THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BE ITALIAN.
After a recent string of failures, famous Italian film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) is looking to all the women in his life for inspiration…This filmization of the Broadway musical (that was originally inspired by Federico Fellini’s 8½ (1963)) may be a disappointment coming from the director who made the excellent Chicago (2002)… but it’s still worth a look. Shot at Cinecittà (where Fellini made movies), the filmmakers expertly stage and photograph beautiful scenarios that are as much eye candy as all the women. A weak story about a suffering male ego is boosted by a few engaging musical moments.
2009-U.S. 118 min. Color-B/W. Widescreen. Directed by Rob Marshall. Screenplay: Michael Tolkin, Anthony Minghella. Book: Arthur Kopit. Songs: Maury Yeston (“Cinema Italiano”, “Folies Bergère”, “Be Italian”, “Take It All”). Cinematography: Dion Beebe. Production Design: John Myhre. Costume Design: Colleen Atwood. Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis (Guido Contini), Marion Cotillard (Luisa Contini), Penélope Cruz (Carla), Judi Dench, Fergie, Kate Hudson… Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren.
Trivia: Javier Bardem and Catherine Zeta-Jones were allegedly considered for parts.
