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Peoples
Reviews of Magnolia
niceguy
score = 100
krizs offer some really good insights. I'm going to search for other
discussions, because this was definitely a provacative movie with A LOT of
subtle references and references. I did not think the movie was too
long at all. Great acting by, yes, Cruise, Robards, Moore, et al.
A modern day allegory..just incredible to think back to it and try to tie
all the pieces together. I loved American Dream and Ice Storm, but
this is in it's own category. Kinda like an elmore leonard movie (get
shorty?) meets The Wasteland. If you don't know if you should go see it, go
see it. If you don't understand subleties, too bad, but if you enjoy unique
movies, see this in the big screen. The only thing that disturbed me a
little was the when they all broke out in song---I thought it was too
MTV--but HEY, The MOVIE WAS ABOUT TV--so that may be what was
intended---Brilliant---see I just realized that! after seeing it last night.
WOW!
Tara
score = 100
ok, well personally, I loved the movie I've seen it twice, and yes I realize
that's 6 hours of my life gone but oh-well. Other than the extremely obvious
exodus 8:2, why does the number 82 appear about 20 times thorughout the
movie? eg. the arguing parents of the man who jumped off the roof lived in
rm. 82, it said 82 in the rope near the jumping mans feet, the opening
sequence in black and white where the man is being hanged, the weather
etc...I also noticed that in every characters room there are pictures of
Mgnolias or some sort of flower on the wall. The crack sniffing chicks room
number kept changing from 12601 to 12501 to 12601 and a half. Her outfit
changed when she was going on the date with the cop...and the list of weird
little things goes on...I'm just wondering if there's signifcance to these
things, if there is please tell me!
Artur
score = 70
Magnolia and Frogs! A sure combination for extreme feelings derived from
watching this film. The good aspect is that you spend the whole movie trying
to make sense of all extreme events taking place. On the bad side is that
you would live the theatre still trying to make sense of it. May be that is
what is all about: life makes no sense and things DO HAPPEN. For as much
incredible and coincidental as they happen, they DO happen. Tom Cruise's
performance is outstanding. But help me here.. Why Magnolia? Why would P.T.
Anderson choose the flower of a Magnolia as a title?
Rob
score = 90
Some people deserve to die, some want to die, some peoples fate is in others
hands, all in utter lonliness. most of these characters fall in a mix
of all these categories. best movie of the year. if your looking
for a movie to help escape from reality, go see another film. I'f you
want to see great acting, and great filmmaking this is the one to see.
Some parts could be cut (scene where all are singing to the music).
but other than that, the pace of the movie was perfect for what was
happening. i loved almost every minute!
maude
score = 100
I knew very little about this film going into it-- My friend gave me a free
ticket. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of drinking an enormous cup of
coffee before hand. Twenty minutes into the movie I had to pee. What does
this have to do with anything? Well, after only 20 minutes of Magnolia I was
convinced that if I stepped foot out of the theater-- I would in fact die. (Unprovable,
yes-- but after viewing the work as a whole-- I am personally still
convinced.) I had no idea how long the movie was, and I have a notoriously
weak bladder-- but I had to watch the entire movie. For anyone who has seen
it, you can see my sympathy for poor Stanley knows no bounds. If this film
fails to win all awards and accolades that it deserves, I'll be forced to
sue everyone. In explaining my love for this movie to my sister, I asked her
what she felt was the best movie of the year, she answered "American
Beauty" or "Being J.M."-- and whereas I agree that these were
both excellent movies, I explained it to her like this: "If
"American Beauty" & "Being J.M." were to have a
baby, it would still only turn out to be a tag-along, bedwetting younger
brother to "Magnolia."
frank t.j. mackey (tom b)
score = 100
Absolutely brilliant. anyone who does not like this movie has both no
culture, and no sense of greatness. the best acting of the year, best
directing, best screenplay, what more do you need? whoever thinks it
is too long, please tell me one scene that shouldn't have been there?
hilarious, poetic, beautiful, sad, forgiving, i have now seen it about six
times, and am more touched and in more awe each time i see it.
everything makes sense- if it was "too confusing," next time don't
even try to see something of substance- see "down to you."
bottem line: as close to perfection as you can get. i have a.d.d., and
i wanted to sit through another three hours, it was so good. movies
simply do not get any better then this. pt anderson is simply a
genius. THANK-YEE!
Daniel J. Christie
score = None
I'll skip the 1-to-10 rating since it's generally misleading and almost
always born of an initial burst of either enthusiasm or disappointment.
