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Peoples
Reviews of Magnolia
Judy
score = 80
This was an interesting enough film that I hurried home from it to check out
its reviews. I liked it a great deal -- especially the wonderful
character actors, both known and unknown, and the notion that we need to
give attention to the dilemma of sorting out what deserves forgiveness and
what does not. I did get tired of the profanity and loudness, but
there were moments of wonderful dialogue that gave me the same thrill
that I get from David Mamet. Also, I think it is a movie better seen knowing
little about it (true for lots of movies, actually). Oddly, I will not
recommend it to friends, as I cannot begin to predict who might like it and
who probably will not. All in all, I admired the ambition of it a bit more
than its execution.
Ian Martinez
score = 100
Not enough good things can be said about this movie. Inventive and
heart-wrenching every moment captivates. Beautiful.
SJR
score = 10
Worst movie I have ever seen. Gave it a 10 because that was the lowest
number.
Chris Linton
score = 70
I would love to give this film a higher rating but i need to think about it
more. I just got home from seeing it less than a half hour ago. I think it
was extremely well written but i am afraid it may have been too deep for me.
i came straight home to research it to try and make some sense befor ei can
rate/judge it. These comments have helped but i need to know."Is there
one message or moral that can tie this all together or was there many?"
if you can answer this question please email me at christopherlinton@home.com
I would really appreciate it.
DS
score = 10
Just about the worst movie ever made - the music drowned out the dialog and
the stories were way too disjointed
gd
score = 80
It did drag on for a little bit but it was nice to see how the characters
developed during the movie. The symbolism of raining frogs was a little bit
of a strech but it certainly made for some interesting scenery. If you don't
want to be challenged do not see this movie.
Agnes
score = 100
Note to Josh: I completely agree with you. I think there are too many movies
that are just special effects and no story line. Of course those movies
attract a large audience, but it's only because they don't need to
"think" when they are watching the movie. I know when I went to
see Magnolia I was impressed at how intricate the movie was, and how much it
required one's undivided attention and intelligence to follow it. It was
funny to see people grumble because they didn't understand what was going
on. :o)
Anne
score = None
I have pondered and even made diagrams of all the characters in Magnolia to
come up with the connection to reveal the film's message so boldly stated
not once, but four times (three at the beginning and again at the end) of
the nature of coincidence. The narrator asserts there is no such thing as
coincidence and gives three examples of the circular nature of things.
I searched and searched for the circle in Magnolia but was stumped. I was
sure I'd missed something. So I eagerly read all the reviews to find
someone who got it. The people who enjoyed the movie were much impressed by
all the symbolism and biblical references but no one seems able to explain a
single one. CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN IT TO ME? I have concluded that the director
exploited all those fantastic actors, who performed their hearts out, in an
inflated, self-indulgent jerk-off that viewers may appreciate, but can't
understand. An infinitely better movie with cohesive symbolism was American
Beauty, which delivered on its opening premise.
Mark
score = 10
The 10 is for the respectable acting. Never in my life have I wanted
to walk out of a movie. The director/writer/producer (all the same guy
of course)took the last hour trying to end the movie and settled for the
cheap symbolism of raining frogs which was so ridiculous as to evoke only
sypathy for his obvious lack of talent. To all of the other reviewers
who feel that this film evokes deep introspection and a true grasp of the
sublime, metaphoric and absurd you need a better grasp of yourselves and a
better education in what this film was trying to do... try Antonin Artaud
for a start on the basics. Overall, this film was utter crap and
nothing more complex than a twelve year old trying for avant-gard.
Andy
score = 10
I've wracked my brain for an example of a worse movie, but I've yet to think
of one. This oinker is a wonderful example of a movie that spends all
of it's time on characterization, and almost no time in trying to tell a
coherent story. Although the movie just crawled along, I kept waiting
for the hinted interconnectedness to start to tie together the many story
lines. Didn't happen (OK, it happened a little, but my estimate was
that fully three-quarters of the story lines were just left dangling).
There were a lot of well-acted characters. Too bad there's more to
storytelling than characterization.
Alan
score = 100
Sorry for those who hated it - I think it is an extraodinary winner. My
question is, why is it named "Magnolia"?
krizs
score = 100
First i'd like to stste that i rarely find a movie worth my time yet i am a
movie lover and will forever be addicted to wacthing them. Also a lover of
art and hater of art for arts sake i find too many movies to be a
regurgitation of idiotic themes, plot and acting. Lets face there are
too many predictable movies out there and once a movie becomes predictable
it loses all my respect. These are appropriatly labeled chick flicks
and macho garbage. Magnolia was outstanding; for lack of any kind of word
that could properly grasp my wonder. There were many biblical intricacies,
commentaries on the human psyche, extraordinary characters, beautiful
cinematography and great music. i absolutely loved the way the music
dominated much of the movie as sometimes only music can emote the true
meaning where words just fail or demean the meaning by its limited boundries.
