11.09.08
Nine?
Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Fergie, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day-Lewis’ head and Kate Hudson. In addition, some random in the top right hand corner. Shrug.
“Nine,” Rob Marshall’s upcoming musical with the best ensemble cast of any musical ever based on Fellini’s indomitable “8½,” lands itself a first look picture and….I’m not digging it. I don’t like how Daniel Day Lewis’ position in the photo, assuming it really is him, shows us nothing but the back of his head, I don’t like how Fergie’s thighs are so widely spread I can almost see inside of her, I don’t like how subdued Marion Cottilard looks and I don’t quite understand why Nicole Kidman is the only actress to be highlighted by a spotlight.
I also don’t like how difficult it is identifying Judi Dench. And Kate Hudson looks damn fine, how about highlighting that? Whatever, I have no idea what the point of this picture is. Regardless, although it seems to have a passing resemblance to the “Chicago” set up, which I will admit I loved, the film is probably going to be originally amazing, interesting at the very least, and as the months roll by from this point onwards, far more mouth-watering images will be released and this monstrosity will hopefully be written out of memory. [ONTD via Inside The Gold]
Justin said,
November 9, 2008 at 11:54 am
Shitty picture for sure, but whatever, this is going to be amazing! That cast, I mean, come on. My mouth is watering at the thought.
J.D. said,
November 9, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I mean, this is just a publicity still, right? What are the odds the characters are gonna show up like that in the film? It’s an orgasmic tease and I like it.
Gawd, Penélope’s smokin’. *drools*
Michael said,
November 9, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Would someone please explain to me why Fergie is even on the set?
Nick Plowman said,
November 9, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Oh my word, isn’t she just? I finally saw VCB and Elegy this weekend, and I adore her more than ever, she is amazing.
Sure, the image is a tease, and I guess I am looking forward to seeing more (read: better) images from the film in due time, so it works.
Yes Mike, good freaking question. Still stunned by that myself, I mean we could eat our words if she turns out to actually be good, but it is doubtful.
Kerry said,
November 9, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Not the best publicity still ever, but that cast! *faint*
Pat said,
November 9, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I’m going to guess that Kidman is highlighted because her character is a sort of Muse to Guido, so he kind of worships and idolizes her. (”Nine” takes a lot of liberties with “8 1/2″ – it’s not a strictly faithful adaptation. )
I have mixed feeling about this one. “Nine” was a wonderful stage musical, but putting it on film now invites direct comparisons to “8 1/2″ and that’s going to be a very tough standard to live up to.
Dame James Henry said,
November 9, 2008 at 5:51 pm
This picture looks it was taken on a camera phone or some other shitty device and not really an official photo. That being said, Dame Judi Dench is rocking the pant suit. And Sophia Loren?! She looks smokin’ for her (or any) age. Damn this cast is amazing (give or take Kate Hudson).
Kerry said,
November 9, 2008 at 8:53 pm
If Hudson is “Almost Famous” good, I’ll be thrilled. She’s mostly been doing stupid rom coms since then, but this could be a step in the right direction for her which is great, no?
Nick Plowman said,
November 9, 2008 at 9:45 pm
How awesome would it be to like be a fly on the wall (or an extra I guess) during the filming of something like this? Just thinking of all the hair samples, used Kleenex, sweaty clothes and delish backstage conversations that one could collect makes me feel incredibly warm all over, in a stalkerish kind of way. A part of me still believes this movie with this cast is a myth, and all this photo can be is a devilish tease and nothing more.
Dorothy Porker said,
November 9, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I just had to pipe in about Penelope: After watching VCB, I became convinced she’ll win the Supporting Actress Oscar next year. The woman is shockingly good — she really should just make films in her native Spanish. VCB and especially Volver have made me fans for life!
And yeah, the picture is a bit…blah. But it’s a promo shot, methinks, and not a still. Having said that, now I feel like I know Fergie way more than I ever wanted to. Ew.
Matthew Lucas said,
November 9, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Still looking forward to this like OMG
Daniel said,
November 10, 2008 at 4:10 am
Hmm…well some of that talent can’t be denied, but Fergie, for me, is about the same as having Britney Spears in there. One of these things does not fit. Her position, as you say, also isn’t the most flattering.
But I should really shut up considered I mostly liked Chicago and I know nothing about Nine anyway!
jennybee said,
November 10, 2008 at 5:52 am
It’s not the best picture, but it looks like it’s mainly meant to get people psyched about the ensemble. God, I hope this is good. 8 1/2 is one of my all-time favorite films, and I also loved Chicago. Never seen Nine, though. To-die-for cast, even with the presence of Fergie and Kate Hudson, both to whom I’m going to give the benefit of the doubt in this case until I see it.
I had hoped there would be a DVD of the stage musical on Netflix, but no such luck.
Mike M said,
November 10, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Que Pasa Barca
Vera said,
November 11, 2008 at 7:05 am
I love the musical Nine, and I was shocked and thrilled to hear that it was going to be made into a movie- however, 1) the people who loved Mamma Mia! are going to be slack-jawed with confusion over this one, and 2) I am still fuming over how Rob Marshall fucked up the brilliant stage musical that was Chicago. So, we’ll just see.
Of course I’ll be in attendance on opening day.
(Did you know that Dame Judi played Sally Bowles in the original London cast of Cabaret? Or that she was brilliant as Desirée in a production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music?)