Poster: Nine
Click for the big version over at Cinematical
It’s a sad state of affairs when the marketing for a movie I’m otherwise interested in makes me not want to see it. So it is with Rob Marshall’s Nine. First the recent musical number fell with a thud and now this wretched one sheet from Cinematical.
Forget about the ugly photoshopping. Why are the biggest names on the poster Rob Marshall, Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella? If you’re trying to sell this thing to people like me who have no familiarity with the Broadway show, you go with Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard. Yes I know they’re prominently pictured, but would non-movie obsessed types know who they are as they see this poster between the popcorn counter and the auditorium?
I try not to be fooled by marketing one way or the other (I often am anyway), but I at least enjoy an effort to stand out from the crowd. This poster practically begs you not to notice it.
UPDATE: Yahoo has one that is much much better (via Awards Daily)
Filed under: Marketing
Tags: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Nine, Penelope Cruz, Rob Marshall
I’m with you, Monsieur Crabcake.
To my eye, this looks badly designed and quite cluttered. NINE is supposed to be a highly anticipated, exciting movie that lots of people will be eager to see.
So I don’t understand why they didn’t work a little harder at putting out a better product.
But this is really what I wanted to say…
This has obviously been my Fellini year. Saw LA DOLCE VITA and AMARCORD for the first time in 2009.
Just saw 8 1/2 on line yesterday. TWICE.
Now I get it. If I had seen 8 1/2 before the other two, then I would have understood. Easily.
I wasn’t that enthralled the first time. But it really delighted me in many ways. You could also understand why Fellini (and that film in particular) has influenced so many other filmmakers since.
The second time it hit me much harder.
Suffice to say that 8 1/2 is pretty bloody spectacular. It’s infinitely rich, mysterious and compelling. There are no rules because it’s drenched in surrealism. But it’s a magnficent high wire act that never lets up.
I’m still thinking about it today.
If anything, I’m anticipating NINE more than I ever did. I’m glad I have this background to process because it will anchor my inevitable review next month.
I listened to samples of the Broadway cast recordings over at Amazon. Lovely music. But not too many truly memorable tunes aside from A CALL FROM THE VATICAN.
But this is the guy that directed CHICAGO, after all. I don’t think NINE will end up being a disappointment.
Hopefully not, at least…
What’d you think of the 2nd poster Miranda over at Yahoo? I thought it was much much better. There’s a third one floating around of just the women I’m not a big fan of, but I do like the 2nd one with the car and the poster on the wall.
8 1/2 didn’t instantly click with me the first time either. It’s one of those Holy Grail films you hear about and hear about and I sort of avoided it all through high school because it sounded like medicine. When I finally saw it I thought “Is that it?” but then I watched it again with adjusted expectations and it really started to click.
Craig, I think the one that’s over at Yahoo is the best by far.
Now that I’ve seen a variety of them (how many now – four…?) the one at Yahoo is definitely my favourite.
Interesting that you and I would have the same reactions to that poster and also to Fellini’s classic.
Not overly surprising though…
I was really lucky when, in college, my introduction to Fellini and other neorealists occurred in a film class conducted by two great Italian women. They provided general background, specific preliminary info, slides, much discussion, and plenty of feedback on written assignments.
It’s also nice to discover gems on one’s own, but when one is in his/her early 20s, expert help is helpful.
The other poster, with DDL on the couch, appeals to me.
I like the newer posters better than this one, too. 8 1/2 clicked for me instantly. It was one of the first–possibly the first–Criterion DVDs I ever rented, and I was just wowed, mesmerized. I watched the whole thing and then went right back and watched the commentary. I still think it’s brilliant. It may be my favorite film. Definitely in the top 5.
Never seen the Nine musical. Curious. I sort of see it as 8 1/2 Lite. Which isn’t necessarily bad, especially if it has its own personality and strengths.