Nine (2009)
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The story
In 1965, Italian filmmaker Guido Contini suffers from severe writer's block while working at the Cinecittà movie studios in Rome. To find inspiration for his next project, he conjures the women from his life—both living and deceased—into his imagination. He retreats to a spa hotel on the coast, where he is visited by his mistress, Carla, and faces the presence of his wife, Luisa. As he struggles to balance his desires and his creative block, he seeks guidance from his confidante, Lilli, and attempts to navigate the complex web of his past and present relationships.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1965, Italian filmmaker Guido Contini, suffering from writer's block, conjures the women of his life—including his wife Luisa, mistress Carla, and star actress Claudia—for inspiration. He retreats to a spa hotel where Carla visits him, but he hides her away. His producer, Dante, brings the crew to the hotel. His confidante Lilli encourages him to create, while Guido reminisces about his childhood. Luisa surprises him at dinner, leading to a confrontation with Carla. After a brief reconciliation with Luisa, Guido helps Carla after she attempts suicide. Back in Rome, Guido tries to film his ordeal, but his leading lady, Claudia, refuses to play a part in his personal drama. Luisa arrives and, devastated by his interactions with Claudia, leaves him permanently. Guido cancels the film, admitting there was no movie to make, and destroys the set. Two years later, Guido sees Luisa in a play and decides to make a film about winning her back. He directs a fantasy where his younger self assembles the cast of his life on a scaffolding. As Luisa watches from the shadows, the fantasy merges with reality, and the mature Guido calls "Action!"
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Rob Marshall
- Writers
- Michael Tolkin · screenplay; Anthony Minghella · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Daniel Day-Lewis · Guido Contini; Marion Cotillard · Luisa; Penélope Cruz · Carla Albanese; Judi Dench · Lilli La Fleur; Fergie · Saraghina; Kate Hudson · Stephanie Necrophorus; Nicole Kidman · Claudia Jenssen; Sophia Loren · Mamma
- Genres
- romantic musical drama
- Themes
- creative crisis; memory; obsession; art vs. reality
- Tone and mood
- sophisticated; sexy; stylish; chaotic
- Setting
- Rome and the Italian coast, 1965
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; drama; biographical fiction; period piece
- Source material / true-story basis
- The musical Nine, based on the film 8½
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews and was a box office failure, though the cast's performances were praised.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 39% · review count: 208; Metacritic · score: 49 · scale: 100 · review count: 33
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Production Design · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Costume Design · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Original Song · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was based on a musical which was itself based on the film 8½.; Nicole Kidman was allowed to bring her daughter to the set during filming.; The film was a commercial failure, grossing less than $54 million on an $80 million budget.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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