Nine - I Can't Make This Movie Lyrics

2003 Broadway revival
Nine the Musical - I Can't Make This Movie Lyrics

Guido Not since Charlie Chaplin
Has there ever been a film director like this,
Guido Contini.
Everything he does gets world attention
Whether it’s a hit or a miss,
Guido Contini. he writes the script...
I can’t make this movie,
There’s no way that I’ll complete it.
I can’t bear to see the cameras roll.
Problem is the subject,
There’s no pleasant way to treat it.
Problem is the author’s lost control.
How I wish it didn’t have to be so,
But we cut the losses starting now.
Strike the set and keep it for some side show.
Tell the cast and crew that they can all go.
Find another genius,
I can’t be one or become one.
I can’t even tell how I’d begin.
Help Luisa, help me, help me mama, help me someone.
here’s a place where I have never been.
Guido out in space with no direction,
Guido at a loss for what to say,
Guido with no intervening actors,
Guido at the mercy of detractors,
Guido here with no one else but Guido
This day!

He slumps in despair.
Enter La Fleur, Necrophorus, and Lina/Leo.
They cross behind the desolate Guido, who fantasizes:

Necrophorus All in all,
I think what’s happened is for the best.
Certainly, if he hadn’t shot himself,
The critics would have shot him down.
No, this film was a disaster-superficial,
Salacious, self-serving, self-indulgent
... I’m amazed he had the perception to see all that.
Good thing you insured his life!
(Exeunt, Lina/Leo leaving a pistol near Guido before going.)
Guido Is this part of my film, or isn’t it?

Enter Guido’s Mother

Guido’s Mother Guido!
Guido Mama! ... Oh Mama, am I glad to see you! You’ve no
idea how much you’ve been on my mind!
Guido’s Mother And you on mine. Guido, listen, darling,
bad news: you’re going to die. (Guido keels over.)
Guido, get up. I didn’t say you were going to die right away.
Guido (sitting up) You didn’t?
Guido’s Mother No... Of course,
That doesn’t mean I know when your death’s been planned.
Guido It’s been planned?
Guido’s Mother Oh, everything’s planned up here.
Planned very carefully.
Guido Listen, does this plan, by any chance,
Have something to do with how one’s films are doing?
Guido’s Mother No, I don’t think so... Though frankly,
From what I’ve seen of this film you’ve been working on,
Death might be the best way out.
Guido Mama! How can you say a thing like that?
Guido’s Mother I hope you don’t have any of your own money in it.
Guido Mama, are you joking?
Guido’s Mother No, the film is terrible,
And you’re going to die. I don’t believe the two are related.
Guido If the film was good, would I live?
Guido’s Mother Really,
I don’t think it has anything to do with that.
Your death is your death.
I saw it in the books... in the “Inevitable Column.”
Guido I’m told they occasionally revise that.
Guido’s Mother Oh no, I don’t think so.
Guido (furious) Why didn’t you warn me about this when I was young?
Guido’s Mother I didn’t want to spoil your childhood.
Guido Now you’re spoiling my old age!
Guido’s Mother You’re not old yet. Pray God you get there.
Anyway, that’s the news from up above.
Shape up! (She exits.)
Guido Mama, wait! Wait! What’s it like up there?
Mama, what’s it like? ... I wish she hadn’t come. (He ponders.)
It’s certainly not a bad idea for a film:
the last days of a director’s once brilliant career.
Takes place in a spa... And at the end...
(He sees the pistol; picks up the pistol,
Puts it to his temple, and then collapses onto his back.
Enter Little Guido)

Other Songs: Nine the Musical Lyrics
I Can't Make This Movie lyrics Nine the Musical Songs


Nine the Musical Lyrics

SYNOPSIS
Not Since Chaplin
Guido's Song
Germans At The Spa
My Husband Makes Movies
A Call from the Vatican
Only With You
The Script
Folies Bergeres
Nine
Ti Voglio Bene/ Be Italian
The Bells of St. Sebastian
A Man Like You
Unusual Way
Contini Submits
The Grand Canal
Every Girl in Venice
Amor
Only You
Simple
Be On Your Own
I Can't Make This Movie
Getting Tall