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9 Songs (2005)
Released By: Tartan Films   Rating: N/A   In Theaters: 7/22/2005
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Studio: Tartan Films
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: N/A
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Language: English
Official Website: http://films.tartanfilmsusa.com/9songs/
Theatrical Release: 7/22/2005
Home Video Release: 11/1/2005
Cast: Kieran O'Brien, Margo Stilley
Published ID: 690869
UPC: 842498020074, 842498020180,
Plot: A relationship between a British scientist and an American student is chronicled through the concerts they saw and the love they made in this highly personal romantic drama from director Michael Winterbottom. Matt (Kieran O'Brien) works with the British Antarctic Survey team, and as he travels to the South Pole and ponders the vast plains of snow and ice, his mind drifts back to his short-lived romance with Lisa (Margo Stilley), a free-spirited girl from the United States. Matt and Lisa met at a rock concert, and afterward the two went back to his flat and made love; as Matt relives their relationship in his mind, their time together is reduced to a few meals, bits of conversation, and nine concerts they attended together, punctuated by their sessions in the bedroom. Described by several critics as the most sexually explicit film produced to date by a noted international director, 9 Songs was a labor of love for Michael Winterbottom. Primarily improvised, self-financed, and shot using digital video equipment with a three-person skeleton crew, 9 Songs includes performances by Primal Scream, the Von Bondies, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Franz Ferdinand, Super Furry Animals, the Dandy Warhols, Elbow, and Michael Nyman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Sex, drugs and rock'nroll
Added 11/18/2009

This movie has all three. Personally, I could do without the rock'n'roll and the drugs don't do much for me, but the sex scenes are the best I can remember seeing. They involve two people whom I would probably like if I knew them, they don't go in for arrogant or slutty behaviour and their lovemaking is not impossibly prolonged or athletic. And of course, it's not simulated. It may seem odd to praise a film entirely on the sex it contains but, given the paucity of similar erotica elsewhere, I find this one outstanding. I suppose one could rip the disc and edit out the concerts, though that would further dilute the sketchy story line that exists in the uncut version.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
A movie about reality
Added 10/28/2009

The movie honestly and realistically shows a typical short "life" of two single people who are having a sexual, lusty affair. In this type of situation, one of the people might feel more or want more (the guy in this case) while the other person is happy to keep it on the purely fun & sexual realm (the girl). I'm sure most adults can relate to such a situation. Not much more really although some reviewers may pull at straws to find some hidden esoteric meaning, but it's very well done and worth the watch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Who Knew Sex Was So Dreary And Boring?
Added 9/11/2009

If Michael Winterbottom's 9 SONGS sounds interesting, trust me, it isn't.

There are apparently two selling points for this film. The secondary one is that it has "exclusive" live performances of nine songs by various artists including The Von Bondies and The Dandy Warhols. These performances, however, are shot with artless camera work and bad sound, and are worse than many amateur bootleg concert videos you can find on YouTube.

The primary selling point is that in this movie, the actors playing the young couple in love actually have sex. And it's shown in graphic detail. Quite graphic at times. Which means, I suppose, that it's a porn flick, in spite of its indie pretensions at examining the fluctuations of a romantic/sexual relationship, but it's a curiously passionless and unstimulating variety of porn at best.

Winterbottom's characters are unlikeable, which is allowable, but also uninteresting, which isn't. Watching them relate, in all ways, makes human relationships actually look off-putting.

There is little story here, and what there is is bookended around the song videos. It's as if the writer/director had so little story he decided to use the songs as filler material. The result, at 71 minutes, is one of the subjectively longest damn movies I've ever seen.

Every few minutes I clicked up the onscreen display to see how much time was left. It always seemed far too much, even at only three or so minutes remaining. At one point, I realized I'd actually picked up a book and started reading without thinking about it. That has never happened to me during any movie before. It was like my brain was seeking to bandage a wound in its stimulation.

