While I felt the musical elements in Nine were tacked on, the film was based on a Tony Award winning Broadway production, so given just the songs a chance would be an interesting experience. Right off the bat, I think the fans of show-tunes should consider giving this a look. In the liner notes, Maury Yeston explains his unique opportunity to relive and revitalize the songs of Nine, thanks to the film. While every song from the film appears, we are also treated to a few new ones, remixes of “Cinema Italiano” and “Unusual Way”, that one sung by Griffith Frank, instead of Nicole Kidman. I think the soundtrack exposes some of the casting issues many critics had right off the bat, but there is some good.

One of the more pleasing aspects of Nine was that it featured Marion Cotillard again in a musical. She has a great voice, and that’s what powers songs like “My Husband Makes Movies” and “Take It All”. She’s just plain great, as anyone who saw La Vie en Rose can attest too. Fergie, a natural singer, shines too in her songs “Be Italian”, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. But what about Daniel-Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, or Penelope Cruz? Out of those three, Hudson surprises the most, with the playful, catchy, “Cinema Italiano”. This song could be Oscar nominated. Daniel-Day Lewis is okay. Obviously, a singer he is not, but he’s fine. Cruz’s song is sexy visually in the film, but I don’t really like her rendition here vocally.

Nine also has a few overtures, but it all comes down to the songs. Some work, some don’t. The soundtrack won’t win over the non-fans of the film, but it should please Broadway fans, even though one could just say go buy the Broadway Original Cast Recordings. Like the film, the soundtrack is a mixed bag. Highly recommended for Marion Cotillard and Kate Hudson.

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Tags: Marion Cotillard., Nine