← Back to Reviews
in
Magnolia (1999)
A masterpiece of emotion and fractured lives, I fell in love with Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia when I first saw it a few months ago. I'm a fan of PTA's work, and this isn't my favourite of his, but there's something about Magnolia. I've seen it more times than Boogie Nights (my favourite PTA feature), and it just seems to get a whole lot better each time. I just love everything about it.
Magnolia interweaves different storylines, all with themes of paternal forgiveness and the flaws people have. Earl Partridge, a dying old man, asks his nurse to find his son, Frank, author of the Seduce & Destory program. Jimmy Gator, another dying man, tries to mend his relationship with cocaine addicted daughter Claudia. Jimmy hosts a game show, where Stanley Spector, a current child contestant, is subtly abused by his father and lives a very lonely life. And Officer Jim Kurring, a religous police officer, has feelings for Claudia. Other stories are told, and each character is connected to another, in some way. At 3 hours, some may call it overlong, but Anderson has taken his time to depict his characters, and gives us time to connect with them. Even Frank T.J Mackey (Tom Cruise), the misogynistic bastard, is given our sympathy before the film's credit's roll. It's a testament to Anderson's talent as a writer and a director that we connect with such flawed people, who face different demons.
PTA's long list of well-developed characters are all given their moments, when they break down and cry, or go emotionally over the top. The best example I can think of from the film, is where Frank T.J Mackey, a man who, up to a certain point in the film, is sure of he is and what he wants. But when he is given a hard choice, through his facial expressions we see he doesn't know what to do. Each character is building up frustration, sadness and raw emotion that they all let it out in key moments in the film. I rarely cry during films, but there were moments in Magnolia where I felt so much for these people, that I went teary-eyed.
Anderson masterfully directs his film, with superb visuals, that seem to get darker and darker as the film goes along, and a great soundtrack, that captures every moment with a feeling of perfection. After Boogie Nights, Anderson is more experienced and creates wonderful moments in Magnolia, that are like strokes of genius. The sing-along of Wise Up is beautiful, in every single way.
Jeremy Blackman, the youngest cast member, breaks my heart every time when he confronts his father and says to him "Dad, you need to be nicer to me,". Blackman is perfect in a role that requires subtlety above all else. John C. Reilly is excellent in a professional and emotionally vulnerable performance as Jim. Reilly showcases dramtic depth, not seen in the likes of Step Brothers. Of course, I'm saving the best for last. Tom Cruise. ******, there are not enough positive words on this earth to describe his work. Cruise haters, his personal life may be a bit strange, but admit he is a very fine actor in certain roles. Each line of dialogue is delivered with Cruise's magnetic charisma as a driving force behind it. He is electrifying as Mackey, and many people mention the "I'm quietly judging you" scene as the best moment, but for me, it's when he yells "I want you to do your ******* job" that gets me. We have seen a character thats at times calm and at others energetic, but this is the scene when Cruise's character changes, and with a hint of desperation.
I already know there's plenty of fans of this film on Movie Forums, and I'm definitely one of them. While I don't love it as much as Boogie Nights, I still find a lot to love and enjoy about Magnolia.
A masterpiece of emotion and fractured lives, I fell in love with Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia when I first saw it a few months ago. I'm a fan of PTA's work, and this isn't my favourite of his, but there's something about Magnolia. I've seen it more times than Boogie Nights (my favourite PTA feature), and it just seems to get a whole lot better each time. I just love everything about it.
Magnolia interweaves different storylines, all with themes of paternal forgiveness and the flaws people have. Earl Partridge, a dying old man, asks his nurse to find his son, Frank, author of the Seduce & Destory program. Jimmy Gator, another dying man, tries to mend his relationship with cocaine addicted daughter Claudia. Jimmy hosts a game show, where Stanley Spector, a current child contestant, is subtly abused by his father and lives a very lonely life. And Officer Jim Kurring, a religous police officer, has feelings for Claudia. Other stories are told, and each character is connected to another, in some way. At 3 hours, some may call it overlong, but Anderson has taken his time to depict his characters, and gives us time to connect with them. Even Frank T.J Mackey (Tom Cruise), the misogynistic bastard, is given our sympathy before the film's credit's roll. It's a testament to Anderson's talent as a writer and a director that we connect with such flawed people, who face different demons.
PTA's long list of well-developed characters are all given their moments, when they break down and cry, or go emotionally over the top. The best example I can think of from the film, is where Frank T.J Mackey, a man who, up to a certain point in the film, is sure of he is and what he wants. But when he is given a hard choice, through his facial expressions we see he doesn't know what to do. Each character is building up frustration, sadness and raw emotion that they all let it out in key moments in the film. I rarely cry during films, but there were moments in Magnolia where I felt so much for these people, that I went teary-eyed.
Anderson masterfully directs his film, with superb visuals, that seem to get darker and darker as the film goes along, and a great soundtrack, that captures every moment with a feeling of perfection. After Boogie Nights, Anderson is more experienced and creates wonderful moments in Magnolia, that are like strokes of genius. The sing-along of Wise Up is beautiful, in every single way.
Jeremy Blackman, the youngest cast member, breaks my heart every time when he confronts his father and says to him "Dad, you need to be nicer to me,". Blackman is perfect in a role that requires subtlety above all else. John C. Reilly is excellent in a professional and emotionally vulnerable performance as Jim. Reilly showcases dramtic depth, not seen in the likes of Step Brothers. Of course, I'm saving the best for last. Tom Cruise. ******, there are not enough positive words on this earth to describe his work. Cruise haters, his personal life may be a bit strange, but admit he is a very fine actor in certain roles. Each line of dialogue is delivered with Cruise's magnetic charisma as a driving force behind it. He is electrifying as Mackey, and many people mention the "I'm quietly judging you" scene as the best moment, but for me, it's when he yells "I want you to do your ******* job" that gets me. We have seen a character thats at times calm and at others energetic, but this is the scene when Cruise's character changes, and with a hint of desperation.
I already know there's plenty of fans of this film on Movie Forums, and I'm definitely one of them. While I don't love it as much as Boogie Nights, I still find a lot to love and enjoy about Magnolia.