I saw “The Nines” for the first time at Sundance and walked out of the theater not knowing exactly what I felt. I knew I was blown away by the film and the story, but I wasn’t sure if it was due to no sleep and the surprises the film unexpectedly threw at me. So I decided before attending this morning’s junket that I ought to see the movie again and take it for a second spin. Thankfully, the film was even better the second time as I was able to catch a lot of little things that I missed during the initial viewing.

But while I bought into the film hook, line and sinker, I did speak to some friends and they were less than impressed by John August’s feature debut. And this doesn’t surprise me. I really think John has made a film that will polarize the audience. Some of you are going to be like me and LOVE this movie. And some of you are going to not get what I think is a great film in so many ways.

But that’s also what’s so great about this film, the ability to be so different to so many people. It’s not like this is a huge budget Hollywood spectacle and it needs to appeal to all four quadrants. “The Nines” is a small budget indie that needs to just find a small passionate group that get it. I’m happy that I’m one of them.

And while I’m nervous to provide any early footage as it might ruin the film, I can tell you if you watch any of the five clips below you will not have anything spoiled. Promise.

Finally, the film is broken into three parts and if you want to know a bit on each one, I’m providing the studio synopsis. But if you want to be surprised…. Skip them and go down to the clips.

In the coming days I’ll have interviews with Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy and John August, but until then…. enjoy the clips.

Newmarket Films will release THE NINES on August 31, 2007.

--- The synopsis has spoilers ---

John August, the acclaimed screenwriter of GO, BIG FISH, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and THE CORPSE BRIDE, makes his directorial debut with THE NINES, an intricately constructed intriguing blur of reality, virtual reality and metaphysical fantasy.  The film unfolds in three parts, featuring the same actors in different (and in some ways overlapping) incarnations.   

Part 1 - Gary
(Ryan Reynolds) - a TV actor who finds himself under house arrest after one too many benders.  He is tended to by an impossibly chipper publicist (Melissa McCarthy) and a sexually tempting new mother next door (Hope Davis).   

Part 2 - Gavin
(Reynolds), a show-runner who is the subject of a reality TV show about the thorny process of creating a network series (not dissimilar to August himself).  His show stars his (and August's) best friend, the actress Melissa McCarthy, much to the chagrin of the network's development executive (Davis).  He also happens to own the house where Gary is imprisoned (John August's actual home). 

Part 3 - Gabriel
(Reynolds) - a successful video game designer who runs into car trouble with his wife (McCarthy) and daughter (Fanning) in the woods and then into even greater trouble when he seeks help from an attractive hitchhiker (Davis).

Together, the three stories form a single narrative that explores the relationships between author and character, actor and role, creator and creation. Alternately funny and unsettling, The Nines is like a riddle where the answer may just lead to another question. 

The Police Will Come