Nine Casting — Page 4

Variety said he was already offered the role, so unless he turns it down he has the part.

And MB---There is no reason Saraghina should be a specific age.

But then again, LuPone is no Kirstie Alley...

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Updated On: 8/24/07 at 08:38 AM

I think Saraghina needs to at least be pre-menopausal. She also needs to have an overt, earthy, brazen, campy sexuality. LuPone has never had that.

^Alley does have Scientology. That is steamed up something at the very least

Michael Bennett - I am actually trying to imagine Patti as any of those things. Not a pretty site.

Updated On: 8/24/07 at 10:47 AM

Well, "campy" is a totally wrong adjective for Saraghina anyway.

You have to picture the kind of woman that would teach "sexuality" to a bunch of nine-year-olds. She's an outcast, a deviant and a tramp. She's not "fun" or "campy" unless you want to Disneyfy it.

I could see LuPone playing this much better than the squealy faux-flirt Alley.

Plus, you know, she could actualy SING it.

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Updated On: 8/24/07 at 10:52 AM

Yes, I guess we're just seeing it two different ways.

This is NOT camp to me at all.

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If you find beat-up, homeless whores who take money from little boys to dance provocatively for them "campy," be my guest.

As with most Fellini films, there are a lot of "layers" going on here... to sum it up as superficial "camp" would be unfortunate.

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Updated On: 8/24/07 at 11:13 AM

I'm not saying there isn't a sense of joy or celebration to her scenes and her character, but "camp" to me suggests a parody, lampoon or send-up.

I don't see this or Fellini "sending up" anything here. I see this scene starting in the gutter and working its way up to thrilling and fantastic. That's what's so great about it. Comedic flair? Yes. Camp? Not at all. This isn't Connie & Carla or Hairspray.

And I don't see how Alley could ever be sexy. She's a beautful-looking, robust woman, but with as much sexuality as Minnie Mouse. (and the same squeal) ...or the loud gal sitting on the end stool in the bar, next to all her "fun" gay fellas.

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Updated On: 8/24/07 at 12:10 PM

as much sexuality as Minnie Mouse. (and the same squeal) ...or the loud gal sitting on the end stool in the bar, next to all her "fun" gay fellas.

Best12, I laughed for about five minutes after reading that.
This is an interesting discussion you're having about Saraghina. I find the Rumba scene to have different layers, at first it's clearly comedic, the way she reveals her cleavage, the way she moves her hips, the make-up, the horrible hair. Then, you think about the actual moment and this woman (at least I do, perhaps I'm overanalyzing it) and you realize that she's basically a whore that is way past her prime, we're laughing AT her not with her, and that makes her a bit pathetic.
However, I don't think this is in the show. The Saraghina in NINE (at least the way I judge from Kathi Moss' brilliant Tony performance) is incredibly erotic, earthy, funny, streetsmart, if grotesque.
I definitely see Alley playing the film Saraghina, though I think she'd pretty much be playing the tabloid version of herself. LuPone would be a bold choice, she'd be erotic (yes, after seeing her spark up quite a sexual chemistry with Boyd Gaines in GYPSY I believe she could be an erotic Saraghina), imposing, a real big Italian matron. However, after seeing the clips from the film and seeing once again the amazing Tony clip (the choreography and Moss' vocals/acting makes it one of my favorite Tony performances), I'm even more convinced that Sara Ramirez is the most suitable actress for the role.

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ray---Nice post. The more I think about it, I could see Ramirez in the part. I guess my initial aversion to her was "Oh, no, another Latin in an Italian movie!" At least LuPone "reads" Italian to me (not to mention it's her heritage).

...which is silly. Ramirez could do it, I agree.

...if she's available! TV has given her a bit of recognizability, she has a Tony for respectability, and she can SING.

I'd be happy if they cast her.

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Besty, LuPone's Italian heritage is definitely one of the reasons I think she'd make a great Saraghina. Of all the actors we know are being considered there are no Italians. I think the only one is Laura Benanti and I doubt she'd get cast in the role when she's competing against some major Hollywood star power.
However, at least Sara Ramirez very much has the look, the pipes, and the right style of acting and presence to be part of the world of NINE.
I think the fact she has a much-beloved role in one of the most popular and acclaimed TV shows at the time could help her get cast in the role. She's one of my favorite parts of GREY'S ANATOMY and I really find her to have just about all the characteristics I want in my Saraghina. Hearing her sing "Be Italian" would be a dream come true (if they don't do away with that song, that is).
On a completely different note, Juliette Binoche supposedly auditioned for the movie, it's sad her name isn't being mentioned in any of the reports. I think she'd have made a great LaFleur.

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I think a lot of the casting of the film will ultimately depend on Marshall's vision. My hunch, purely speculative, is that he will go back and borrow certain elements and style of 8 1/2. Marion Cotillard, should the casting rumour be true, is very in the Amouk Aimee mode. And the earlier reports of Zelweggar as Carla are understandable if you look at that role as it was depicted by Sandra Milo in the original film.

But, of course Liliane is an invention purely of the musical. I don't really think Caron or Deneuve or Judi Dench (totally wrong) are really right for the role, as much as I love them. They are too old, and I agree don't really evoke the right feel.

I think the trick is that we are assuming this role needs to be played by a French actress. Part of me wishes that Marshall would go for a more ecclectic cast of "entertainers" and not just A list movie stars. A movie of NINE could be deliriously wonderful and over the top if it included a true Fellini assortment of bizarre personalities.

In that mode, and I know I will get flack for this, the first person who popped into my mind was Grace Jones! Yes, crazy Grace Jones the amazon model/french singer/action movie star/dancer. I mean could you imagine her in in Follies Bergere? A sort of lethal Josephine Baker. It would certainly be eye popping! Here is a recent pic of her:



That said, I think realistic choices are probably people french film actresses like Sophie Marceau or Fanny Ardent.

I love Rossellini, but its hard to imagine her tearing up the screen with "Follies Bergere" - she's just not that kind of actress. She'd make a wonderful Guido's Mother if Loren isn't available.