Daniel Day-Lewis says he avoided dancing in 'Nine'
The promotional juggernaut behind the movie "Nine" shifted into high gear today when cast members of the film -- including Daniel Day-Lewis -- appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to discuss their work on the movie musical.
One can hardly hope for a moment of unscripted candor in such a scenario. (Can you imagine the number of publicists working behind the scenes in Oprah's green room?)
Still, Day-Lewis -- always refreshingly unpredictable -- was able to slip the fact that he managed to avoid dancing in a movie directed by Rob Marshall, who happens to be an accomplished Broadway choreographer. That's kind of like signing up for swimming lessons and then not getting in the water. His co-stars -- including Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson -- did not get off so easy, as early footage from the movie has shown.
We can assume that at this stage in his career, Day-Lewis isn't going to do what he doesn't want to do. While the Oscar-winning actor (who seemed to spend the entire hour stifling giggles at Oprah's questions) doesn't dance in the movie, he does participate in several dance numbers. And based on clips featured during the show, he also speaks with a strong Italian accent while in character as Guido Contini, a burned-out film director who has more than his share of woman problems.
The rest of the show was given over to the usual celebrity sycophancy. At one point, Hudson compared Marshall to the late, great Bob Fosse -- surely one of the most cultured things the actress has said on the air. Marion Cotillard looked mostly lost. Nicole Kidman talked about living in Nashville. And Cruz gushed about Pedro Almodovar.
Incidentally, Marshall didn't direct the hit 2003 revival of "Nine" on Broadway. That job went to David Leveaux, who was nominated for a Tony.
-- David Ng
Photo: Daniel Day-Lewis in a scene from "Nine." Credit: David James / The Weinstein Company
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I watched part of Oprah at least until Kate Hudson appeared,she (Kate) really should ask her mother to tag along on these interviews,just to remind the audience why and how she became an actress(?)I still don.t know what NINE is about.
Posted by: erica stephens | November 19, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Actually TOMMY TUNE directed it on broadway
Posted by: Dan | November 25, 2009 at 06:42 AM