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that is both unexpected and mind-boggling. It’s one of those movies you may need to see a few more times to fully understand. And even then, people will still have different opinions about its meaning. Is it religious? Philosophical? Existential? Maybe it’s all of the above. Some may be put off by the film’s lack of clear-cut answers (it does get a bit confusing), but others will revel in its mystery (it’s fun to look for the connections in each of the three stories). What I can tell you is this: themes of a creator’s relation to his creation are prevalent. Each story has Reynolds playing some type of creator: an actor creates a character, a writer creates a story, a videogame programmer creates a game. The metaphors, clues, and hints are hidden in each episodic segment.
Reynolds carries this movie beautifully, turning in three mature performances. This film is darker and more intellectual than perhaps any film he has done thus far, but it’s also a great indicator at what’s to come from this talented actor. McCarthy is charming in her roles as well, and it’s great to see her as the lead female being that she doesn’t have the conventional Hollywood “look”. Here’s hoping more filmmakers start thinking outside the box, opting for something more interesting than the standard skinny blonde. But then again, August has made this movie unconventional from the start in both structure and subject matter.
So just what does it all mean? That you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Movie Grade: B+
Synopsis:
John August, the acclaimed screenwriter of GO, BIG FISH, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and THE CORPSE BRIDE, makes his directorial debut with THE NINES, an intricately constructed intriguing blur of reality, virtual reality and metaphysical fantasy. The film unfolds in three parts, featuring the same actors in different (and in some ways overlapping) incarnations.
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