I really hesitated before deciding to view this film, mostly because I was sure I was going to hate it. For one, the music that Mike Winterbottom's controversial 9 Songs is built around isn't my cup of tea. However, since it's controversial, I gave it a whirl.
For one, 9 Songs is short. About half of the film is footage of live band performances. The other half has the lead characters Matt and Lisa having sex in various situations.
Look, I get what Winterbottom was aiming for. There's almost no dialogue in the film. The emotions of the characters are drawn from the music and the sex. Their relationship is built on the same thing. It's as if he's challenging the viewers to figure out how this worked at all, and how it went wrong when it did go wrong.
Sadly due to the sex scenes no one really cares about the message. Ramp model Margot Stilley makes her feature film debut by baring everything to Winterbottom's digital camera. Male lead Kieran O'Brien does the same thing, including providing what's known as a "money shot" in porn.
Oh, that's where it all is. Is this porn?
Nah.
Porn is created explicitly to sexually excite. That wasn't the purpose here. Winterbottom was attempting to tell his story with two activities that are part of the real lives of people like Matt and Lisa. They're out there. This is them. But since so many people don't think Margot Stilley should have shown her vagina in a feature film, that's all overlooked and what people remember is oh god he stuck his cock in her pussy in full view of the camera what a scandal.
Bottom Line: I still didn't *like* the film, but that doesn't mean it's pornography or that it's worthless. If you're of the same age as the characters and like that kind of music (cmon we all like sex) then it's likely that 9 Songs will connect with you.
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