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The Nines

Three sets of stories in altered realities

By Geoff Berkshire

August 31, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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“The Nines” consists of three separate stories that unfold in alternate realities: A TV star (Ryan Reynolds, “The Amityville Horror”) sentenced to house arrest only has contact with a protective publicist (Melissa McCarthy, “Gilmore Girls”) and a seductive neighbor (Hope Davis, “American Splendor”). A Hollywood writer (Reynolds) works with a duplicitous network executive (Davis) on the pilot for a TV series starring his best friend (McCarthy). And, finally, a married couple (Reynolds, McCarthy) is stranded in the woods when the husband meets a stranger (Davis).

Big question: How will audiences react to a movie that is itself one big question?

Catch it: Like a David Lynch film without the seedy underbelly, “The Nines” is a true mind-bender. It shares some traits with writer John August’s cult favorite “Go”—including the three-story structure—but remains strikingly original from start to finish. The three stars demonstrate a variety of skills in their various roles and create believably real characters, even though some of them may simply be fantasy.

Skip it: For his directorial debut, August essentially invites the audience into his brain—a concept that some might find self-indulgent, or just plain creepy.

Bottom line: Unlike many other conscious-altering movies, the pieces of this puzzle ultimately do come together (even if their exact meaning remains open to interpretation). That gives the film a strong sense of purpose, but the fun of figuring it all out is what makes “The Nines” truly alluring.

Bonus: Looking for an alternative explanation for global warming? As a character helpfully shares at one point: “Koalas are telepathic. Plus they control the weather.” We always suspected they were up to something…

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