The Nines film review

certificate_15

THE NINES

Not everyone may like The Nines, but those that do like it may just rave about it enough to give it some form of cult status in time to come. It's certainly one of the most unusual films to come across the Atlantic this year, and it exerts a strange grip over the viewer.

The film comes with pedigree in the shape of writer John August whose previous credits include Go!, The Corpse Bride and Big Fish, all films notable for their impressive screenplays. August here makes a confident start as a director with his most personal and intricate film to date.

The best way to see The Nines would be to know nothing about it at all, as it doesn't easily fall into any recognisable genre. That's because August jumps around a lot in an effort to keep his mystery entertaining. If you like films where you're forced to do your own thinking, then this may well be a good choice.

Ryan Reynolds is excellent in the lead role of the man who may or may not be undergoing some sort of life-changing experience. Solid support is given by Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy who both play the various women in his life.

I would recommend The Nines to any fans of smart, alt-indie US psycho-thrillers, and I'm definitely looking forward to talking to anyone who has seen it, as it's a film where each viewer will have a very individual take on things. That's why it's a perfect film to see with no previous knowledge of what it is about.

Paul Hurley