The theme of repentance and forgiveness is a struggle everyone strives
through and few understand. This seems to be the dominating theme in
magnolia, which is appropriate as this flower represents repentance (to
answer some of your questions). I loved the hiding of Exodus in such
places as: on the roof whent the man is about to jump off, on the door in
one of the first scenes of "coincidence", in the gameshow crowd,
flickering in the bus stop before it comes ture...and many more places that
my brain refuses to recalla t this moment. The passage entales the
theme so well. as this pestilence came down to punish sins and bring
forth repentance and forgiveness. For those of you who couldn't follow it or
didn't ge it i pity you for you will never be able to understand, let alone
appreciate, real art as your intelligece is quite confined to cookie cutter
images. Art, my friends, is a vital part of life as it is the expression of
ourselves. Back to the movie; i am glad to see that Tom cruze has finally
given an excellent preformance, W Macey has finally picked a worthy movie
since fargo, Juianna more has expressed that one doesn't need intelligent
lines to be a brilliant actress, that kids can act without being celebrated
for being "cute". The cop was incredible and the druggy stayed so
consistant in her role with all her mannurisma and general demeanor. I loved
the irony in the movie as well. the ruining of the perfect teeth as a
kind of reflection on his wanting braces. The contradiction of how one
always considers one who pisses thier pants to be stupid. I loved the
intricacies. the repeating of doll imagery (tom comments on women as mere
dolls made up for his enjoyment, the druggy yells at her father saying im
not your doll and the genius kid goes on a rampage about how he is not a
doll to manipulate nor a freak to gawk at). The portrayl of all types
of man and how no matter what or how you live your life love is the final
goal (sorry for the cheese but i am a girl). there really is so much more to
say about this movie but i cant seem to find the words. IF YOU LOVE MOVIES
THAT HAS A GREAT PLOT, GOOD MUSIC, EXCELENT CINEMATOGRAPHY, OUTSTANDING
ACTING AND INCREDINBLE CHARACTERIZATIONS SEE MAGNOLIA. or if you hate movies
like titanic or any girly mushy-in-desperate-need-for-a-plot or overtly
violent and macho lets-fight repeatedly-even-if-it-makes-no-sense type of
movie you'll love manolia.
Sofiyah
score = 20
wassup with the raining frogs??? I know it has some biblical meaning
but many of us are not familar with the bible.....it is a very confusing
movie...great story line but it could have been more effecive if it was
shorter.
Bob Mitchell
score = 10
The acting in Magnolia was outstanding. But when one is serverd
XXX(crap) on a fine platter, one tends to not notice the fine platter.
This movie is quite simply a complete, total and absolute trash. This
movie could knock a buzzard off of a xxx(crap) bin a mile away! From
the under-developed story to the massive confessions of one's adultery to
the fricking falling frogs knocking Bill Macy's teeth out to the shitty
background music which was anything but, this flick fux. I am ashamed
that I wasted my breath, heartbeats and life watching this conglomerate of
some drugger's dreams...and to think that Hollywood put up the finance and
New Line Cinema shoved their heads up their asses and distributed this vomit
is simply astounding. What the hell is their problem in Hollywood?
I would rather watch 50 hours of my dog taking a xxx(crap) than watch this
xxx(crappy)-producing orafice of a movie...but too late, I already watched
it. I wish I had the opportunity to film Captain Kangaroo taking a
shit in a public stall than to endure this offensive and shameless piss.
Yeah, piss! I am mad and I was robbed. I would rather have spent the
time having my ass removed one razor blade slice at a time than sit through
this vomitous heap of stinking shit! Ebert and his friends can
sit and pretend to enjoy this excrement but as for me, a month of hot baths
will not wash the stench off! Don't waste your time watching this
movie....
sopris@aol.com
score = 100
The most amazing movie I have seen in years. Can't wait to see it
again. I think this will be the subject of analysis and debate for
years to come.
Greg
score = 90
I don't believe that Magnolia fits together smoothly. I don't think it
was supposed to. It raises an interesting question. Why must a story fit
together smoothly to be considered good entertainment? The fact is
that the characters of Magnolia lead chaotic lives. They aren't happy. They
have skeletons in their respective closets and can't seem to forgive
themselves. This is not a happy plot, which, I'm sure, would turn many
viewers off. But since the time of Greek theater audiences have been
entertained by Tragedy as well as Comedy. Entertainment is measured not only
by the joy it produces, but by Catharsis--does it stir a true emotional
response? And Magnolia does. Every character was well-acted and
well-written. Yes, their lives are filled with sex and drugs and illness,
but that is the subject of the movie. It saddens me that viewers dislike the
raining frogs because it isn't realistic. American audiences have seen
nothing but realism on television and in the movie theaters for so long that
they are unwilling to accept anything else! Of the multiple styles of the
Theater, very few are "believeable," and I applaud Paul Thomas
Anderson for bringing a story to the screen that departs from the realm of
the mundane--or the worldly--and brings to us a fantastic event to stimulate
our imaginations--because so much is produced by Hollywood that does it all
for us. Magnolia is truely unique--a modern-day story--it's not exactly
comedy, it's not exactly tragedy. It's magical realism--everyday and
fantastic events woven into the same story. Magnolia will no doubt
inspire a whole new genre of film, and I look forward to it. I gave it a 90
because it was awfully long. I have no problems with long movies if
they need to be long, but I felt that Magnolia could have had 30 minutes cut
off without losing its very powerful effect.
