Directed by:
Paul Thomas AndersonScreenplay:
Paul Thomas AndersonCinematography:
Robert ElswitCast:
Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Robards, Alfred Molina, Melora Walters (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story. Through a collusion of coincidence, chance, human action, shared media, past history and divine intervention they will weave and warp through each other's lives on a day that builds to an unforgettable climax. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (2)
Reviews (10)
A breathtaking three-hour film full of perfect performances, lovely music and stories from everyone's life. The plot interweaves the individual fates of the main characters, which collide in the end. Tom Cruise gives the performance of his life, Julianne Moore is simply a great actress and William H. Macy and John C. Reilly caught my attention as well. There are a number of life dramas played out throughout the film that may be familiar to some of us, or even our own. Illness, drugs, depression, complicated family relationships and more! In short, I have to say that Paul Thomas Anderson has done a truly excellent job and Magnolia is one of those films that managed to mentally blow me away and tear me apart.
()
Nine instruments that each initially play their own melodies. Nine rays that come down... And a camera that seems to wander aimlessly through the stories of different people, listening and watching here and there... And then suddenly the splinters of melodies and lights begin to resonate, destinies come together, intertwine, stories begin to take shape. Guilt, punishment, forgiveness on the threshold of death. It's amazing how sensitively Anderson managed to capture the nine great catharses of his life, how he managed to escalate Magnolia from the vulgar and fleeting cacophony of the introduction until the twist, when all the characters are connected by singing the song Wise Up. Three hours of an extraordinarily personal and strange story, which already demonstrates its principle in the prologue – some things are simply not a coincidence. Magnolia's meaning is not only in passive viewing - the viewer is encouraged to look for a purpose that is well hidden (see, for example, the rain of frogs). The amazing acting performances work as a magnet, the highlight of which for me is the incomprehensibly strong Cruise in the role of Jack, aka Frank. I never thought he could act so emotionally. In addition, the Czech dubbing was excellent... The only blotch on the beauty of the film remains the fact that it is sometimes too stretched and marked by dead spots. Yet in the midst of a torrent of unreal, it's like that rain of frogs. It just happens!
()
Anderson has confirmed his reputation as the most talented director of the young generation and, as with Boogie Nights, has made a three-hour spectacle that flows by like water. The seemingly disparate patchwork of different human destinies would have crumbled under the hands of another director, but under Anderson's baton it feels extremely cohesive and the viewer doesn't feel lost in the plot. Plus, Anderson managed to make Cruise look a proper actor, which is remarkable. Cruise's portrayal of the successful hyper-macho is magnificent and rightfully awarded an Oscar nomination. The cathartic ending is unforgettable. Long live the frogs.
()
It's a long film that stands on the performances, which are basically without exception excellent. Still, I couldn't get into the film and I don't see anything in it that was all that great. Maybe someday, upon a second watch, but I doubt it. Paul Thomas Anderson is not a director I would seek out. His talent can't be diminished, though.
()
First and foremost, this film is not as complicated and difficult as it may seem at first glance. But it does have something to it and definitely does not lack originality, inventiveness, many unforgettable scenes and situations, and, last but not least, great performances by almost all of the main actors.
()
Gallery (28)
Photo © 2000 New Line Cinema
![Magnolia - Lobby Cards](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/158/740/158740558_28b8c4.jpg)
Ads