Consider yourself warned. 9 Songs, in spite of its dull sexuality (I started to write carnality, but there's nothing truly carnal about it), is a complete bore. Watching a toaster will probably arouse you more.

I feel like my head's been wrapped in plaster. Time to go find something to awaken my senses again, because I think they gave up on me while watching this thing.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
better than average
Added 8/28/2009

9 songs was better than average for a film of it's nature. The actors seemed to enjoy each other and were well cast for the role. It's nice to see a movie that blends the sexual aspect with a bit of a plot. Nudity for both him and her. The scene near the end of the film showing her pleasing him orally could have been done better. This scene has great potential but was very disappointing due to poor lighting and parts of it were shot very far away. Overall not a bad film and I would like to see more like this one. It didn't make 5 stars due to very poor lighting and no closeups when they needed to provide them.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Not the best movie I've watched
Added 8/12/2009

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and see things differently. Quite frankly I found this movie repetive and boring. Sure there is plenty of sex, but the story was lousy. Basically it came down to a couple shacking up together going to concerts, and having a heap of sex. I fast forwarded through most of it, even the sex. I certainly didn't feel like racing into the bedroom and banging my girlfriend after watching it. I like to buy movies that are a turn on and that I want to watch more than once. This didn't do it for me. Hire it, and if you think it's that good, but it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Sex, drugs and rock'nroll
Added 11/18/2009

This movie has all three. Personally, I could do without the rock'n'roll and the drugs don't do much for me, but the sex scenes are the best I can remember seeing. They involve two people whom I would probably like if I knew them, they don't go in for arrogant or slutty behaviour and their lovemaking is not impossibly prolonged or athletic. And of course, it's not simulated. It may seem odd to praise a film entirely on the sex it contains but, given the paucity of similar erotica elsewhere, I find this one outstanding. I suppose one could rip the disc and edit out the concerts, though that would further dilute the sketchy story line that exists in the uncut version.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
A movie about reality
Added 10/28/2009

The movie honestly and realistically shows a typical short "life" of two single people who are having a sexual, lusty affair. In this type of situation, one of the people might feel more or want more (the guy in this case) while the other person is happy to keep it on the purely fun & sexual realm (the girl). I'm sure most adults can relate to such a situation. Not much more really although some reviewers may pull at straws to find some hidden esoteric meaning, but it's very well done and worth the watch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Who Knew Sex Was So Dreary And Boring?
Added 9/11/2009

If Michael Winterbottom's 9 SONGS sounds interesting, trust me, it isn't.

There are apparently two selling points for this film. The secondary one is that it has "exclusive" live performances of nine songs by various artists including The Von Bondies and The Dandy Warhols. These performances, however, are shot with artless camera work and bad sound, and are worse than many amateur bootleg concert videos you can find on YouTube.

The primary selling point is that in this movie, the actors playing the young couple in love actually have sex. And it's shown in graphic detail. Quite graphic at times. Which means, I suppose, that it's a porn flick, in spite of its indie pretensions at examining the fluctuations of a romantic/sexual relationship, but it's a curiously passionless and unstimulating variety of porn at best.

Winterbottom's characters are unlikeable, which is allowable, but also uninteresting, which isn't. Watching them relate, in all ways, makes human relationships actually look off-putting.

There is little story here, and what there is is bookended around the song videos. It's as if the writer/director had so little story he decided to use the songs as filler material. The result, at 71 minutes, is one of the subjectively longest damn movies I've ever seen.

Every few minutes I clicked up the onscreen display to see how much time was left. It always seemed far too much, even at only three or so minutes remaining. At one point, I realized I'd actually picked up a book and started reading without thinking about it. That has never happened to me during any movie before. It was like my brain was seeking to bandage a wound in its stimulation.

Consider yourself warned. 9 Songs, in spite of its dull sexuality (I started to write carnality, but there's nothing truly carnal about it), is a complete bore. Watching a toaster will probably arouse you more.

I feel like my head's been wrapped in plaster. Time to go find something to awaken my senses again, because I think they gave up on me while watching this thing.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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