Cast of NINE on Oprah right now — Page 2

I think Nicole sounded just fine. I don't think any Hollywood actress would have been able to handle the song in the original key. Not even Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was originally going to play the role. She probably would have had the same key as Nicole, and she's a far more experienced singer. The song in the original key is just not an easy sing.

Updated On: 11/19/09 at 01:32 AM

Everything about it seems delicious so far. But how HOT/adorable is Kate Hudson??

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Wow, that sounds amazing.

The film opens with Overture Delle Donne, right? How was that? No one seems to be mentioning it.

Fantastic to hear. I remember at one point there was talk that the overture was going to be instrumental. So glad it's sung!

Does Lewis sing in UNUSUAL WAY? Or is it just Kidman's solo now?

Updated On: 11/19/09 at 02:33 AM

How was Cruz? She was the one that got me really excited when I first heard the news of the movie.

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Do you guys think Cruz will get an Oscar nomination for this?

Chris and MB, thanks for the comments on the film?
What do you guys think are the Oscars prospects of the film? What was everyone's reaction to it?
Also, do you think it'll do well money-wise? I have no doubt it's a great film but I really want it to do good.

Those clips on Oprah were fantastic. I really loved all the scenes they showed. I truly loved Penelope Cruz' voice in "A Call from the Vatican" and Marion Cotillard's number looks brilliant! Was also surprised by how nice a different "Unusual Way" sounds. However, I think Kate Hudson is going to be a scene-stealer in this one. "Cinema Italiano" is a great song and she's having a blast on that stage!

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I think the movie will be nominated up the wazoo. In any year, it'd get tech nominations and, though it ain't deep or emotional, in such a bad year with so many Best Pic slots, it's a shoo-in for one of those, and possibly in the acting categories.

Cruz' character may be seen as too close to the one in Vicky Christina Barcelona and she may compete w herself for a nom, given Broken Embraces (in the Best Actress category). Maybe Cotillard will get one. I don't think anyone will care that Kidman's no Benanti or Burch. But she doesn't have all that much to do and her face still registers as unnatural (which they deal with in the film in a smart way), so I doubt she'll get the love that's probably coming to many of the other ladies.

It's a big production which will help it land awards and get audiences. Its focus on the creative process may hurt it with the masses but it's stylish and fun. Marshall may get the award since he didn't for Chicago, but while before he was competing with the memory of Fosse now it's Fellini and kinda Fosse, whose All That Jazz was also very 8 1/2.

All in all, I don't think we have to worry too much about its prospects. It'll do well.

That's funny because I felt she was much better in The Others than she was in The Hours.

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Oh I think it will get a number of Oscar nominations - and in the year of the 10 Best Picture line up - a Best Picture nod seems easily attainable.

I thought the whole cast was wonderful. I will be completely honest and say that the singing across the board takes a back seat to the story telling. Those of you looking for the most glorious vocal recording of the songs will do better with your various Broadway and concert cast recordings.

Lewis, Kidman, Cruz and Cotillard do wonderful work - but none of them is going to VOCALLY surpass for you what others have done with the material.

Its hard to say about the Oscar nominations for the performances - its such an ensemble piece. The three stand outs are probably Cotillard (who's MY HUSBAND MAKES MOVIES is brilliantly filmed) , Cruz who is hilarious and heartbreaking, and of course Dench, who plays, well Dame Judi, but fabulously.

I'd say it will definitely get nods for Picture, Art Direction, Costumes, Song, and will be a strong contender for Cinematography, Editing, Director and perhaps 2-3 acting noms.

I think again you have to understand why sometimes the keys are lowered for films. Its not always about the actor not being able to sing the material in the original keys (as I said above, at the talk back last night, Kidman said that she recorded the song in the original key and they decided last minute to have her do it down the octave)

A lot of times its done for pure understandability of the lyrics. "A Very Unusual Way" has always been a little difficult to understand in the original key ("How could I ever forget you once you have touched my...what?").

What matters is that the scene is powerful in the film and that Kidman is able to parlay the idea of a conflicted muse perfectly. Marshall was spot on right in casting her - she IS Claudia, the somewhat aloof, mysterious, international movie star/goddess. The film needed her presence.

I taped "Oprah" at 1am this morning, so I'll watch it when I get home tonight from work. Can't wait to see it! It looks and sounds great!

"My Husband Makes Movies" was definitely for me one of the highlights of the film. I just loved the way it was structured for camera, and Cotillard's vulnerability was terrific.