sarah
score = None
To the person who said that the music was drowning out some
"important" diaglogue, remember that when a director makes the
decision to "drown out" the dialogue with music, he is essentially
telling you the diaglogue is NOT important. At that point in the movei,
the music makes a more eloquent point than the dialogue ever could. As
for symbolism, I'm sure I didn't catch even half of it, but here is a random
listing of what I observed (in no particular order, ofcourse): * children =
angels (notice various references by the old quiz kid, rapper's reference to
himself as a prophet, and wings that protrude from the young quiz kid's head
due to design on the wall behind him.) * cop = Christ figure (his
"job" is to decide who to forgive and who not to {as is ours}, he
helps various characters, he "saves" the druggy {listen to words
of final song}, he is the only religious character in the movie and he lives
his life simply, recognizing the value and importance of life.) *
frogs/Exodus 8:2 = God's warning/reminder of our own mortality and our
purpose on this earth (to forgive those who have hurt or used us and to open
our hearts, allowing ourselves to be free to love again) It also
symbolizes the way in which God gives us many chances to right our lives
(the way he did the Pharoah in Exodus) and we have time to take advantage of
that, repent, and forgive. * the music = main points of movie (buy the
soundtrack and read P.T. Anderson's comments on the inside cover--Aimee Mann
influenced much of his writing of this film). * coincidence = God's hand
(Vignettes at beginning only illustrate that what looks like coincidence is
not--there is a reason for everything, and if we can't explain it we call it
coincidence, but what we should call it is God's intervention {like the
frogs}. However, I, like some of you, do not see how this connects to the
storylines of each character--please comment on this if you know.) I'm
saddened by those who feel they need to hurl insults at the others who don't
agree with their own viewpoints--remember, art is meant to be open to
interpretation, and if we all viewed it the same way IT would not be art and
WE would not be individuals. However, I will say that this is quite
possibly the best film I have ever seen, although I did not fully grasp it
the first time I saw it and so had to see it a second time. It forced
me think, using analytical skills that had not been put to such a test in a
long time. I like a movie that makes me work like that, and if others
don't, that doesn't make them unintelligent, it just makes them different.
And different isn't bad--that kind of thinking is how stereotypes are made.
nicole
score = 30
very difficult to follow and understand. Kept waiting and wanting
integration of characters/plot... never arrived. Good acting though.
Crystal
score = 100
I went to see this movie not knowing what I was about to get into...I saw
previews for the movie..and I wanted to see it...But I never thought that
any one movie could be so powerfull...and I never felt so involved in a
movie..This I saw Magnolia..After I left the movie I was in ahhhh...I was
speechless...I was intriged...this movie was so realisticthat a lot of
people can relate...We need more movies like this.
Cheryl
score = 30
L O N G and basically a waste of time and money. Blurry, dizzying
filming (I refuse to call that "cinematography"), unintelligible
"rapping", "background" music obscures actors' lines and
not very subtle inuendo. Actually "got" the gist in the
first few minutes of the movie (I can't in good conscience call this one a
"film") -- Grossly obvious that the numbers 82, coincidences and
intersections were "significant" to the so-called meaning of
it all. LOVED the little "Game Show" boy!!! He was the best
part of the whole thing!!! and probably SHOULD get an Oscar nomination for
his performance -- He's WONDERFUL (and I note, does not even get billing
above). Thank God for the "raining frogs" and for my
unfamiliarity with Exodus 8:2 -- It was comic RELIEF! If the "F"
word were removed, it would have been a silent film. Though known to
use the word myself on some occasions I'm disappointed that it seems the
only way this movie was able to allow the characters to express their anger
and frustration. Personally I dealt with my own cancer, losing a young
ailing parent, and drug addiction all at the same time in my own family and
though I could relate to the frustration/anger thank God I none of us
behaved as these people were portrayed! For those who think it's so much a
slice of life I am sorry for you: LONG, DREARY, SAD & BORING --
and greatly lacking humor -- is how I'd best discribe this movie and that's
certainly not my view of life!
Michael
score = 90
There is alot to digest in Magnolia. I need to see it again before
It's unified meaning can become clear. I consider it great simply for that.
Thank you to the writer/director for this provacative movie. I like this
trend toward multi-threaded movie plots. Its like 3D chess, or a Jackson
Pollack paintings--they stay with you. Just a few points I considered to be
hightlights: * The frog storm. It was awe-inspiring. How the movie
ignores it, other than the quiz kid's comment that "these things
happen," is wildly creative. My mouth hung open involuntarily.
And I loved that there was no news cast shown about the frogs. * The cop's
gun being returned to him from heaven after the frog storm is also very
telling. He is a good man, a savior, whom God helps. * The streets
being totally vacant after dark. Its sureal, even with the bad wheather.
More Peoples Reviews of
Magnolia
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