OK ... Grab a tissue, folks! This one got me from the very start! Well written, well acted and honest. The portrayal of this adopted child, David, his adoptive parents and birth parents is positive and beautiful in the way they resolve the idea of meeting your birth parents after so many years. The story flows well, mixes strong emotion with humor, and wraps it up in a lovely message of faith and getting your strength from the Lord. The movie carries enough twists to keep it interesting, too. Makes a great plug for choosing something other than abortion without being preachy...just matter of fact. Well done!
Reviews
4 Reviews
Nine
(2009)
Lacking the "Oomph" of the Broadway show, but worth the watch.
21 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Frist, I love it when people critique a MUSICAL saying, "It was great, but there was so much singing!" Um...Sparky?....IT'S. A. MUSICAL!!!! If you don't like it when people break into song for no apparent reason, then don't ever, ever watch a musical! LOL
Now, this flick has other issues, but too much music isn't one of them. And, don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, but found some things I must speak out on...
Way back when the Earth was cooling, I did theatre in the Detroit area...Community, REgional...Nothing really big, but still a lot of fun. I was privileged to be in a cast at a Royal Oak, MI version of Nine back in the 80s. So, I'm quite familiar with the original show, the music, the characters, etc. I love it!
But, I have to say the movie lacks some of the fun and insights into Guido's idiosyncracies than what we see in the stge show. A LOT of musical numbers got cut out of the movie version, and then were replaced by dialogue that seems irrelevant to the original script on which the movie was based.
With that said, I'm so glad that Maury Yeston gave us several new songs written for the movie, so that if they had to cut songs, at least the original writer could give us consistency and vision from his 1983 version. But they cut some really fantastic moments when adapting the show for the film.
The B'way show consists of Guido, 4 school boys, and the rest all women. It plays on Guido's facination and love/hate relationships with women throughout his life. The movie re-writes seveal cast members with men. Doesn't really work for me, but that is just my opinion...Take it for what it's worth.
Some have criticized the "Chicago-esque" format of the film style; I didn't mind it at all. In fact, the flashbacks/daydreams expressed in the various segments and songs are consistent with Guido's constant distractions and inability to create the story and script for the upcoming movie his producers and backers demand. Kind of indicative of anyone who, like me, fights ADD! Guido suffers from those intermittent "SQUIRREL!" moments! Who knew?!?!
Noteworthy performances from most of the cast certainly do not dissapoint, but seem dull without the rest of the stage elements that made the 1983 show so captivating. For example: 1. Daniel Day Lewis did a fabulous job as Guido (Raul Julia is smiling down from heaven, Dan!). Didn't know he could sing, so this was a lovely surprise.
2. Dame Judith Dench...Seriously.... Is there ANYTHING she can't do??? Thinking not! Loved the Follie Bergeres scene. She could read the phone book and be Oscar-worthy!
3. Fergie surprised me. I was expecting a far less interesting performance. Her Saraghina played well.
4. Penelope Cruz also surprised me as Carla. "A Call from the Vatican" never fails to WOW, whether on stage or screen. She did the role as the story's sex-kitten well, channeling the best of. Anita Morris and Jane Krakowski, and adding in her fiery best to completely round out the character. Again...Didn't know she could sing and was pleasantly surprised...Even hitting that high note at the end! Go, girl!
Those are just the performances that stood out for me.
Overall, the movie is certainly entertaining, well-paced, beautifuly shot, and with surprisingly good vocals. Just be aware that we have a few holes in the story and some odd segues that were better explained (my opinion) in the Broadway Show. But, then, history has proven that's usually how it goes when you go from stage to screen.
Still...Give it a watch and just enjoy it! Peace!
Now, this flick has other issues, but too much music isn't one of them. And, don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, but found some things I must speak out on...
Way back when the Earth was cooling, I did theatre in the Detroit area...Community, REgional...Nothing really big, but still a lot of fun. I was privileged to be in a cast at a Royal Oak, MI version of Nine back in the 80s. So, I'm quite familiar with the original show, the music, the characters, etc. I love it!
But, I have to say the movie lacks some of the fun and insights into Guido's idiosyncracies than what we see in the stge show. A LOT of musical numbers got cut out of the movie version, and then were replaced by dialogue that seems irrelevant to the original script on which the movie was based.
With that said, I'm so glad that Maury Yeston gave us several new songs written for the movie, so that if they had to cut songs, at least the original writer could give us consistency and vision from his 1983 version. But they cut some really fantastic moments when adapting the show for the film.
