Magnolia (1999)

Posted : 11 months, 2 weeks ago at Dec 7 20:56

''This happens. This is something that happens.'' An epic mosaic of several interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. Tom Cruise: Frank T.J. Mackey ''Sometimes people need a little help. Sometimes people need to be forgiven. And sometimes they need to go to jail.'' Lets just say, Paul Thomas Anderson has succeeded in putting into film a rather clever interpretation of a butterfly effect. Anderson creates a vast canvas of barely-related and briefly overlapping storylines and characters that come together under the blooming flower concept of a single major theme and a few minor ones. Anderson's concern is to explore the ideology of forgiveness and to examine the part it plays in the redemption of ourselves. In this film...Read more

Rating : 8/10

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago at Oct 12 22:09

There are stories of coincidence and chance, of intersections and strange things told, and which is which and who only knows? And we generally say, "Well, if that was in a movie, I wouldn't believe it." Someone's so-and-so met someone else's so-and-so and so on. And it is in the humble opinion of this narrator that strange things happen all the time. And so it goes, and so it goes. And the book says, "We may be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us." Magnolia is writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson's answer to Robert Altman's Short Cuts. The film is an epic mosaic of modern American life and a tightly woven tapestry of several interrelated lives in the San Fernando Valley over the course of 24 hours. The stories of these characters are told through a series of poigna...Read more

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago at Aug 10 19:48

Magnolia is a brilliant script paired with superb acting. Each character's personal story could stand alone, and each actor brings their best to the table: William H. Macy, Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly to name a few. This film is thought provoking and insightful - a film to watch multiple times over to understand its weight, and something that gives you a different feel each time you come back to it. Paul Thomas Anderson delivers his personal best, surpassing his Boogie Nights and Sydney scripts. Magnolia expresses the wide berth of talent that PT Anderson has, and gave way to the excellent movies Punch Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood. Despite its length, Magnolia's exploration of different conflicts is mesmorizing and never falls to bored...Read more

Rating : 9/10

Posted : 2 years, 6 months ago at Apr 27 0:12

"Magnolia" is extremely well done. With a well-assembled cast including William H. Macy, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, and more, the characters are excellently acted. The story is great, and I could watch this movie over and over again just for the music, which is by Aimee Mann and completely fabulous.

I love watching this movie, even despite the fact that a couple of the actors in this movie are not my favourite actors. It is a great film, with a great story, cast, and music.

Rating : 8/10

Posted : 2 years, 9 months ago at Feb 4 13:35

A cheap attempt to use Quentin Tarantino's script equivalent to Pulp Fiction, in a more dramatic setting. By the times the paths finally crossed, I think I was asleep. It is too bad Magnolia came out the same year as American Beauty, or else it might have had a better following.

Rating : 5/10