Magnolia was a beautiful, elegiac piece of cinema. It gave me hope that
America is still capable of great art in a time of lowest common denominator
movies. It didn't insult my intelligence. It allowed me to draw my own
conclusions. And, really, at its core, what was Magnolia? Nothing more than
a day in the life of Los Angeles. (Yes, I know it wasn't L.A. proper. I'm
Canadian. It all looks the same from up here. And it's been raining 'frogs'
up here for two hundred years...)I'll see it again. I was astounded at the
behaviour (good) of the audience. Everyone at the theatre I attended was
quiet, very quiet. It was as if every person there saw something of
themselves on the screen. A truly beautiful film. Not for everyone, mind.
But truly beautiful to those who care to give this movie the attention it
deserves.
Steve
score = 20
Excellent acting. That's all. I've noticed many people saying
that only people who like cliche, contrived, and, in my opinion, horrible
movies like Titanic WON'T like Magnolia. This could not be further
from the truth. I love movies that are difficult to understand, and
cannot be understood fully until the fourth or fifth time seeing it.
These movies are like tapestries, with interwoven pieces (which can be
difficult to understand) weaving together throughout the film to form a
masterpiece. This is how I heard Magnolia described. It isn't
true. And to those of you who are faulting its critics saying that
they didn't fully understand the Biblical undertones, etc. I
completely did. I knew every part of the Bible that was discussed or
aluded to in that movie. It still didn't make sense in any deeper way
than saying "life is chaotic." Magnolia was horrible, and
unless you often find yourself going to artsy movie festivals, watching a
movie, and thinking it was brilliant while everyone else in the theatre
walks out saying "that made no sense whatsoever," DON'T SEE IT.
David Grazziani
score = 80
Is everyone blind? The meaning is deep rooted. Many minds are to jumental to
see that their is a religous theme to the movie. First lets start with 8:2.
the number 82 is repeated constantly throught the movie. If you understand
the bible you will know what it means. "And if thou refuse to let them
go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs." This would
explain the refrence to the frog showers. There are many more refrences to
the bible;if you care to know what I have found, just email me at DGrazziani@hotmail.com
Davidof99
score = 100
This was a great slap in the face. remember:"The book(bible)says we may
be done with the past, but the past is not done with us" The bible is
the way to salvation and the movie Magnolia tells it. You may have already
heard of the meaning in Exodus 8:2, so I will elaborate on other refrences.
When the frogs were comming down and the boy was reading, did you care to
notice where the light was comming from??It came from the book!!The bible is
the light that guides us out of darkness. Or how about When the cop prays
for god to help him find his lost gun?? No prayer goes unanswered and as we
latter see, his gun came from the sky. Remember The bible is the word of
God. Some may think it is Irrational for any of the revalations to come
true, but as the movie so delicatly put it,"but it did
happen."Mail me for more info DGrazziani@hotmail.com
Dave H.
score = 10
Bar none, the worst movie I have ever seen. I can only think that Tom Cruise
and Julianne Moore have all of the money they will need and wanted to
torpedo their careers. A film to avoid... at all costs.
Tom
score = 10
Absolute worst film I have seen in my life. Three hours of mindless,
disjointed confusion. There was no story being told in this movie,
just utter nonsense. People if you read this to see what others are
saying ... Read this: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR YOUR MONEY! This
film will be on video release very soon I'm sure.
Luis
score = 100
Is that as high as the scores go? Magnolia is by far the most inventive and
utterly amazing film released this year. It is good to know that as we enter
the year 2000, there are still filmakers out there that will challenge us.
That will leave us in our seats to ponder the great thing our minds just
beheld. But it is also a very, very depressing thought that as we enter the
year 2000, the movie audience has been dumbed down by such drivel as Deuce
Bigalow: Male Gigalo, Big Daddy, and any other movie that makes ridicule of
our intelligence. Magnolia requires thought and opinion and interaction with
the characters and with the film itself. If you didn't enjoy or feel
challenged by this film, I truly hope that you didn't like the film on more
of a reason than "This is just dumb." Or because you because you
wanted to just sit there and have everything explained to you. Form your own
opinions on the film and treat yourself to a true art and brilliance. Stop
eating McDonalds crap and sit and enjoy a 5 star meal. This film is nearly
miraculous and utterly worthy of all superlatives. If you can recommend any
film, recommend this one and see what they think about it. Im sure you are
the only ones that missed the boat.
Mike
score = None
It amazes me to see everybody's different reaction to this movie. As
for the title, Magnolia is a street in the San Fernando Valley where much of
the movie takes place. Everybody intersects around Magnolia, so much
takes place on it throughout the movie. And, I think I heard that PT
Anderson grew up just off of Magnolia in North Hollywood.
Andrew Black
score = 80
Paul Anderson is undisciplined. There was too much going on in that
movie. The first fifteen minutes of the movie was fantastic as he
unloaded all that energy on the screen. It was downhill from there.
