Magnolia (1999)
Also known as "mag-no'li-a"
Things fall down. People look up. And when it rains, it pours.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melora Walters, Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Jeremy Blackman, Melinda Dillon, Alfred Molina, Jason Robards, Michael Bowen, Emmanuel Johnson, Orlando Jones, Luis Guzman
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Running Time: 180 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Drama
On DVD 'Magnolia' is an extremely tiring film to watch - but that shouldn't be confused with being tiresome. Running at a jaw-dropping three hours, it requires patience, endurance, and probably also a fairly uneventful social life. And I'd love to say the eventual pay-off guarantees a feeling that it was all worth it, but in reality there would be many who'd disagree.
It's an epic tale of nothing in particular, taking snapshots of the lives of at least nine key characters (among them lank-haired sex preacher Tom Cruise, tragic failed child star William H. Macy and chubby moustachioed copper John C. Reilly). Each of them live in the San Fernando Valley, none of them seem particularly cheery in their own lives (let's face it, who is?), and all of them are linked to each other - though some through stronger connections than others.
Written and directed by 'Boogie Nights' helmsman Paul Thomas Anderson (who would go on to make the superior - and shorter - 'Punch Drunk Love'), 'Magnolia' is certainly an ambitious project, though perhaps not as original as it aspires to be. After all, ensemble pieces featuring the individual stories of intertwining lives aren't exactly scarce on the ground - 'Pulp Fiction' is probably the most obvious example, but there are many, many others.
Anderson does a remarkable job of covering up the fact that his story lacks real substance, using tricks such as a constantly moving camera and an increasingly-intrusive score to make things feel a lot more tense than they actually are. Stripped of those touches, the fact is that there's often not a lot happening here - and, because of that, there simply is no reason on Earth for it to be as long as it is.
So 'Magnolia's main downfall is also the one thing that it stands out most for - its crippling self-indulgence. This is an extremely well-acted film, and Anderson is a fine director, but it's just too wrapped up in its own art to be considered a genuine classic. There's no doubting that it's a fascinating piece of work, and for that reason alone I'd recommend everyone at least give it a go - but it's not the life-changer it's clearly trying so hard to be. Perhaps it's just trying TOO hard.
DVD Extras: Disc 2 contains a whole host of featurettes (most notably a full 'Seduce And Destroy' seminar from Tom Cruise), several trailers, TV Spots, a music vid, cast diaries, and production notes.
It's Got: Raining frogs.
It Needs: An industrial-strength umbrella.
Alternatives: Short Cuts, Nashville, Pulp Fiction, Go
Summary: I'm not saying this is a long film, but you could watch 'Weekend At Bernie's' TWICE in an equivalent amount of time. Nuff said.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 13th February 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
Magnolia at the IMDB
Comments8 Comments |
| Ok my english isn't that good but I'll try to give a response to the review above. I do not understand why you are saying nothing is happening in this movie. I mean, every character going trough a major crisis. I think magnolia is a must see flic and I would give it 9/10. Not easy waching but more then worth it deffenitly! |
| Comment by:- Jeroen | | 31 March 2004 | ip: logged |
| I was fascinated by the pre-story.Then - watching it on one fairly blue evening, was a very trying experience. I was touched by each of the characters. After obout two hours I increasingly suspected that each one of the protagonists would shurely soon commit suicide, I couldnt take ist any longer and stopped, and don´t know how it ends to this day. In a way, the story reminded me somewhat of the book "catcher in the rye" I read long time ago. So, I think the movie is fascinating and well acted, though anyone watching it should´nt be in a bad mood at the beginning.(perhaps one day I´ll have the patience to finish watching it) |
| Comment by:- claudia | | 11 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| worst review ever candidate. |
| Comment by:- cloud | | 30 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Magnolia is a life-changing exercise. Best viewed in the cinema, I love it to bits. For those who are untouched after watching it, all I can say is you need a life. Thank you, P T Anderson, I love this as much as "Nashville". |
| Comment by:- Hiram | | 30 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| I agree with Cloud. Yes, Gary, please go back to your comedy and football. Thanks. A former Scottish resident |
| Comment by:- Hiram | | 30 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| persons who are so perturbed by lengthy movies should not watch them at all i guess, and surely should not review them, personally when i am watching a movie, or actually doing anything interesting, i dont keep track of the time, i think that's how it should be , if you're doing something and constantly looking at your watch and yawning etc, then i guess you should be doing something else where you can be more interestingly involved, in some social activity maybe, |
| Comment by:- faisal khalid | | 12 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| A complete waste of time. |
| Comment by:- alan caldwell | | 22 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| As often with movies as this one it requires full attention. As with Donnie Darko, the more you watch it, the more you get, and in the end, the better the movie. I have watched this once, thought it was lengthy but very interesting. Watched it the second time, it absorbed me, got more clues. You know how good it is when you discover the hints it is giving... This story is very open and therefor gives YOU the experience, you SEE what you think it is. It's very philosophical in that sense. But you have to like that... |
| Comment by:- Niek | | 09 November 2004 | ip: logged |
