'Nine' is possibly the most stylish film Daniel Day Lewis has been cast in yet

'Nine' is so-called because all the action throughout the film takes place over as many days, but hints at the past and the future because it is so well directed by Rob Marshall. The script which was co-adapted by Anthony Minghella has much of his signature stamped over it. 'Nine' tells the story of a famous Italian director as he goes through the motions of artistic mindblock and personal failings, only to find out that the two are so closely intertwined it is a shock he never realised before it was too late.

The film oozes all the 's's you can positively squeeze into a film; sex, style, stamina, and stars. 'Nine' will keep you on your toes throughout the film, push you onto the edge of your seat and then throw you back onto your seat again from the jaw dropping sequences for the full duration of the film -and this isn't even taking into account the stellar cast.

Without the stars, this film would not have been what it is, a massive box office hit and a global success, but of course. Yet Daniel Day Lewis outshines his glittering female leads making 'Nine' exactly what it was on Broadway no doubt ( I haven't seen it) as it is on the big screen, as so many films of its genre have attempted to be, but failed.

Day Lewis's is convincing and brilliant as the womanising film director Guido Contini who is torn between art and love, wife and mistress, and his own capacity to please others around him or to go his own path. Essentially Contini is going through a mid-life crisis, but doing it in style. Day Lewis captures the essence of the tortured, artistic Italian man as Contini, singing and less dancing, more gliding his way through the role, which fits him like a glove. The audience revels in his love affairs, laughs at his quips, and feels the pangs of pain which pull at Contini.

Yet Guido Contini is a difficult character to empathise with. In one of the most moving scenes, Contini walks over to his grief-struck wife Luisa (played by the brilliantly demure Marion Cotillard) as she lies in bed after she discovers his love affair with the sultry Carla (also played by an on-form Penelope Cruz). Instead of consoling his wife, Contini insists blindly that the affair never went on; placing the weight of the emotion in this scene heavily on Luisa. At this point it would be very difficult to feel anything other than sympathy for Luisa due to the overbearing morality of the scene, yet as a member of the audience, I essentially felt pity for Contini. Such are the rare talents of Daniel Day-Lewis who can bring to life the vibrant and insatiable character of Guido Contini, who does everything excessively until he burns out.

It is difficult to have wished for a better cast. Judi Dench is brilliantly sassy as seamstress/costumier Lilli, who shelters Contini from the prying eyes of the paparazzi and producers out for Contini's much anticipated script. Dench has not shied away from her role and dances and sings her way through a musical number which can plaster a smile on any one's face. As for anyone who doubts her talents musically, she positively challenges her younger contemporaries to up their game for the rest of the film.

Luisa Contini is the loving and tortured wife of Guido, who maintains the "perfect Catholic wife" image on the surface of things and hides her pain under her practised smile for Guido's sake. Cotillard, in my opinion, is the best female in the cast, playing out her facade as the happily loved up wife of a famously unfaithful Italian director. Her pain translates well on the big screen, down to the very tips of her fingers in her musical solo, which as I do not want to give much away, is her make or break scene.

To rival Cotillard's brilliance is Penelope Cruz who plays the naive Carla, who can not understand why she will never have the place of Luisa in Contini's heart, even though she is his mistress. Cruz is excellent, in short. She goes from being the strong and sexually in control mistress to the lost and attention-starved woman who cannot understand why Contini's heart will never be hers.

Yet it is not only those Contini chooses to fall in love with him who do. Kate Hudson dazzles as Vogue journalist Stephanie, out for the perfect story and in awe of Contini's style. So much so that she sings a whole number about er, Contini's cinema style. Her role isn't pivotal in any way, but she is great and showcases never before seen talents.

Nicole Kidman glows in a role which was not too much of a stretch for her as she fits easily into the famous starlet gloves of Claudia Jensson. For those who have seen 'Moulin Rouge', expect the same again, to put it one way.

Finally, it must be said that Fergie can really perform throughout a sandy tambourine dance sequence. There is very little screen time for her to showcase her acting skills, but she scores highly for looking sultry, moody and fierce when she is on screen. As a talented singer and dancer, her skills bring to life the stage and props around her, and she eclipses her fellow dancers when she is in action.

'Nine' begins as a mystery, peaks as a dream, and closes with reality. It plays as thoughts would run through one's head, smoothly and with no pauses in between, and this is what makes the film brilliant.

Happy new year and thank you!

I hope no one reading this is feeling worse for wear after last night...

I would just like to wish my followers a brilliant and fantastic 2010, and say a big thank you to each of you for finding time to keep up with my blog. It's been a great year for news, and I'm humbled you have taken time out to read my outlandish thoughts and general drivel.

I hope indeed that you get what you work for this 2010!

Cindy xxx