MAGNOLIA (1999) is by the film’s creator own admission, his masterpiece. Something I agree with, though many critics site THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007) as the better film.
Paul Thomas Anderson had such a success with BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997) (and many of the cast return here), that he was given free reign with his next project, an ambitious opus on character with interweaving threads. Initially he wanted a small film, but it literally ‘blossomed’. All of the characters are associated in some way, though their journeys remain uniquely separate, such as the petals of the Magnolia flower. Some of the characters include a nurse played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a child genius, a TV show host, a wealthy man who is dying (played by Jason Robard’s in his last film role) and a memorable performance by Tom Cruise as Frank T.J. Mackey, a loathsome sexual self-help guru for men. I’m not a fan of Cruise but in this he is hilarious yet tragic. The casting throughout is perfect.
All are in battle with the self. Tortured, isolated, lonely and in search of redemption and yet none seem to realise that they are indeed connected. The film’s other themes are coincidence, set out in the incredible prologue and the implausible made plausible, such as the frog rain. There is nothing more outlandish than real life. These themes are also metaphoric for certain people coming together, such as the cop and the drug addict. Everybody’s searching. Everybody seeks to be noticed. To be understood. This really opened up the scope of small things made grandiose, leading the way to films like CRASH (2004).
Incidentally some have seen the spellbinding frog rain scene, which is incredible and unique in cinema, as a reference to the Bible. Anderson claims it came from a story told to him by Philip Baker Hall who experienced the phenomenon in a storm while driving in Italy. There are various records of this occurring in history (though in heavy rain) but some still struggle with this scene. I find it astonishing.
This is a bold film. There is a scene where the main characters each sing a different part of a song, especially created for the film by Aimee Mann, even though they appear in the scene on their own. This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the piece and takes place in a tense dramatic period. Each of the lyrics relate to the characters own story. Somehow it works. In lesser hands it would have been laughable. I’ve never seen it attempted before or since.
Anderson creates his mosaic from his desire to work with certain actors and even wrote parts especially for them. He went away, isolating himself in a small cabin for two months and came back with this artistic powerhouse, refusing to alter a word. At three hours, it is an amazing labyrinth of angst, suffering, fear, longing and regret tied up in exquisite soul bleeding dialogue. In some ways it is the nephew of NETWORK (1976), a film Anderson showed to the cast before filming, also an ensemble piece centering around a Television show as Anderson also worked on a quiz show before making his foray into film.
Brilliant in direction and acting, the film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including script-writing, but lost to AMERICAN BEAUTY, a good film, but not in the same league. In the same way that THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) was overshadowed by THE ENGLISH PATIENT at the Oscars, time has revealed the error. This is by far a more complex and artistically successful film. I’ll go as far as saying MAGNOLIA is one of the best American films for the past thirty years, certainly in terms of script. Let’s hope Anderson has many films left in in him yet, though (as he also believes), may never top MAGNOLIA.
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Agree totally, I was mesmerized with this film when I first saw it, great performance by Tom Cruise and Phillip Seymor Hoffman
ReplyDeleteJohn B
If you like this you'll LOVE 'National Treasure' starring Nicholas Cage.
ReplyDeleteI hope this is sarcasm and not bad taste
DeleteI completely agree with you this is a brilliant film - would be one of my all time favs it is so well written and then the performances just make it even better. Also agree that English patient was over rated and in my mind deserves a rotten tomato not an Oscar! I urge anyone who has not seen magnolia to go out and rent it - you will wonder how you could have missed such a great film.
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry can not contain myself - I am assuming that whoever said that national treasure is anything like in the league of magnolia is joking right? Because they are in two different universes
ReplyDeleteHave not seen this film so thanks for the review. I'd probably see it for Tom Cruise, although I like him in action movies so not sure if I'll like him in this one since it sounds more drama. Might watch it for the frog rain scene too would be interesting to see how that is done on-screen.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see it just for the frog storm scene. Great review, Anthony.
ReplyDeleteBe well.
xoRobyn
Cheers for the comments guys.
ReplyDeleteI love this film and there's so much more than just the frog scene.. I think after you watch the prolouge you will know you're in for something special.
Yes I know who left the National Treasure comment. A film I have no intention of watching. Especially now. Yes its a joke.
=]
I must watch it again - I have seen it, but can't remember the frog scene - maybe I've watched too much science fiction and fantasy - I can remember Tom Cruise's performance though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anthony for this Director review.
ReplyDeleteI'm very familiar with his other movies which are all standouts.
I'm not sure if I've watched Magnolia or not.
I'll keep any eye out for this one ... Thanks:)
It's hard for me to say it was a great acting job by Mr. Cruise, but I gotta do it...
ReplyDeleteIt was great!
I do not care what anyone says about this film, I can say that this movie I really liked and made me think about many things.
ReplyDeleteThis film left an indelible impression on everyone who saw it because it is a very deep and serious film.
ReplyDelete