Mjeteconer Just perfect...

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Justina The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

jakedworkin This movie was fantastic, the performances were brilliant, the writing was effective and the directing was top-notch. I've been watching all of PTA's films and I have loved them all (though I need to re-watch The Master and Punch-Drunk Love), I honestly think that he is one of the greatest modern filmmakers (perhaps even reaching the heights of Kubrick and Lynch). The film is an epic story of interconnected characters, set in the backdrop of L.A. This kind of story telling is very similar to Anderson's previous film Boogie Nights and he has said himself that this style was inspired by Robert Altman's movies. Despite the film being so large in scale and ambitious the characters are very subtle and interesting, with every character's ambition being clearly defined. This is thanks to Anderson's script and the incredible ensemble cast of Hollywood big names (namely Tom Cruise) and underrated character actors (Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy). The multiple interweaving plots are engaging and none of them feel heavily cliched or contrived.Despite the many praises I have for the movie (which greatly outweigh the criticisms), there are some things I'd like to address. I thought that some of the directing and script choices near the beginning (long takes, spinning camera, narrator breaking the fourth wall, etc.) felt fairly arrogant, as if Anderson was trying his hardest to show of all his tricks and talent, and while these techniques worked well with the tone of Boogie Nights they felt slightly unnecessary in this drama about death and humanity. Another complaint is the three hour run-time which, though the film is engaging the whole way through, feels a little excessive and could be cut down to maybe 2 and a half hours. The only other complaint I can think of now is that their was one shot where a CGI model of an animal was used and it looks fairly dated (not really the movie's fault). Overall I felt that most everything about this film was excellent, the pacing, the tone, the dialogue and a whole lot of other things that I don't have the time to mention.

classicsoncall I'll tell you about strange things happening all the time, because I've experienced them. The very prior two movies I've seen and reviewed here on IMDb both featured a baby carriage scene in which an infant is carried away by a stroller down a long flight of stairs within sight of it's mother who is unable to help or give chase. One was the 1925 silent film "Battleship Potemkin", the other was 1987's "The Untouchables". I call these moments of cosmic serendipity, occurring completely at random, yet having a connection of sorts that were neither planned or expected. And now, here's a third film, "Magnolia", gloriously pointing out that these kinds of events happen all the time. One might ask 'What are the odds' in a seemingly moot way because who can explain it? As for the three vignettes that opened the story, at least two of them made the internet rounds some time ago - the scuba diver plucked out of the ocean to land in the middle of a forest fire, and the suicide attempt that was interrupted by negligent homicide. If memory serves, I think they were both outed as urban legends, but I can't be sure about that. Nor can one be sure about the unexplained coincidence that permeates this story with it's cast of unsympathetic characters. Though it's easier to explain in a film because that's the way the script was written, whereas real life is as random as it gets. As for all those frogs falling out of the sky, well, that's really happened a number of times throughout history with no apparent explanation. As to the sheer massive quantity and size of those amphibians, I think there was a little overkill employed to make a point. What the point was, I don't know.The person in the story I felt the most 'bad' about was the young quiz kid Stanley Spector (Jeremy Blackman). His life was careening down the same path as his predecessor Donnie Smith (William H. Macy), though in Stanley's case, I felt he had the potential to turn into a mass murderer. Recall when his father raged through the studio as Stanley wouldn't answer a question; the old man demanded to know what Stanley was doing 'to him'. Just a perfectly narcissistic parent attempting to cash in on his son's knowledge and initiative. The film offers a fine array of character performances with Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore and John C. Reilly leading the way. If there was a single twist in the story, my money rests on the fact that the game show was a Big Earl Partridge Production, while all the time thinking that Frank Mackey's (Cruise) claim his father was a former television executive a load of hogwash. Turns out he wasn't blowing smoke for a change.

merelyaninnuendo MagnoliaHolding an audience on the edge of the seat for more than 3 hours is an accomplishment let along entertain, mesmerize and inspire them with some outstanding writing ever to be written for the screen. When it comes to manipulate multiple characters and make them dance like puppets and bring out the best from each and every situation, no one can hardly touch Paul Thomas Anderson, for his awareness of its eerie world, concept and characters is what makes it work all the way through. Magnolia offers a rare experience that cinema and art could still bedazzle us by its thought provoking aspects toward life and humanity. It is carried and depicted by so many great performances by Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Philip Hoffman and John C. Riley pitching each and every words on screen majestically. Magnolia contains fast paced exhilarating script which is supported thoroughly by stellar performances, breathtaking background score and perfect execution.

Dave This drama film has an ensemble cast and several stories. It's about various interconnected people who live in Southern California's San Fernando Valley. It's well-written and well-acted by its cast. Tom Cruise was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor - which he should have won.It's over three hours long, but it holds your attention.