Nine

Rob Marshall's musical follow-up to the wildly successful and Academy Award winning Chicago is a slightly less original, and far less musically inspiring rendition of the Broadway show Nine.

A very intriguing story finds Daniel Day-Lewis as an Italian director and Lothario who is planning his next masterpiece in the early 1960's, while the story within the story shows how various women have inspired him throughout his life. It is just segmented enough for the viewer not to become too bored, and the introduction of various A-list actresses in their respective roles in the director's life are just short enough for the most ADD of us to keep focused.

Lewis is amazing, but the Irish actor is playing Italian in English, which translates to a bit of a weak singing voice. The women in his life; Kidman, Cotillard, Dench, Loren, Hudson, Fergie, and Cruz all show impressive vocals and choreography, but the material is just plain flat. It must have been a fun film to make, especially for the women, but it is nothing more than some fantastic costumes, singing, dancing, and crying.

There would have been a much different feel to the film if it would have been adapted to a more local venue. Nothing against the Italians, but I didn't feel vested in his relationships or the cultural relevance of this iconic man. there was a sort of disconnect between the time and place, and it was presented in a much more whimsical manner. Additionally, the music was just plain bad. The actors and actresses gave it their all, but the combination of things led to a less than memorable experience.

The star of the film is Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido, his country's cinematic treasure. From the hotel bellhop to the Catholic Bishops, he is revered for his once brilliant craft, although his star is fading. The opportunity to create a new masterpiece has everyone buzzing, and he begins to implode from the stress.

The idea of the film with the vignettes performed by each of the women representing a piece of the man's scattered and affected mind is wonderful, and I got chills during the final scene as he gets back on the proverbial horse and his memories congregate behind him on a scaffold to help him perform his duty. It felt like it was wrapped up nicely in the end, and I admire Lewis for his bold aspiration.

Marshal has found a niche in the musical genre, reinventing the silver screen allure of song and dance, and his attachment to the new Pirates of the Caribbean should be nothing short of interesting.

Before the buzz, I was very excited to see this film, but after hearing some of the critical panning, I have to say it was precisely what I was expecting. I foresee Oscar nominations for Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard, but I don't see anything more than costumes or choreography to potentially win.

Good effort, but a little vanilla. 6/10.