The B'way show consists of Guido, 4 school boys, and the rest all women. It plays on Guido's facination and love/hate relationships with women throughout his life. The movie re-writes seveal cast members with men. Doesn't really work for me, but that is just my opinion...Take it for what it's worth.
Some have criticized the "Chicago-esque" format of the film style; I didn't mind it at all. In fact, the flashbacks/daydreams expressed in the various segments and songs are consistent with Guido's constant distractions and inability to create the story and script for the upcoming movie his producers and backers demand. Kind of indicative of anyone who, like me, fights ADD! Guido suffers from those intermittent "SQUIRREL!" moments! Who knew?!?!
Noteworthy performances from most of the cast certainly do not dissapoint, but seem dull without the rest of the stage elements that made the 1983 show so captivating. For example: 1. Daniel Day Lewis did a fabulous job as Guido (Raul Julia is smiling down from heaven, Dan!). Didn't know he could sing, so this was a lovely surprise.
2. Dame Judith Dench...Seriously.... Is there ANYTHING she can't do??? Thinking not! Loved the Follie Bergeres scene. She could read the phone book and be Oscar-worthy!
3. Fergie surprised me. I was expecting a far less interesting performance. Her Saraghina played well.
4. Penelope Cruz also surprised me as Carla. "A Call from the Vatican" never fails to WOW, whether on stage or screen. She did the role as the story's sex-kitten well, channeling the best of. Anita Morris and Jane Krakowski, and adding in her fiery best to completely round out the character. Again...Didn't know she could sing and was pleasantly surprised...Even hitting that high note at the end! Go, girl!
Those are just the performances that stood out for me.
Overall, the movie is certainly entertaining, well-paced, beautifuly shot, and with surprisingly good vocals. Just be aware that we have a few holes in the story and some odd segues that were better explained (my opinion) in the Broadway Show. But, then, history has proven that's usually how it goes when you go from stage to screen.
Still...Give it a watch and just enjoy it! Peace!
Anyone who's ever DIY remodeled will understand!! LOL
11 January 2021
It's kind of an updated version of The Money Pit premise. Novertheless a fun movie.
At first, like most other reviewers, I was annoyed by Dan because he's a self-centered bonehead, and Anne is a whiny, spoiled woman-child! They eventually grow on you, and then you can see them transform and rekindle their relationship, which is much appreciated! (Frankly, less than 1/2 way through the move, I wanted to punch Anne...The Wine Cellar scene, especially!!!!)
This storyline perfectly blended the issues of money problems and doing a remodel as a couple who don't really know what they're doing; the annoyance and frustration involved, which thankfully turned into better understanding and teamwork. We've all been there, man! LOL
Give this one a shot. It'll be worth it.
At first, like most other reviewers, I was annoyed by Dan because he's a self-centered bonehead, and Anne is a whiny, spoiled woman-child! They eventually grow on you, and then you can see them transform and rekindle their relationship, which is much appreciated! (Frankly, less than 1/2 way through the move, I wanted to punch Anne...The Wine Cellar scene, especially!!!!)
This storyline perfectly blended the issues of money problems and doing a remodel as a couple who don't really know what they're doing; the annoyance and frustration involved, which thankfully turned into better understanding and teamwork. We've all been there, man! LOL
Give this one a shot. It'll be worth it.
A Christmas Movie Christmas
(2019 TV Movie)
Fun Send-up of stereo-typical Christmas movie!
8 January 2021
OK...Is it predictable? Well, Yeah! It's a Christmas movie about being stuck in a Christmas movie! It uses all the best Hallmark/ION/Lifetime Christmas movie cliches,scenarios, and metaphoric dialogue balled up into one cheesy and fun movie! The interactions between the characters of Paul and Lacy are hilariously carried out by the writers and real-life married couple Brant and Kimberly Daugherty. Lana McKissack and Ryan Merriman work well together as 2/3 of the love triangle in the show. the other 1/3 being Randy Wayne, giving a perfectly cheesy and pompous performance, reminiscent of Rob Lowe's character in Wayne's World!! Made me giggle! I thought my time was well spent watching this one! Christmas spriti run amok, and a fun storyline. (Plus it's filmed in Frankenmuth, Mi! Christmas town USA!!! Made this Mitten Gal proud!)
Give this a chance and embrace the cheese!
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