"9 Songs" is an interesting mix, almost a mosaic piece of art for the movie screen. Un-apologetically cutting from peaceful white Antarctic snow landscapes, to tight shots of two naked lovers impassioned in a dimly lit home, to the over-saturated colors of a rock concert. These destinations cycle into a pattern, a motif, a mosaic.

The love scenes are extremely graphic (if you don't like that, you won't like this film), at the same time, it seems wrong to call them pornographic. So often in films (and even TV) the suggestions of sex are much harsher, much less beautiful. In this film, though graphic, the sex is more lovemaking. A beautiful thing. A monogamous couple (at least for the duration of the film).

As for the musical engagements, most are shot as if bootlegged by the crowd. There are no strong shots of the band members. Generally mediocre at best, these scenes are nothing impressive, stay to the edge of their welcome, but do serve nicely to punctuate the film.

Unfortunately, the filmmakers chose to use a few special effects of the day -- the momentary speed up of the camera, or slow down. I found this technique annoying, unnecessary and somewhat disruptive of the otherwise beautiful interplay of the lovers.

For the most part, the verbal exchanges between lovers feels very real -- almost like reality TV for couples in love (or couples where at least one person is in love -- anyway). If these actors are not improvising, then they're absolutely phenomenal. They're darned good either way, actually -- and brave.

It's not a film with a traditional story line, climax, resolution etc. More of a slice of a sweet, sensual love affair. I enjoyed the beauty of that. The film went a bit far into the kinky for my tastes, and indulged once or twice in drug usage which I personally frown on ... but, I found it's daring, beauty, and artistry, refreshing. A strong B, weak B+

I'm tempted to round up for daring and tempted to round down because of the film's short length -- 65 minutes. While this is a duration that works well for the piece (longer would only strain), filmgoers deserve more actual film time from a feature. So, I'm left to round up purely by mathematic convention.

Again, if you find graphic sex upsetting, then stay away from this film. Regarding which, the director makes this comment: "The idea of the picture is not to shock, or arouse people, but to capture something of what it's like to be in love, or to remember being in love."