4 more reviews

1. ›Film Review: Magnolia (1999)@drax1191d

   

   At the turn of millennium Paul Thomas Anderson was often viewed as that period’s Orson Welles – an immensely talented cinema wunderkind who produced a grand film that won Best Picture Oscar nomination and achieving that before the age of thirty. Anderson’s achievement, at least in terms of quantity, was even grander than Welles’ with Citizen Kane. He made not only one but two highly praised films often hailed as masterpieces. The first was Boogie Nights in 1997, followed by Magnolia two years later.

   The plot is set in San Fernando Valley and follows a day in life of various characters who are, without knowing, connected through What Kids Do Know, television quiz show. Earl Partridge (played by Jason Robards), once powerful producer of the show, is dying from cancer and is being tended on deathbed by his loyal nurse Phil Pharma (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman). Earl’s much younger trophy wife Linda (played by Julianne Moore) has married him only for money and was never faithful, but now suddenly realises that she genuinely loves him and out of remorse tries to find comfort in drugs. Phil tries to fulfil old man’s dying wish and track down his estranged son Frank T. J. McKay (played by Tom Cruise), who has renounced his father and made his way as misogynistic pick up artist and self-help guru. In the meantime, show’s host Jimmy Gator (played by Philip Baker Hall) finds problems both on and outside set; he tries to make contact with runaway daughter Claudia (played by Mellora Walters) who became a cocaine addict. She is, due to playing loud music, visited by policeman Jim Kuring (played by John C. Reilly) who immediately falls in love with her. Wunderkind show contestant Stanley Spector (played by Jeremy Blackman) faces the fact that she became only a source of income to his greedy father, while the former, now adult show winner Donnie Williams (played by William H. Macy) has just lost the job and turns into emotional wreck.

   A lot of critics have been comparing Magnolia to Short Cuts, Robert Altman’s highly acclaimed film made six years earlier. Most of the similarities can be found in the setting and episodic narrative structure. Magnolia, on the other hand, has much tighter plot and prologue, depicting various deadly incidents based on urban legends, immediately sets the theme of human frailty and the role chance and natural forces can have in people’s lives. Anderson has also put much more emphasis on style, including the trademark long tracking shots that allow for introduction of large number of character. Cinematography by Roger Elswith creates specific atmosphere, also helped by songs composed by Anderson’s friend Aimee Mann.

   What ultimately brings audience’s attention is large and impressive ensemble cast. Anderson has made reputation of a director who prefers relying on character and supporting actors rather than stars. Here he uses cast of his previous films, with Mellora Walters, Phillip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly and Julianne Moore standing out with another set of impressive performances. The only true star is Tom Cruise, but here he seems both relaxed and thrilled with opportunity to play character which is, for a change, not entirely likeable. His work gained him Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Perhaps most moving performance comes from Jason Robards for whom the role of dying producer was the last in his career; he, like the character he was playing, had terminal cancer and died a year after premiere. Anderson would later use WW2 anectodes Robards used to tell at the set as inspiration for his 2012 film Master.

   Magnolia is very good film, but it had its share of controversies and detractors, with some critics being significantly less enthusiastic to it in comparison with Boogie Nights. The main source of controversy is bizarre ending, which looked like Anderson’s attempt to use deus ex machina as a way to close various plots that he couldn’t have handle in more conventional or natural way. The ending, however, isn’t that distracting as some of Anderson’s decisions used in the middle of the film. This includes scene during which characters break into Aimee Mann’s theme song, which makes Magnolia look less as realistic drama and more as overly pretentious art film. However, despite those flaws and more than three hours of running time that might be a challenge to some less patient viewers, this is the film which clearly shows great talent and still possesses ability to touch hearts among many in the audience.

   RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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2. ›Magnolia (1999) | Movie Review | Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour, Julianne Moore@gonklavez91854d

   

   Magnolia immediately splices away from several time-honoured filmmaking foundations and fearlessly dives into cutting-edge terrain while starting with old black and white 16-millimetre film footage. In that respect, the film is a genuine effort. The ultimate result is only semi-interesting but immensely significant because of the limits it breaches, as is the case with many freshman efforts.

