Always one on the hunt for the controversial a work colleague introduced me to 9 Songs. What's it about I asked? A lot of sex and 9 songs was the reply. Being as the person I had asked was a "STUDENT" I thought that maybe he was being a little bitchy, because he after all is the worst sort of student, a film student.
What did throw me back a lot is that 9 songs is literally as the movie was described. A couple meet at a concert where we are subjected to a moment of live music, this is where the movie switches from being a movie to a concert. Next the same couple have sex, and a very, very brief glimpse of story. Onto another concert, more sex, more concert, more sex. As you can see a pattern has been formed.
9 songs is no more or no less anything other than a wank-fest. it's a bit of medium level porn disguised as a story. Its apparently very art house, and very clever; if this is the case however my very existence is in fact wasted. The characters Matt (Kieran O'Brien) and Lisa (Margo
Stilley) are not an attractive couple, she is described as being beautiful if this is the case every woman on every high street is a super model. Both seem totally devoid of character (is this their acting or the script?) as a result you cant bond with them, or make a comparison to your own life through their eyes. Having been confronted by their respective unattractiveness we are then treated to close ups of his unattractive penis, and her unattractive vagina. I know what your thinking, and yes most do kind of look the same but here the grainy, dark use of film kind of make them look a bit dirty. You really wouldn't be wanting to go down any sort of sexual path with this two. When you think things are sinking down a certain path too far we are then treated to an up close shot of his ejaculating penis LOVELY! From here on things only get worse, believe it or not that moment was the highlight (apparently).
I cant deny that on the odd occasion the movie is slightly titillating, but this is in the early stages of the movie. And even then in reflection I had to question myself on my reasons for watching this movie. I soon realised I watched it purely to see what all the fuss was about; and I feel pretty appalled at myself for doing so. Generally I watch movies I want to watch, I pay little attention to impressions of others, reviews (ironic to say on this site ), or the publicity vehicles that follow movies because generally I tend to move in different circles. Through the 60 odd minutes this movie lasted I looked away in disgust, fast forwarded because I never liked the songs, and even considered at one point ejecting the disc. This movie offers nothing, it gives you nothing its all about the taking; and if you have invested money in this you have certainly been taken. To me a movie is about escapism, whether it be bleak, whether it be fantastic; but the purpose of indulging in the lives of those that are less interesting then your own completely baffles me. I hope that reading this you have better sex than this couple, and that you certainly have a more interesting life; for if not I have to ask what's the point. I should point out, there is a secondary sub ploy about Matts desire to go to Antarctica, which I assume he achieves either that or he has a very active imagination; and even when he does he does so alone, making his life seem even more depressing.
9 Songs is a publicity vehicle only it gives Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream, Super Furry Animals and Michael Nyman a bit of attention; and of course caused a stir because of the gratuitous sex shown within. And I guess importantly for director Michael Winterbottom moves him away from being a standard director to an art house one.
Special features:
Introduction by Tom Dewe Matthews, author of 'Censored: What They Didn't Allow You To See And Why - The Story Of Film Censorship In Britain' This is kind of churned up waffel that we have all heard in the past. I'd sooner see an updated version of the BBC's Empire Of The Censors, to include 9 songs. Instead we get this, inflated opinion of what the movie is all about. And how bad censorship is within the UK. This is all old news, move on!!!!!
Interviews with director Michael Winterbottom and actors Kieran O'Brien & Margo Stilley: One of those "I had to make this movie because it was deeply important" style discussions, nothing to do with the fact that she was so unknown she couldn't get arrested or because he was so flat broke and desperately trying to pay for his coke habit. Not but because this is important movie making: what is important I guess is that it shows how to stick it to the establishment.
'Just The Songs': the option to watch the concert footage separately. For me a definite NO! Having endured some of the "songs" during the movie by this time I had simply had enough.
Theatrical trailer: "She Was Beautiful" the voice of Kieran rings over the top of some brief sex scenes and snippets of the concerts. Some times a trailer is better than the movie, this is testament to that statement.
9 Songs is available from play.com for £5.99; but take my advice don't bother.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
Production Year: 1992 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon, David Bowie, Def Leppard, Extreme, Elton John, Bob Geldof
It's pretty reassuring to know we've got someone to count on to give poor arthouse films the trashing they deserve. The reviews kept talking about the music - and when the music's the best thing about a film, y'know it's something to avoid. Cheers for backing up my unfounded and illogical distain.
little_red_hen 22.02.2007 16:14
Thanks, I have no intention of watching stuff like this - always did have my prudish side! Karen
A true landmark in British mainstream cinema, 9 Songs is arguably the most sexually ... more
explicit film to be awarded an 18 certificate by the BBFC.Directed by the award-winning Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, In This World, Wonderland), the film...
A true landmark in British mainstream cinema, 9 Songs is arguably the most sexually ... more
explicit film to be awarded an 18 certificate by the BBFC. Directed by the award-winning Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, In This World, Wonderland) , the fi...
Feb 10th, 2007
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
