Be Italian: Nine the Musical turned Movie

Perhaps THE most stylish film of the upcoming Christmas season -- and the most star studded -- is the highly anticipated film Nine (Weinstein Company) scheduled to release on December 18th in LA and NY and everywhere else on Christmas Day.

Based on the Tony Award winning play of the same name, the film stars Daniel Day Lewis as Italian film director Guido Contini and the many many women in his life: his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his mother (Sophia Loren), his costume designer (Judi Dench), his muse (Nicole Kidman), the harlot from his youth (Fergie) and a fashion journalist (Kate Hudson).

The women of Nine

Brought by the creative team who gave us the musical Chicago, director Rob Marshall and production designer John Mhyre and set decorator Gordon Sim, the film has the look and feel of Fellini's 1963 film 8 1/2 (the original story) and La Dolce Vita (1963). The trailer is one of the best of the year (view here). Chicago won six Oscars (Best Picture, Best Costume and Best Art Direction among others) and no doubt Nine has the ability to follow in the musical's footsteps.

Lewis with Lily, his confidante and costume designer played by Judi Dench

Kate Hudson as an American fashion journalist a la Vogue

The Lady in Red: Penelope Cruz as the Mistress

Lewis with his movie wife, Luisa, played by Marion Cotillard (and gets to sing

the hit song My Husband Makes Movies)

Marcello Mastroanni as Guido in 8 1/2

The women in a fantasy dance sequence

Stay tuned for more...and as the film song goes, "Live today as if it may become your last!"

Photo Credits: Weinstein Company

P.S. On another note, I am sad to report the demise of the magazine Set Decor which showcased all the wonderful design work of set decorators in film and television. It will be missed but available online. This is becoming an all too familiar refrain in the print world. For more, see Set Decor online here. There is a great piece on the film Inglourius Basterds this month.