Ryan McNeil
While watching a mittful of DVD’s for the latest series of 1001 posts, I decided to double back and also work in one from last month’s cluster. Last month, one of the movies that was tapped for reaction pieces was Frederico Fellini’s 8 1/2. I didn’t write about it, but it wasn’t for lack of desire – I swear, no video store in Toronto had that sucker in stock in December.
So finally last week I get to see it, and along with deeply loving it, it also causes me to have an epiphany!
In case you didn’t know, this Italian classic is the ultimate source material for NINE. NINE is based on the broadway show, which is based on this film, which is based on Fellini’s own experience of trying to make a movie (get all that?). When I saw NINE independent of 8 1/2, I called it “a mess“. Now that I’ve seen 8 1/2, my position is slightly softened. Don’t get me wrong, I still think it’s a mess…but now I see it as a mess with a purpose.
8 1/2 is very surreal, introspective, and existential. On many occasions, the actual plot of the film stops dead in its tracks to allow the protagonist, Guido Anselmi, a few moments of his own memories, dreams, and fantasies. The problem is, the film doesn’t really give you much of a tip-off that the maestro has retreated into the quixotic recesses of his own imagination. Thus, the whole story can be a tad hard to follow the first time around.
Here’s where NINE comes in…
NINE tells almost exactly the same story, but with a few details tweaked. This time however, when the protagonist Guido Contini, retreats into his own brain, the results are marked by musical numbers. The overall plot is easier to follow – it’s details dumbed down for the lowliest among us to understand (Guilty Your Honour).
What I mean to say is…NINE is the Cliff’s Notes version of 8 1/2. It sums it all up into a quick little study guide, and allows us to fully understand the masterpiece before the final exam. 8 1/2 is much better, much more fully realized, and much more sublime…but if one were to go in blind, they might not be able to soak it all in while trying to keep up with it. Thus, I say it again – NINE is a mess with purpose.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to go back and tweak my review now…I just believe it’s a little bit of credit the otherwise maligned film is due. It’s like telling an english class to rent CLUELESS before beginning their Jane Austin unit. Kinda cool, donchathink?
Well, as much as I love Jane Austin, I also really enjoy watching Clueless. So really its no surprise that I liked Nine 😉 I haven't seen 8 1/2 yet but now it will surely go on my Netflix list.
The same thing happened to me when watching Marie Antoinette. The first time I saw it I just though "Where is the story?" Then I read the biography that the film is based on and suddenly it all made sense. When I saw the film for the second time, I loved it!
Now I guess it is a valid point that a film should stand for itself. It is a bit stupid if it is only enjoyable if you saw the film it is based on or read the book but sometimes it really helps to understand the movie.
Glad you liked it; I have been waiting to see what you had to say about it. As good as it is, it isn’t even my favourite Fellini movie, that would be La dolce vita.
Hi Hatter, it's interesting that your view of NINE is affected after seeing 8-1/2, I haven't seen it yet but my guest blogger reviewed it a while ago: http://wp.me/pxXPC-zF When we chatted about it, we kind of figured NINE probably won't live up to Fellini's movie, but how much 'down' from it I have yet to find out for myself. I still might enjoy NINE for the actors' performances, whilst I might not 'get' 8-1/2 as much if it's too surreal or bizarre. So yes, I'm in the 'lowliest' category too I guess.
Personally I think 8 1/2 is one I'll enjoy more on later viewings, but I was really bored by it my first time through (granted, that does happen often with me). It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.
As if!
No, but your comparison of Austen to Fellini is apt. Anything that will get people to watch more movies, well hey, I'm al for that.
I saw Nine first also, but after seeing 8 1/2 it actually made me think less of Nine! It seems so much more shallow and pointless when compared to the original, and I think Day-Lewis' performance becomes more of a caricature when stacked up against Marcello Mastroianni.
@ Vanessa… Good point, but the weird thing is that 8.5/NINE is the reverse of the norm. Usually it's get the back story and you can enjoy the interpretation, this time for me it was see the interpretation and it adds to the enjoyment of the back story.
Weird, no?
@ Number Six… Can't wait to buy myself a copy! LA DOLCE VITA is up next on my watchlist.
@ RTM… You aren't so lowly. Give NINE a peek, just go in with low expectations. Once you've done that, track down a copy of 8.5 and thank me later.
@ Univarn… Indeed, give it another spin sometime. You might get more from it a second time around.
@ Big Mike… Whatever! (I think that's as much valley girl as I can dish out).
@ Alex… I see what you're saying – 8.5 certainly didn't make me like NINE any more…it just gave the film a little bit of purpose.
Lordy, all this talk of 8 1/2 makes me want to listen to "Everybody Hurts"
It's like telling an english class to rent CLUELESS before beginning their Jane Austin unit. Kinda cool, donchathink?
LOL.
I haven't seen Nine yet, but it's definitely a film that I'd like to see some time down the road. There's a lovely cast, some decent music, and it's a gorgeous film too. I loved 8 1/2. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous film–not just how it looks, but the way you really got to pick Guido's mind. It's a fascinating, refreshing experience.
For me, Nine is noteworthy for being the first Day-Lewis movie in which he truly stank! Because of his method of disappearing into his roles by staying in character for the duration of the shoot (as in My Left Foot when furious crew members had to hand-feed him baby food!) I wondered how he'd prepare for the genius/lecher/liar/noble artist role that Marcello did so magnificently in 8 1/2. Apparently he couldn't!
@ Marcy… Glad I can entertain. Take my advice, if you loved 8 1/2, give NINE a skip. There's nothing about it you'll enjoy.
@ Margaret… I used to say that Day-Lewis was incapable of making a bad movie…but then along came NINE. I said it in my review and I'll say it again, it felt like DDL was doing a bad impression of me doing a bad impression of my Italian father-in-law.