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Story

Nine is a vibrant musical story in which the main character is a famous Italian movie director, Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis). Contini has reached a midlife crisis. He is trying to balance the relationships he has with various women, including his wife Luisa (Marion Cottilard), his mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz), his leading lady Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his mother (Sophia Loren) and others. He is also trying to keep up his artistic creativity. Contini finds he can’t write a script for his latest movie. He gets little support from those around him and becomes increasingly desperate.

Themes

Unfaithfulness in marriage

Violence

This movie contains some violence. For example:

  • The young Guido is caned by a priest for paying a woman to dance for him and his friends.
  • Carla takes an overdose and nearly kills herself.

Sexual references

This movie contains some sexual references. For example:

  • Carla tells Guido she’ll wait for him ‘with her legs open’.
  • Girls in skimpy clothing dance in very sexy ways.
  • Carla touches her body all over while she dances.
  • Louisa does a striptease dance while male dancers handle her body.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

This movie contains some use of substances. For example, characters drink and smoke throughout the movie.

Nudity and sexual activity

This movie contains some partial nudity and skimpy clothing.

Product placement

None of concern

Coarse language

This movie contains some coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Nine is a lively and colourful musical adapted from a stage show. It is full of wonderfully choreographed dance sequences. It contains a stellar cast and some surprising performances.

The main messages from this movie are about owning up to the consequences of living a self-indulgent and arrogant lifestyle.

This movie could give you the chance to talk with your children about the real-life consequences of infidelity and having several lovers in your life.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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