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Nine Lives (2004) Reviews

Nine Lives (2004)
Member Rating:  
Filmmaker Rodrigo García takes an unusual look into the lives of nine different women in this episodic drama. Each of the film's nine sequences has been staged as a single shot, using the Steadicam system to allow the camera to follow the action fluidly and without cuts. In these short episodes (lasting between ten and 14 minutes), Holly (Lisa Gay Hamilton) has a brief moment of reverie while confronting the specters of her past in her old neighborhood. Maggie (Glenn Close) escorts her young daughter Maria (Dakota Fanning) to a cemetery as they visit the graves of their family members. Ruth (Sissy Spacek) is a married woman contemplating an affair while visiting Henry (Aidan Quinn) in his hotel room. Diana (Robin Wright Penn) unexpectedly runs into an old boyfriend, Damian (Jason Isaacs), while shopping for groceries. Camilla (Kathy Baker) is a hospital patient awaiting surgery for cancer. Samantha (Amanda Seyfried) is a teenage girl who helps look after her handicapped father Larry (Ian McShane). Sandra (Elpidia Carrillo) is a female prison inmate who is expecting a visit from her children. Sonia (Holly Hunter) lashes out at her boyfriend Martin (Stephen Dillane) when she finds out he's been cheating on her. And Lorna (Amy Brenneman) has an unexpectedly moving encounter with her ex-husband Andrew (William Fichtner) as she pays her respects to his second wife, who has just passed away. Nine Lives premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, (more)
Director(s):
Rodrigo García
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(42 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Scott C.

The cast is terrific and even the ones that I didn't recognize did an amazing job. There is no conclusion to any of the stories, you only get a feel for the trauma and/or decisions that face these nine women, but it was a real pleasure to watch and I would highly recommend it.

Yes   |   No


Vaun C.

I agree with Rhett...the actors did a fine job but you're left wondering what happens to them. I expected to revisit each scene to see its conclusion. A major disappointment

Yes   |   No


Gary D.

How can people call this a waste of time? Nine separate stories. Not connected. So what? That is like comparing short stories to novels. They are different. HELLO... Acting is nothing short of fantastic here. This is not a chick's flick. Anybody who likes drama will like this. I liked it better than my wife and she enjoyed it. Some films drag on and on while trying to make a point. Why bother if can do it in short period of time. I think this was in top ten films of year on Roger Ebert's list. Rightfully so. Very interesting canmera work and directing also. The script is excellent. Don't be afraid - take a chance with this one.

Yes   |   No


Kimberly R.

Some of the best acting you'll see in 2005, especially Robin Wright Penn and Glenn Cose. Rodrigo Garcia is very effective in delivering real insight into womens' lives. A must see!

Yes   |   No


James V.

The master of the subtle vignette, writer/director Rodrigo Garcia follows up his amazing "Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her" with his new NINE LIVES. Featuring some of the best actresses & actors North America has to offer, the movie gives each the chance to shine. The stories here occasionally connect, but only peripherally, and they don't add up in the same way that the more woven-together stories in the earlier film did. No matter: the result is equally wonderful. Garcia enjoys stopping his scenes a moment or two short of expected--adding a layer of mystery & alerting the viewer that reaching the destination may not compare to making the journey. He also understands/appreciates women better than any director I know. Consequently, the actresses here do sterling work and have been given appropriately glowing notices from much of the press. What I didn't expect was the near-perfect screenplay & the splendid performances from all the men--especially the great William Fichtner.

Yes   |   No


Brenda S.

the synopsis was better than the actual movie!!

Yes   |   No


David Debra A.

With the cast I expected to at least like the movie, if not love it. The other reviews are totally accurate, the stories have NO ENDING. They were depressing and left you with many more questions than answers. Would not recommend this one.

Yes   |   No


Laurie F.

Wow! Amazing movie both acting and the way the filmakers shot it. That being said, this movie is not for everybody. As people who did not like it said - it is 9 short-stories and the viewer is left with little to imagine how the story ends. I find that interesting and entertaining - and I am still thinking about it. There is a little interconnection - but it does not go full circle. This is a really fine INDEPENDENT film.

Yes   |   No


Stephanie R.

I thought this project was interesting and liked not knowing what happened to the characters - we saw a slice of their lives and have to use our imagination to figure out the rest! What a stellar cast as well... really stunning performances by a surprising array of actors. I have a feeling that the bad reviews we are seeing are from movie watchers who want the normal movie-going experience, for those of the rest of us who can appreciate something a little different I think this film is a delight.

Yes   |   No


Lea M.

The glowing reviews for this movie are likely from industry insiders trying to falsely pad the ratings. I will never again rent a movie before reading reviews, because if I had, I would never have rented this sorry excuse of a movie. It is more fitting for television (and most of the characters are from t.v.) - maybe - if you don't care about character development. "Vignettes" should be more descriptive, and none of these fall into that category. You are plopped into the middle of a scene with no concern for the characters, nor understanding. Some are almost painful to watch and not what I would consider entertaining at all. Avoid This "Movie"

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (42)
     
    Scott C.

    The cast is terrific and even the ones that I didn't recognize did an amazing job. There is no conclusion to any of the stories, you only get a feel for the trauma and/or decisions that face these nine women, but it was a real pleasure to watch and I would highly recommend it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Vaun C.

    I agree with Rhett...the actors did a fine job but you're left wondering what happens to them. I expected to revisit each scene to see its conclusion. A major disappointment

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gary D.

    How can people call this a waste of time? Nine separate stories. Not connected. So what? That is like comparing short stories to novels. They are different. HELLO... Acting is nothing short of fantastic here. This is not a chick's flick. Anybody who likes drama will like this. I liked it better than my wife and she enjoyed it. Some films drag on and on while trying to make a point. Why bother if can do it in short period of time. I think this was in top ten films of year on Roger Ebert's list. Rightfully so. Very interesting canmera work and directing also. The script is excellent. Don't be afraid - take a chance with this one.

    Yes   |   No

     
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