Review: ‘The Nines’ on DVD

Travis:

The Nines is a cool little science-fiction drama written and directed by John August. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as three “different” characters in this three-part film. The story follows these three characters as they gradually come to realize that somethings not right in the world, but end up discovering that its them that’s different. In each of the three segments, Reynold’s characters encounter two other characters, played respectively by Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy. Both actresses each also play three “different” characters.

As the story evolves and the mystery unfolds, overlapping between the three separate parts, the reality of the world becomes clear to both the audience and Reynolds’ character(s) simultaneously. In the end, having been guided back into his own reality, Reynolds’ character must make an important, but difficult decision that will affect the world as we know it, possibly with a catastrophic outcome.

As I first began watching The Nines, I found it only mildly interesting as I couldn’t really figure out what the movie was about. However, near the end of the first part, the movie really began to draw me in … as the mystery first begins to develop. Its a moment when the reality we perceive for Reynold’s character begins to fall apart as he’s experienced some strange anomalies. After being tipped off by Davis’ character, he confronts McCarthy’s character, demanding answers. As the truth behind Reynolds’ existence is revealed, just a little bit at a time, the movie grows into a remarkable story of addiction and recovery, but not in a way that we’ve seen before.

(4 out of 5)

Zac:

John August has created an interesting and experimental film that works on a number of levels but doesn’t quite gel into something really wonderful.
Ryan Reynolds stars in three chapters that are all connected, how they are connected is revealed over the course of the film. Melissa McCarthy is also interwoven with Reynolds characters along with Hope Davis who also appears in all three chapters. All three of the major actors in the film play about an equal part in each subsequent chapter with each taking on a clearly different type of character from one to the next. Though their characters are different, their agendas remain the same, and you slowly begin to see something coming together as you watch.
Chapter One is probably my favorite of the three and deals with Reynolds’ character Gary, a TV star put on house arrest and the relationships he forms with his neighbor and PR rep that moves in with him. Davis plays the neighbor with McCarthy playing the PR rep. Things start off fun and playful but agenda’s and mystery arise by the end with a conclusion that will hook you into finding out what the hell is going on.
Chapter Two is shot like a reality TV show following Reynolds as Gavin, a writer/director of a pilot trying to get made with David playing the Executive in charge of production and McCarthy as the star. The drama that unfolds is an accurate representation of the TV pilot process, but was already satire better in The TV Set this year, and only adds to the overall story very minimally even though it is probably the longest segment; at least it felt that way.
Chapter Three is about as good as the first one and follows Reynolds as Gabriel, an accomplished video game designer, who encounters Davis as he tries to find help to jump his car while his wife, McCarthy, and daughter wait behind. The movie makes sense of everything that has been going on but get a bit hammy at the end as well.
Shot for a fairly low budget the movie looks surprisingly good, so Kudos to August for that. His script is also pretty funny at times and Reynolds carries the film well. McCarthy is good throughout but I fear she has been type cast already in her current gig on Samantha Who? Hope Davis does a great job as well playing the most diverse roles of all and she excels on screen as usual. The movie was barely released but will maybe find an audience on home video, and will most likely find a cult following due to its high concept premise. I can see some comparisons to Donnie Darko down the line as well, but this doesn’t touch the ambiguity or depth of that film.
A solid effort that is worth watching for Reynolds and the interesting story, the movie works well for two thirds of its length, but the bloat in the middle hurts it in the long run. The movie aims high and might think it’s bigger than it really is, but if you go in expecting a bit of good thinking and nothing awe inspiring then you should find some enjoyment in the film.

(3.5 alternate realities out of 5)

[rating: 3.75/5]

DVD Features:

• Audio Commentary with John August and Ryan Reynolds
• Audio Commentary with Director John August, Editor Douglas Crise and Melissa McCarthy
• Deleted Scenes
• Script to Storyboard to Screen Comparison
• Summing Up The Nines
• Photo Gallery Slideshow
• God (Short Film) *

* God – John August made this original short film in 1998, which is an early comical version of The Nines. Melissa McCarthy’s character takes center stage in this short film, as she attempts to manage her “unique” relationship with God. Its a funny entertaining extra on the DVD, but its very different from the feature movie. My recommendation is to watch The Nines first, then give yourself some time to digest before gleefully dipping into God.