Today’s quick review: The Nines. After a bad breakup and a worse breakdown, TV star Gary (Ryan Reynolds) is placed under house arrest, with only his publicist Margaret (Melissa McCarthy) and his neighbor Sarah (Hope Davis) to keep him company. As Gary’s sojourn wears on, he begins to experience bizarre visions that make him doubt his sanity. Gary presses Margaret and Sarah for answers, only to uncover a shocking truth about his reality.
The Nines is a surreal comedy mystery about a man on the verge of a revelation. The movie switches back and forth between the mundane humor of Gary’s life and his mounting worry over the strange things happening to him. The Nines uses these clues as a springboard to launch into a larger mystery involving Gary and two alternate versions of himself who lead very different lives. However, mixed execution leaves the film with untapped potential.
In spite of an intriguing premise, The Nines never quite hits its stride. The comedy scores a few laughs, thanks mainly to the pairing of Ryan Reynolds and Melissa McCarthy, but it never shines. The mystery invites the viewer to search for clues alongside Gary, with tantalizing hooks and a couple of chilling moments thrown in for good measure. But the answers are merely adequate and the film’s world and characters aren’t rich enough to invest in.
Watch The Nines if you’re interested in an unusual story that peels back the layers of reality. The Nines doesn’t have the finesse, the sense of pacing, or the insight needed to make the most of its premise, but it does make a credible attempt with the tools at its disposal. Those who like movies that go beyond a single story will get something from the film. Those looking for a straight comedy or thriller may want to skip it.
For a cleverer, more skillfully executed collision of realities, try Adaptation, Stranger Than Fiction, The Truman Show, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For a surreal fantasy romance with similar themes and a broader plot, try The Fountain. For a sci-fi mystery that dabbles in a similar space, try Dark City. For a film with mixed execution that delves into its lead’s psychology in similar ways, try Revolver or The Singing Detective.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent comedy, a mysterious premise, and shaky follow-through.