The characters motivations seemed muddy. I really did not believe
anything that came out of Julianne' Moore's mouth, since she was on drugs
most of the movie, and I found her suicide attempt to be more odd than
believable. Likewise, I never understood why William H. Macy decided
to rob the store. Yeah, I get that he was mad and felt ripped
off, but.....it still seemed out of character. Granted both were
dramatic which is what Paul Anderson likes, all climaxes. There is too
much repeition in the film. We get not one but two seniors dying of
cancer with unfinished business. We get two drug addicts. We get
two quiz kids (old and young). We get three public humiliations/public
meltdowns (the kid show host, the kid show contestant and Tom Cruise after
the nacho break.) It was just two much. Having said that, the visual
style of the movie is fantastic, some of the performances are outstanding
(Julianne Moore in the drug store, Tom Cruise when the reporter begins to
crack through his game), and the pace never lets up. The resolution felt
weak (the quiz kid saying to his dad: you'd better be nicer to me--so
what?). What are we to assume that the coked up daughter will suddenly
straighten out? She and the cop are headed for trouble unless he finds
an Al-Anon meeting real fast. It is interesting that P. Anderson's
movie "Boogie Nights" was about the porno industry, because
his "Magnolia" feels like porno too, all climaxes.
FB
score = 60
Although well acted and poiignant, this was still a very confusing movie.
Unlike life, we do expect our movies to make a certain kind of sense.
Usually things begin and end and have a purpose in movies. I do not
understand the frogs, I looked in the Bible about the plagues upon the
children of Israel, and they were sent because pharoah would not let the
Isrealites leave their enslavement. Nowhere in the movie was there an
enslavement. Unless it was the young boy with his father on the game show.
Please, someone, explain this to me. Thanks. FB
Pingu
score = 100
Luis: You've just explained everything I wanted to say! To anyone who didn't
like the movie: Ever heard of a thing called symbolism? The symbols and
themes and motifs are just exploding out of this film, which make it such an
interesting movie! It's deep, yet has messages which I think everyone can
use. The frogs, the songs, the powerful emotion and the irony - this should
be used for a study in English class. Thank you P.T.A! We've been waiting
for something like this...
Vincent
score = 90
Yes, Magnolia was Three hours long, and yes there were many characters with
no real main character stated...but I am giving a Standing Ovation to Paul
Thomas Anderson for making a superb film. This film is in it's own
rank. I love the style Anderson uses...with Mann's music actually USED
in the film to the fact that this movie has three distinct parts to
it( partly cloudy, rain, and Night...no rain)and yes, the ending...which is
wonderful. Anderson must've known that there would be a point that the
ending would be no longer believable and cheesy, and he succesfully brought
us almost to that point, making it all the more entertaining and
scrumptious. And a note to Chase--I don't know where you're from
buddy...but here nobody blurted out or moaned because of that ending-I think
you're in the minority! Congrats...P.T. Anderson on a remarkable
film!!!
Midas
score = 100
No in depth analysis of the film here. Like real life, this film is so
disturbing and offensive at times that I felt uncomfortable seeing it so
up-close and personal on the big screen. Still I was sucked into the film
and experienced it with my heart, head and stomach in a way that most movies
never even come close to. A million thanks to PTA and all that were
involved, and an even bigger thanks to the extremely talented Aimee Mann who
has a knack for writing songs that I end up listening to with my heart first
and ears second.
Unknown12
For someone who asked: Magnolia is the name of a street that runs
through the San Fernando Valley-- it's a main drag that basically divides
the affluent from the poor. The big question, though, is why did Anderson
actually substitute Victory Blvd. farther north for the night scenes at the
intersection? And was that a set, or the actual Laurel Canyon/Victory
crossing?
Tyler Durdon
score = 100
I thought that Magnolia was one of the best movies I have ever seen.
Combining excellent acting, camera work, music, and a fast paced story, I
think Magnolia deserves special recognition. Also, I believe that the people
who didnt get this plot were slow dim wits who wouldn't know a good movie if
it bit them in the *nose*. *cough carrie/eva* I totally agree with Josh.
Some movies need to be appreciated by intelligent movie-goers who like
Titanic and others that were so cheesy they were funny. Anyways, I have
never been so absorbed with a movie, and its tragic and realistic story was
completely believeable.
Enns, G.
score = 90
Hello Movie fans, The dichotomous responses to this movie were not a
surprise to me. Paul Thomas Anderson very boldly wrote a script full of
"in your face" controversy and deep symbolism which always has a
tendency to stir the crowd. However, this movie is about more than just a
collection of convoluted life stories. On a superficial level, it provides
many obvious references to how emotionally retarded we are as a society and
how it affects our childern. On a symbolic level, the movie makes several
references to the "Element of chance," and the Bible. The
beauty of this movie is that there is so much subtlety that one would have
to watch it again and again to fully comprehend it. People who hate riddles
will probably hate this movie.
