This movie contains what looks like three stories, all acted by Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy.
In the first chapter of "The Nines," "The Prisoner", a television actor (Reynolds) finds himself under house arrest for things ranging from crack use to arson. McCarthy works for his publicist and specializes in dealing with the disturbed and drug addled. She and the actor form a childlike friendship of name calling and giggling. Davis plays the stay at home mother next door who nearly seduces the actor out of what seems like boredom.
The second chapter "Reality Television" follows Reynolds as a screenwriter who has filmed a pilot with his best friend, McCarthy, as the lead. In his effort to have the show picked up he gives in to the unscrupulous demands of Davis to replace McCarthy and reshoot the pilot.
"Knowing," the third chapter, is the story of a video game designer, Reynolds, and his wife, McCarthy whose car breaks down after a hike. Reynolds goes in search of either help or cell phone reception and finds Davis, again trying to seduce him.
Elle Fanning is adorable and quite creepy in all three chapters as Noelle, first a mystery girl, second the daughter in the pilot and third the daughter of the stranded couple. Only she and McCarthy seems to have an inkling about what is really going on.
This is a stylish film that blindsided me - I really didn't expect that this was a speculative fiction story, I thought ghosts might be involved. Until the end the framework and actual plot is only hinted at.
I do like a movie that surprises me. It didn't play out to be a major sideswipe like "The Usual Suspects" or "Fight Club" (I was so suckered and delighted I laughed my way through the credits on both of these), but a good twist all the same.
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