Rob Marshall's NINE is a sensual and music filled escape to 1960's Italy. Last night I was invited to attend a private screening of this star studded extravaganza and I can't get it out of my head.
Several years ago I saw a beautiful production of Nine on Broadway with the fantastic Antonio Banderas. However, the film skillfully reveals more layers of this story of an Italian film director struggling with a creative meltdown and the needs and influences of the many women in his life. Daniel Day-Lewis inhabits the role of Guido Contini as snuggly as the snazzy 1960's suits he wears in the film. I predict another Oscar for the divine Day-Lewis.
In fact, Nine is chock-full of Oscar winners: Dame Judi Dench plays the costume designer and confidante, Penelope Cruz is the sultry mistress who knows her way around ropes, Nicole Kidman is the icy muse, and Marion Cotillard is the long-suffering wife. The legendary Sophia Loren looks regal everytime she appears on the screen as Guido's mother and Kate Hudson & Fergie both deliver knock-out musical performances. The scenes of Day-Lewis driving around Italy in his sporty Alfa Romeo convertible will make you want to book a ticket pronto on Alitalia.
NINE opens in NY and LA on December 18 and everywhere else on December 25.