   P. T. Anderson earlier rose to prominence thanks to the highly praised yet Academy Award-nominated film Boogie Nights. Many of the cast and crew members from that 1997 film have returned to work with him here. Magnolia reintroduces a similar filming technique, but those who thought Boogie Nights was the most new-age they could stomach would undoubtedly struggle with this production.

   A dying father, a girlfriend by his side, a nurse attending to him, a quiz show host, a good-hearted cop, a coke-sniffing daughter, a previous quiz show champion, a current quiz show champion, and a sex-craving instructor of "Seduce and Destroy" courses. All the parts come together like a very delicate jigsaw puzzle when you add some guys on the gallows, Hustler magazine, and a mind-boggling biblical connection. Don't blink, though, since the one significant linking component is brief, quiet, and deceptive. The plot of the film is about attempting to put those pieces together.

   Not only does the picture deviate from the norm with the previous unorthodox story, but P. T. Anderson's actual filmmaking method may give inevitable teachers nightmares. Similarly, never purposefully chop someone's head off in the frame while they are talking. However, the most alarming transgression occurs when Anderson deploys shaky handheld film, a technique that is generally reserved for the direst of circumstances.

   Jason Robards, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, and John C. Reilly are among the cast members in front of the camera. But it's Tom Cruise who steals the show. He's a sex preacher from California, and his in-your-face school includes courses like "How to be pleasant and kind."

   The film will lose most viewers' interest after around two hours, which is the main issue with the movie. Its length, however, if you a cinephile, it's a must-watch.

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3. ›Magnolia (1999) - A Quick Salute to PTA, Tom Cruise, and the Rest of the Team@lionsuit2555d

   That's right, we're taking a moment to highlight PTA's masterpiece Magnolia.

   From Hard Eight to Phantom Thread, PTA has been writing and directing movies that matter, that feel, that stand out, and that offer a fresh perspective on story, character, the moment, the world we share, the world we survive, the world we create.

   His camera, his movement, his color, his dialogue. Raw, vulnerable, powerful.

   If you missed Punch-Drunk Love, Boogie Nights, or Inherent Vice... well, I'd encourage you to fix that.

   As far as Magnolia, it's gutsy and rare for a filmmaker to pitch a three hour film, but here we are. He threads his characters so well and lines us up for one of the most interesting endings I've seen, one shockingly based on true events (while characters are fictional).

   Mix this all together with phenomenal performances. The cast is packed with talent, as are all PTA film. Yes, pretty much any performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman crushed it. That doesn't surprise. See goes for John C. Reilly, but Tom Cruise delivers what I might call his best performance here. Wow. Diverse. Powerful. Open.

   The film was dedicated to Anderson's girlfriend at the time, Fiona Apple, and to Anderson's father, Ernie.

   PTA's IMDb Page: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0000759/?ref_=m_nmfmd_dr_i

   Magnolia IMDb Page: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0175880/

   Magnolia Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KnamcFv_N9Q

   ---

   Be well. LionSuit.com (words are original.) Posted using PALNET :-)

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4. ›Magnolia (film): wonderful mix of stories@gooddream2865d

   The official description of this movie is " a mosaic of interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness and meaning." That pretty accurately describes the film because at first it is really difficult to imagine how all of these various stories and characters could possibly have anything to do with one-another.... until they do.

   

   With such a star-studded lineup, it is easy to understand how this film could end up being a winner. It bet it was also a bit of a nightmare for director Paul Thomas Anderson who had to manage all of those egos at the same time. The actors include such names as Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, and John C. Reilly. They all give fantastic performances but I primarily have to point to Tom Cruise and William H. Macy as most outstanding.

   

   I was particularly surprised by Tom Cruise (and i might be in the minority here) but i don't generally consider him a great actor as i feel his is more of a mass-producers of action films.

   I'm not going to get into the individual stories but I will just say that each of them is a good one and they mix together well towards the end in the finale. While most of the stories are pretty far fetched, they all incorporate some aspects of daily life that make you reflect on your own life long after the movie is over. I like it when films can accomplish this and is a great reason to give this one a go.

   Magnolia struggled at the box office and it wasn't until after being nominated for many awards, including Grammys and Oscars that the film made its money back and a decent profit (nothing huge though.)

   I actually don't like the trailer very much because it reveals too much but whatever.

   8 / 10

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