I think musicals by their very nature are chick flicks, and “9” is a great one. I saw it on Broadway when it came out in 1982 with Raul Julia in the lead. The play was an adaptation of Fellini’s autobiographical film 8 1/2 starring my favorite Italian Marcello Mastroianni as the director going through a creative crisis surrounded by all his women — mistress, muse, mother, agent, etc. Now we’re coming full circle back to film with “Nine.” Daniel Day Lewis as Fellini looks great (though steamy Javier Bardem was supposed to play the role but backed out) and the women in his life are a fabulous group of actresses. I think director Rob Marshall did a fantastic job with “Chicago,” so I have my fingers crossed. The cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, and Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson. But of course we have to wait until the Oscar race is on. Release Date: November 25, 2009
Mainstream Chick loves musicals and will certainly go see this one. But my early prediction (based strictly on the trailer) is that this particular movie musical won’t come close to the success of the likes of “Chicago”, “Dreamgirls” or “Moulin Rouge” (or even – gasp – High School Musical”). It has a bit of an artsy/independent look to it that may not capture the mainstream audience. As Arty Chick said – time will tell!
There is also a new “Fame” coming out. I agree that “Nine” may be less mainstream, but I hope the audience comes out for it. I am really looking forward to it, no doubt more than most musicals since I saw it on Broadway and I loved Fellini. I don’t imagine most of the public at large has seen one of his movies and most people under 30 would probably scratch their heads, “Fellini who?” On the other hand, I think a lot of men may just be willing to see a movie about a man who is surrounded by hot women dancing around scantily clad.
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I can’t wait to see it! I don’t care what anybody says, Fellini rocks!
I am looking forward to the remakes of “Fame” and “Footloose”, if only to remind today’s youth that “High School Musical” (1,2 and 3) was not all exactly groundbreaking! 🙂
[…] **Nine – Musical adaptation of Fellini – Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, Stacy Ferguson See my hopes. […]