the whole movie as the prostitue, Saraghina. She had a minor character, but captured the audience as soon as she appears on screen. I wish she was in the movie more, but I believe the screen-time she did have, will have audiences talking! Fergie was only part of an amazing ensemble cast, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, the ever beautiful and elegant Sophia Loren, and the leading man, Daniel Day-Lewis. Marion Cotillard's Luisa Contini was brilliant. The role wasn't major but demanded a lot of emotion. Just a look from her, and you could see the heartbreak and sorrow in her eyes. The song, My Husband Makes Movies, was heartwrenching and filled with sadness with a lonely wife longing to be with the man she once fell in love with. Dame Judi Dench played the costume designer, Lilli. Any role Ms. Dench is cast in, she delivers an impecable performance, in my eyes. This was no different. She was playful, smart, and in a way sexy. Her musical number, Folies Bergere, was another favorite of mine. The way the scene was filmed, Lilli in black and white film and the background actress' in color, SPECTACULAR! It made the scene a memorable one but also captured the essence of the movie. The other stand out performance was Kate Hudson as the Vogue reporter Stephanie, or as Guido calls her, Stephanina. From the moment her musical number begins, Cinema Italiano, you can't help but think that this is a homage to her mother, Goldie Hawn. Her dancing, her personality, her sparkle, resembled Goldie Hawn back in the day when she danced around on different tv shows. This song, written specifically for the movie and not in the orginal Broadway show, I hope gets an Oscar nomination. Although Kate did an amazing job, I would hope Fergie would take the stage to perform it at the awards ceremony. Penelope Cruz as the mistress Carla, was surprising. Granted I'm not the best fan of her work, she delivered a great performance and was impressive in her musical number. Nicole Kidman as Guido's muse, Claudia, stands out as the beauty of the movie. Ms. Kidman no stranger to the movie-musical, was very unique but I felt didn't deliver the best at the end. Don't get me wrong, I loved her performance, but she wasn't one of my favorites in this film. Daniel Day-Lewis as the leading man, Guido Contini, was delicious. I don't know why, but he is just one bucket of SEXY! His vocals were weak, his acting was superb, but his portrayal was memorable. Lastly, the beautiful Sophia Loren. Ms. Loren portrayed Guido's Mamma. To see her on the big screen again was a delight. She brought such beauty and elegance to the character and the film. Her song, Guarda La Luna, written again specifically for the movie, was so soft and filled with love for her son.
In closing, I highly recommend you go see this film. Not only to support the movie-musical, not only because I said so, but to see for yourself a movie filled with surprise performances, cinematography that is beautiful, and an all around amazing show. You will take an emotional ride, crying, laughing, breath taking, and in the end, happiness. What more could you want from a film? NINE, the movie-musical playing nationwide in theaters.