Scott L.
score = None
All time worst movie I ever saw. Was emotionally draining while almost
boring me to death at the same time. Now that is a strange mix.
The acting and casting where excellent. If you feel you have to see
the movie wait till it is out on video so you can fast forward...
Hugh Braselton
score = 100
This has got to be one of the most exhilirating movie experiences I have
ever had. The acting is way above par, and the writing and directing
is the best I have seen in the past few years. P.T. Anderson is
amazing, and just like his other two movies, Magnolia feels like a breath of
fresh air in a world full of smog. The opening thirty minutes of the
movie is some of the best filmmaking I have ever seen. Magnolia forces
the viewer to think and for most moviegoers that is a scary thought, but it
is not near as scary as thinking of that Blair Witch sequel, good god!
Anderson is a true auteur and the best filmmaker of his day.
Hugh
score = 100
I don't know if my review made it, but I would like to get my say in on
Magnolia. In the past four years the moviegoers that like good movies
have been pounded with crap like Titanic(what a joke) and Wild Wild West.
Thank God for PT Anderson and his guts to make such a involving movie.
After seeing Magnolia I felt like I lived through the heartache and pain of
the people on screen, and the frog part at the end shows how extreme
measures can bring people together. An incident as absurd as falling
frogs is what it takes to bring some people to forgiveness and to start
over. The extremities of these people's actions seem almost
unforgiveable. Someone who says this movie is not entertaining is
obviously someone who thinks Jean-Claude Van Damme is a good actor and that
Simon Sez with Dennis Rodman was great. I advised a friend to go see
American Beauty, and his girlfriend cried the whole time, she hated it with
a passion. The next week they went and saw Blue Streak. I asked
her,In two years which movie will you remember Blue Streak or American
Beauty? And you have to ask yourself, what will you remember Magnolia
or Stuart Little? If your scared of emotions do not go see Magnolia.
If you love movies and think that the quality of movies is awful go see
Magnolia and you will be converted. If you don't go see Magnolia read
Exodus 8:2.
mango
score = 100
Wonderfull, amazing, perhaps perfect!, you have to think abaut it, i think
thats why someones dont like the movie, they dont like to think
marco
score = None
Impossible to give a score to, this just trancends normal filmic experience.
It is wonderful to watch something so bold, so ambitious put together with
such care and craft and with such sympathy and human understanding.
Fascinating to see the US film industry really beginning to see the market
for intelligent, literate, risk taking projects and I hope that this
remarkable film raises these stakes even higher. Paul Thomas Anderson, how
did you ever fit this into a 3 sentence pitch? ......'Er, OK, it's LA and
theres these people........'. Go and see it to see what movie making and
story telling can be about.
Andrew
score = 80
A splendid film, only a little bit too lengthy but never boring. A person of
average culture (but I am European) should be able to catch a significant
part of the innumerable references the film contains. It is highly rewarding
that so many of them go unexplained, so that it is up to the viewer to read
the whole thing at different levels. Those who give Magnolia a score of 50
or less probably did not get past level one. I was stunned to read here that
"(...) the first job of the playwrite [playwright, I assume] or the
novelist is to tell a story" as this is plain nonsense, as James Joyce
(and lots of others) have shown.
miky
score = 100
the movie is just great. its made for intellgent people, so decide if you
are one of those,and see it. if you are of those that only like TITANIC type
of movie, dont waste your time!!! (titanic its not a bad movie.)
Guilherme Castro
score = 80
Paul Thomas Anderson reproduz o fluxo alucinante de ações, sons e emoções
de nosso cotidiano. Surpreende com linguagens cinematográficas inesperadas.
Vale a pena ver.
Michael
score = 90
First of all, my girlfriend and I loved the film. With these
"types" of films, I tend to judge them based on how often I look
at my watch - with this one, I looked once after about 2 hours, then didn't
look again. Having seen it here in Stockholm, we had the advantage of
avoiding fuzzy dialogue, since all foreign films are sub-titled. Krizs's
reviews were intersting inasmuch they make me realize I'll have to watch
this film again when it comes out on video, since there were obviously loads
of hidden messages in the film that I neither saw nor understood. Without
wanting to be patronizing - to all of you who hated the film, there are
films that are entertaining (and that you forget as soon as you leave the
theater), and there are films that you can discuss for hours afterwards
(such as Breaking the Waves or Von Trier's Festen (a Danish film))
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