''Cinema Italiano'' is one of 3 original songs that were written for the 2009 film ''

Nine 9 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 9 or nine may also refer to: Dates * AD 9, the ninth year of the AD era * 9 BC, the ninth year before the AD era * 9, numerical symbol for the month of September Places * Nine, Portugal, a parish in the ...

'', an adaption of the 1982 musical of the same name. It is sung by

Kate Hudson Kate Garry Hudson (born April 19, 1979) is an American actress and businesswoman. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a Satellite Award, as well as nominations f ...

's character, and written by

Maury Yeston Maury Yeston (born October 23, 1945) is an American composer, lyricist and music theorist. He is known as the initiator of new Broadway musicals and writing their music and lyrics, as well as a classical orchestral and ballet composer, Yale Uni ...

who penned all the songs from the musical.

Conception

Incontention.com stated: "Hudson’s ''Vogue'' journalist Stephanie was expanded considerably for the film", and the song was written for the part. She is an "avid fan of Guido Contini's movies – but for all the wrong reasons. She loves the style over the content."

described the motivation behind the character, and the purpose of the song within the context of the film:

Production

Producer and choreographer John DeLuca explained the song's production:

Synopsis

Incontention explains: "Her song kicks in during an attempt at seducing

Daniel Day-Lewis Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis (born 29 April 1957) is an English retired actor. Often described as one of the preeminent actors of his generation, he received numerous accolades throughout his career which spanned over four decades, incl ...

’s crisis-stricken filmmaker Guido Contini and is meant to reflect the flashbulb-popping chic and panache of the entertainment industry, and certainly, Stephanie’s place in that shallow world."

Critical reception

Some reviewers did not understand that the song was a critique of how many magazine writers write about the topics they know nothing about, and instead pinned the character's inaccurate and stereotypical description of Italian cinema on the songwriter. For example one critic wrote "it’s obvious, from the lyrics, that the song’s writer knows very little about Italian cinema.". Incontention wrote "I would say it stands out as the most catching tune of the piece, but it’s also the most out of place and has some fairly trite lyrics (and some odd rhythm shifts)". ReelViews wrote ""Cinema Italiano," is enjoyable; it just doesn't seem to belong. And Guido's near-dalliance with her occurs at a critical point during his marital strife when it is unlikely he would be interested in pursuing any woman other than Luisa. Stephanie disappears from the movie after this, to reappear only when everyone gathers for a fantasy sequence near the end. " PopSugar said " I've had Kate Hudson singing "Cinema Italiano" stuck in my head ever since I caught a sneak preview of Nine. "

References

{{authority control 2009 songs Compositions by Maury Yeston Songs written for films Songs about Italy