Movie Loner

Ever watch a movie and afterwards find yourself muttering, “What the hell was that?” Personally, I love when that happens. Some of the coolest films I’ve seen are head-scratchers. Slacker, Donnie Darko, and David Lynch’s Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive have all baffled me despite repeated viewings. Movie puzzles that force you to exercise your brain are often misunderstood and dismissed due to their ambiguities. Well, not by the Movie Loner. Add The Nines to the list of films that will leave you with more questions than answers.

Story 1: The Prisoner. Ryan Reynolds plays Gary, a hunky young TV star who just got dumped by his girlfriend. His reaction is to burn down her house then delve into a day-long booze and crack bender that ends with his incarceration. Bailed out by bubbly publicist Margaret (Melissa McCarthy), Gary is placed under house arrest at the abode of one of Margaret’s friends. Gary’s confinement soon gets weird, complete with strange noises and hallucinations. Making things odder is Gary’s new neighbor Sarah (Hope Davis) whose over-friendly behavior hints at her knowing him. The chapter concludes with Margaret telling Gary he’s not who he thinks. She reveals he is a 9, a higher being that can destroy existence with a single thought.

Story 2: Reality Television. Episode two has Reynolds playing Gavin Taylor, a TV writer attempting to launch his own series while being followed by a reality TV crew. Gavin casts his best pal Melissa (McCarthy), an overweight actress, in the starring role. Network exec Susan (Davis) loves the show but tells Gavin that Melissa will be a tough sell. Gavin’s loyalty to his friend collides with his desire for success. His decision proves costly both personally and professionally. Once again the number 9 appears bringing into question Gavin’s true identity.

Story 3: Knowing. The final segment puts Reynolds in the role of Gabriel, a video-game creator married to Mary (McCarthy) with a daughter named Noelle. After a hike in the hills, a dead car battery leaves the family stranded. With no cell phone reception, Gabriel runs up to the highway for help. He reaches the road and meets Seirra (Davis), who reluctantly decides to lead Gabriel to her car. An innocent walk in the woods turns bizarre as Sierra confronts Gabriel and tells him it’s time to leave this world and return home.

Did you get all that? Probably not, but The Nines isn’t easy to break down. Writer/director John August creates a metaphysical journey chock-full of religious connotations, from names like Gabriel and Mary, to the concept of a god-like being. Basically, the movie poses this idea: What if God lived as a human in the world HE created? It then asks this question: Is God real, or is HE a product of human imagination? Weighty stuff for sure, but well worth exploring. Reynolds, Davis, and McCarthy deserve high praise for portraying multiple characters whom to varying degrees are all interconnected. The Nines will stay with you awhile even if you fail to completely decipher all its mysteries.

The trailer for The Nines: