OK for kids 15+
Sensual musical about love and art has mature themes.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this beautifully filmed, all-star musical from the director of Chicago (and based on Federico Fellini's classic, albeit mature, film 8 1/2) follows a tortured-genius film director (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his interactions with a series of women (played by the likes of Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, and even Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas) who've had an impact on his creative process. Though there's no actual sex or nudity, many of the songs focus on love, lust, and desire, and almost all of the dance numbers feature scantily clad dancers and suggestive lyrics/movements. There's also some smoking, drinking, and infrequent swearing. Younger viewers probably won’t be able to fully appreciate the movie's mature themes related to relationships and creative challenges, but the cast may draw them in anyway.
- Families can talk about creativity. How does Guido try to jump-start the artistic process? How do his struggles affect the people around him? Does it work?
- What do you think about Guido’s romantic entanglements? How does his wife feel about his obvious infidelity? Does he care?
- How does the movie portray its female characters?
The good stuff
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Messages: A self-centered and self-indulgent film director careens through life, focusing all of his energies of the creative process and paying no attention to how his actions affect others, including his neglected wife, the mistress he takes for granted, and the many people involved in a major film project that can't move forward until he completes the script.
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Role models: Guido is tortured by the creative spirit. His artistic impulses consume him, leaving him unable to manage the more mundane activities of his life, including remaining faithful to his wife or completing (or beginning, actually) the much-needed script for a major movie that's about to begin production. The film shows the dark side of genius and could make the life of an artist seem less than appealing to viewers who might otherwise harbor a bit of jealousy for such a glamorous lifestyle. On the up side, the movie features many strong female characters.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some dance sequences feature aggressive movements, but the effect is more dramatic than violent.
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Sex: Frequent sexual situations, but no nudity or love scenes. Characters often discuss sex and desire, and many of the dance sequences feature women in skimpy costumes performing suggestive movements. One song focuses exclusively on a woman’s desire for her partner and includes very racy lyrics and sexy motions.
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Language: Not much swearing, though some characters do refer to each other as “ass” and “whore.” Also a few uses of exclamations like "hell" and "my God."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters (all adults) smoke cigarettes often and drink socially at parties and dinners.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Beautiful, exuberant, well written and well acted by nycubalibre
The characters drive this movie. You get a glimpse into some very interesting people and what makes them suffer, thrive and live. The dance numbers are beautifully and seamlessly weaved into the movie and they're BEAUTIFUL.
The movie they are creating within Nine has no script and, at one point, the director says all people care about is the visuals. This movie truly delivers on this aspect. Costumes, the actors the sets are all visually stunning and it's worth the price of admission just to admire the Penolope sex number or the Kate Hudson 70's Italian throwback. Even Fergie, as the village ****, is spectacular doing a full out music video for the famed song Italia.
If you want an amazing plot to take you to another plane, see something else. If you're attracted to or inspired by these actors in any way or you love a good spectacle, don't miss it!
5
A visual delight by seattleroz
If you liked "All That Jazz" and "Chicago" you will love this movie. Visually delightful with great music, good plot, clever flashbacks, fabulous actors....a most pleasant surprise.
4
Nine Razzle Dazzles and Delivers by irish_eyes
After reading other reviews, I was prepared to see Nine with my fingers crossed. It's a wild ride between the anxiety of the unwashed, mama's boy, smokaholic Italian film director played by Daniel Day Lewis and the over the top, glitter and glam of the musical numbers which puncuate the story like crazy parantheses, popping in just when the real life emotion starts to show in the characters. I really enjoyed Nine, and would see it again, just for the Judi Dench song about the Folies Bergere, Kate Hudson's song and dance and Sophia Loren as the dead mama dancing with her grown son.
5
NINE is love by Pollyxoxo
This was an excellent movie. I have noticed that many of those who were displeased with the movie and have written negative reviews, have been comparing Nine to Chicago...let me make something clear THERE SHOULD BE NO COMPARISON. Unlike Chicago, it's not bam bam in your face, dancing spectacle, no pondering necessary type of movie. Nine has a darker story line, it is a movie in which each character is highly developed, experience very raw pain and agony, and are easy to sympathize with - there is so much to take away from this movie...from the very first scene in which Claudia kisses an adult Guido to the closing scene in which Claudia kisses a child Guido...this movie is about accepting what you have...the pain of losing it all in order to realize that what you have is in fact what you've wanted all along. This movie is BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, GENIUS! Marion Cotillard and Daniel Day Lewis both gave powerful performances, and I will be watching this movie over and over and over again.
2
Load up on caffeine before you see this one by tmeno55
My wife and I went to see Nine tonight. We had heard conflicting bad reviews from critics and hype from others that this movie would win a lot of awards. But we both liked Chicago so we went to check this one out ourselves. Well... I would say that about twenty minutes of the movie are extremely entertaining and the rest is an incredible waste of time and talent. Some good scenic views of Rome and surrounding countryside, but even a musical deserves to have some sort of plot or purpose...this movie does not.
4
Nine by winsletisforluvers
Although this movie did not have the box office appeal I was expecting overall it was one of the best films I have seen this year. Daniel Day Lewis (now nominated for a golden globe for best actor in a comedy or musical) gives another amazing performance to add to his resume'. The overall shocker was Kate Hudson who performed Cinema Italiano which is now nominated for a golden globe as well. If you like splended acting and provocative women singing you will absolutely love this film. Yeah boys, enjoy!
2
Boring... by jdmiller55
I was sad that I wasted my time and money to see it!
1
Nine by movieeeeees
This was the worst movie I have seen in a very long time. Twenty two bucks and two hours of my life that I cannot get back. The lead actor looks like a dirty, old pedophile. What a terrible disappointment
1
Don't waste your money by gocamovie2day
I don't normally take the time to make movie comments but this was the worst film I have seen in my life. My wife and I walked out which we have never done before. The torture was too much to take. The fact that Hollywood thinks this is a good film shows just how non-mainstream they have become why they are confounded on why other non-critically acclaimed movies make it big.
5
Stunning movie with breathtaking performances by Kicky_Beret
This movie really wowed me. A hard story to move to the big screen, but somehow they pulled it off.
Fergie's scene was absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to give a standing O Penelope Cruz manages to be smoldering, adorable, and funny even through her character is tragic.
The self-absorbed penchant of an Itailan momma's boy-man is well portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis. Despite his slight build and somewhat hawkish appearance, when onscreen with each woman, his look of adoration / devilish glint makes this unravelling cheat sexy --you understand why each woman falls in love despite his active social life.
Marion's acting is off-the-charts, and her music number is a great shocking success. I think Nicole's performance was probably the weakest, but then again she had cheesy song and tie-it-up-with-a-quick knot storyline/relationship.
If are over 25 you will love this movie.