"Maybe the Grand Canal sequence in blazing color?" I agree, MB! A perfect spot for the Technicolor treatment.
I also don't mean to imply that the film needs to be filled with with cinematic gimmicks. Just a few good choice decisions here and there. It shouldn't be "Baz Luhrmann-ized."
Baz's approach works very well when his story and the emotions are very simple, strong and straight-forward. Then, they can be embellished and enhanced with innovative visual and aural "candy."
But NINE has a complex, non-linear storyline and multi-layered emotions from most of the characters. Too much "candy" will only confuse it.
I hope Marshall also takes the time to "linger" on the actors' faces. Show the raw emotion of each of these characters. THAT (to me) is were the wow-factor will come in. Not in running the camera around or in playing with VFX or SFX.
But seeing Louisa's face in stark, gritty, harshly-lit Black & White, lingering... while she sings, "Long ago... Someone else ago..."
...could be devastating.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22