Despite its star-studded cast, “NINE” disappoints as a Broadway film. Compared to a similar counterpart such as “Chicago”, which was significantly more popular, “Nine” fails to achieve the interesting, catchy plot that it had on the Broadway stage. The songs are boring in contrast to the catchy tunes of “Chicago” as are the settings and transitions between the music and the plot of the story.
Unlike that of “Chicago”, the music of “Nine” struggles to connect with the plot of the film. As the protagonist, Guido Contini, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, has a mental block preventing him from writing another movie, he also tries to juggle seven women- his wife, his mistress, his muse, his costume-designer, a journalist, a prostitute, and his mother. When his wife soon learns about all of Guido’s other women, his juggling act fails and his personal life consequentially begins to fall apart. The music, intended to narrate the storyline and sung by each of Guido’s women is intended to portray each of their roles in Guido’s life; however, the songs simply fail to connect to the plot in an entertaining manner. Saraghina the prostitute (played by Fergie) has an interesting role as a sexual figure in Guido’s life, but the song “Be Italian” does not connect the importance of her role with the lusty effect it has had on Guido. The music fails not only because of its lack of connection to the plot, but also because it lacks musical value, especially in comparison to the songs of “Chicago” which successfully link the plot with the music. “Cell Block Tango” highlights why these vaudeville women killed their husbands and lovers, and clarifies the main conflict. The melodies hardly vary in “Nine” in comparison to the fabulous songs in “Chicago” that dazzle and entertain the audience.
The settings of the film also provide less than entertaining backdrops for important scenes, such as Guido’s mistress’ song. The song mildly catches the audience’s attention, but the scene consists only of her flailing about on a pair of what looks like coils of hanging sheets. Although it seems seductive in the first minute of the song, its lack of variation leads to boredom at the end of the song. A similar seductive scene exists in “Chicago”, with the song “All That Jazz”. The multiple scenes between the steamy relationship between Roxie Hart and her lover, and the scandalous performance of Velma Kelley in the night club, create a visually appealing way of viewing the story.
Despite its numerous shortcomings, the film does provide great acting. With such big name actresses as Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, and Judi Dench, great acting is expected, and justly delivered through their stellar performances. Penelope Cruz, as Carla, very successfully plays the role of Guido’s obsessed mistress through her incredibly realistic impression of grief when Guido breaks up with her. Although the scene could have seemed forced and extremely flat, Cruz portrays the desperation Carla feels perfectly.
“Nine” disappoints as a film because it does not translate well to the big screen. While the songs may have been successful on Broadway, they fall flat due to their weak connection to the plot. The settings do not do the songs justice either as they are so plain that they lose the audience’s attention. As compared to “Chicago”, “Nine” falls flat.
