The Nines (2007)

When a movie uses flashbacks or flash-forwards, there’s usually a reason. A non-linear timeline can serve many purposes. It can hide sloppy writing. It can remind the viewer of what has happened previously. It can mask a plot twist. Or, as in the case of 2007’s The Nines, it can sometimes make a film needlessly confusing in the guise of “complexity.”

Ryan Reynolds plays three different roles in The Nines as there are three separate (but oddly intertwined) story-lines. Reynolds plays an out-of-control actor, a TV writer, and a video-game designer respectively. Joining him in each of these stories are Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy. Davis plays a tempting neighbor, an executive producer, and a hiker. McCarthy plays a publicist, a fictional version of Melissa McCarthy, and a housewife. How each of them is related to one another is something you’ll have to watch the movie to discover.

You may recognize writer/director John August’s name from his writing credits on movies like 2000’s Charlie’s Angels, 2003’s Big Fish and 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ironically, even though The Nines marks his first time in the director’s chair, it’s the writing that hampers the film.

Without being able to get into the plot specifics, its hard to say exactly what’s wrong with The Nines. I can say that it’s clear that August wanted to make a film that would mess with viewers’ minds and keep them guessing until the final reel. In that sense, he’s succeeded. The reveal, however, doesn’t answer many of the questions from the previous hour and a half’s worth of material. Perhaps with multiple viewings, more would (or could) become obvious. In my one sitting, though, I found myself waiting for something/anything to make sense.

I can’t find fault with the performances, though. At the time of the movie’s release, Ryan Reynolds wasn’t being given credit for much more than his looks. In The Nines, he proves that he possesses the acting chops to handle playing three unique personalities without any of them feeling like Ryan Reynolds. For example, take note of his subtle body language as Gavin in the second story. It’s entirely different than the reckless actor, Gary, and even less like Gabriel, the game designer. Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy each deliver excellent work in triplicate. (Even though McCarthy is playing a version of herself in the second story, she’s still delightful to watch.)

If you’re a fan of David Lynch or other filmmakers who like to “color outside the lines,” you might find more to enjoy in The Nines than I did. It wasn’t a waste of time by any stretch but it isn’t a film I can recommend without a disclaimer about the plot.