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'Nine': trailer preview

Tom Huddleston takes a look (and offence) at the trailer for new Rob Marshall film 'Nine'

Two words guaranteed to strike fear into the heart of any right-thinking moviegoer: ‘musical remake’. Two more: ‘Rob Marshall’. Yes, the ‘Chicago’ director’s long-heralded musical remake of Fellini’s ‘81/2’ – retitled ‘Nine’ – has its first trailer, and it’s fair to say we’re not enthused.

The film has its attractions. Firstly, there’s Daniel Day-Lewis in his first all-singing, all-dancing role as self-involved, woman-baiting movie director Guido Contini. Then there are the women around him – the eponymous ‘Nine’ – whose ranks include Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren and, in a return to musical theatre after an absence of several decades, Dame Judi Dench.

But the trailer also gives ample cause for concern. Unsurprisingly, it looks to be a sumptuous visual extravaganza, with all the crushed velvet, heaving lace bustiers and sweeping camera moves that have plagued the genre since Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Moulin Rouge’. There’s clearly an element of self-reflexive soul-searching going on as well – we’re treated to repeated shots of Day-Lewis looking pained and angsty – but all this simply poses the question: was anyone out there really demanding a big-budget blend of ‘There Will Be Blood’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’?

The one song featured in the trailer – from Maury ‘who he?’ Yeston’s original score – adds fuel to the fear. It features parping Broadway brass and a wailing chorus, while the lyrics exhort the viewer to ‘Be Italian’, which seems to involve living for the moment and grasping life with both hands, rather than, say, involving oneself in systemic political corruption. Coupled with some slavishly reverent photography of red-tile villas and sun-kissed countryside, this looks to be steeped in the sort of obsequious Hollywood Europhilia that has infuriated actual Europeans since the days of Audrey Hepburn.

‘Nine’ is due for release in November.

Or, if the above trailer does not work, click here

Author: Tom Huddleston

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User comments on this story

Remy said...

@ Kate: The Fellini film is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I still can't wait for "Nine". It's not a remake of the film, but an adaptation of a musical inspired by it, and it was written by Anthony Minghella, directed by a very gifted director of musicals, and stars some of the finest actors of this - or any - era. It doesn't appear to be a movie for dimwits, and those who are already criticizing it sound like significantly bigger imbeciles than those who are keeping an open mind. Posted on Nov 06 2009 12:46

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Remy said...

What a completely idiotic, narrow-minded post. More infuriating than the trailer's supposed "Europhilia" is your lack of appreciation and ignorance of the musical genre. Do you want these characters to perform Broadway numbers in social realist settings while wearing frumpy clothes, and to be filmed with amateur camcorders? You don't know what you're talking about. Posted on Nov 06 2009 12:33

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Alberto said...

As usual when it comes to musicals, Time out is not afraid to show its total lack of knowledge or indeed respect, for the genre. Yes Tom, Nine the musical has existed for decades. I suggest you now listen to it prior to the release of the film so that you can write a more balanced review. When are you going to assign the review of these films to critics that actually know what they are talking about? Posted on May 25 2009 09:48

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Josh said...

This article is indeed full of inaccuracies and ignorance. You seem to be unaware that this musical has existed for several decades, and it's pretty stupid to say something specific like Dench returns to musical theatre after "absence of several decades" when she did a musical two years ago at the RSC. Posted on May 18 2009 00:18

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Kate said...

Ha! This review had me doubled over laughing after watching the trailer, and I couldn't agree more! But I suspect it will still appeal to 20-somethings who read chick-lit books picked up at the airport, who will never see the Fellini masterpiece. They'll just buy the Ann Summers tie-in range of knickers. Posted on May 17 2009 15:17

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Eric said...

If you knew anything at all about the musical, you would not have made such idiotic comments. Try a little research before coming off as basically uninformed. Posted on May 16 2009 16:19

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Amy said...

Great teaser trailer. Musicals are meant to be fun and this looks like fun. Maybe you should take that stick out of your arse. It is a fantastic teaser. Posted on May 15 2009 23:02

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