# Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973 "2004-12-21T14:57:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/21 "2004-12-22T20:34:41Z")
I loved _Moulin Rouge_, but the characters weren’t what was driving that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/22 "2004-12-22T20:43:53Z")
I love _Magnolia_ although I admit I didn’t know I loved it while I was watching it. It wasn’t until I ouldn’t really get it out of my head that I realized it was as special film (for me of, of course). It seems, though, that it is in the top five of all-time most polarizing films (probably right up there with _Moulin Rouge_ (never saw it) and _Natural Born Killers_ (horrible movie). ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/23 "2004-12-22T21:07:59Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Since I don’t really have anything else to say, I’ll just link to [**Cervaise** ’s review of the movie.](http://www.moviegeek.homestead.com/files/magnolia.htm) Thanks. Looks like I was right on the money with my evaluation. And as I recall the recent multi-page Pit thread in which the OP argued against the value of abstract and ambiguous art forms, I’m going to leave the above “thank you” as my only comment here. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/24 "2004-12-23T00:01:46Z")
I actually read the script before I saw the film. It reads so much better than it plays. So, loved the script, didn’t care for the film. Has anybody ever had this reaction to any film? Philip Seymour Hoffman is fantastic, though, and Julianne Moore is very good in her “meltdown at the druggist” scene (or was it at a doctor’s office?). Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/25 "2004-12-23T13:44:26Z")
> [@Sir Rhosis](#): > > Philip Seymour Hoffman is fantastic, though, and Julianne Moore is very good in her “meltdown at the druggist” scene (or was it at a doctor’s office?). Really? Hoffman’s performance, and Moore’s breakdown were the first and foremost examples of the acting I hated in this movie. I felt they were way overdone. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/26 "2004-12-23T13:47:04Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Thanks. Looks like I was right on the money with my evaluation. > > And as I recall the recent multi-page Pit thread in which the OP argued against the value of abstract and ambiguous art forms, I’m going to leave the above “thank you” as my only comment here. Gee, that was a little backhanded and snarky. So I happen to think the purpose of art is to either A) entertain, or B) communicate. The movie didn’t entertain, and ambiguity is, by definition, a hindrance to communication. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/27 "2015-03-06T19:14:27Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > I saw it once and had no desire to see it again. But I think it could have been improved if it hadn’t been dragged out for such a friggin’ long time. The length just seemed unnecessary to me. And the part where all the characters are listening to the same song at the same time and singing along to it was so contrived that I could do nothing but roll my eyes. One of the few movies I’ve watched multiple times… just saw it again last night. The soundtrack doesn’t hurt at all. I went back to see what won that year…Tarzan I think, sheesh! Now we’ll see if this zombie still has legs…maybe with Hoffman’s death and Moore’s subsequent nominations. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/28 "2015-03-06T20:39:30Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > The rain of frogs part knocked my right out of the movie. :mad: Once I got past the beginning and into the movie, it was okay. Not brilliant, but good. When the rain of frogs happened, I couldn’t care less what happened to anyone. That was entirely pointless. That summed up my reaction pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/29 "2015-03-06T21:03:48Z")
I do love Magnolia and particularly Tom Cruise in it. Although, really, I like everyone’s performance. It’s one of those movies I saw in a theatre and came out stunned, trying to understand what I’d just seen. In a good way, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/30 "2015-03-06T22:10:31Z")
My take? Two things: 1. I thought \*\*\*Magnolia \*\*\*was a brillaint film. 2. I understand perfectly why a lot of people HATE it. So, I’ve always been very careful about who I recommend it to, because if I told, say, my wife how good it was, I have no doubt she’s watch it uncomprehendingly for a while, then turn it off, glaring at me as if to say, “What the hell is wrong with you???” It definitely is not for everyone. I won’t even try to convince the OP of its merits. I found it funny and touching, and especially loved John C. Reilly as the hapless, well-meaning cop. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/31 "2015-03-06T22:23:37Z")
I haven’t seen in in years, but I remember being really moved by it. Tom Cruise was really, really good. He may be a nut, but he is a good actor, and he was terrific in _Magnolia_. Like **astorian** , I also loved Reilly’s ineffective cop. She might have overdone it a skosh, but I thought Julianne Moore’s breakdown about her husband’s death was powerful. After marrying him for his money and cheating on him for years, she finally really loves him and hates the money. “We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us.” ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2015, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/32 "2015-03-07T08:55:38Z")
I saw it and by the end couldn’t really understand what it was about, what the central ‘theme’ was or what had actually happened. The second time I ‘got it’ and have since watched it around ten times. It’s my favourite film of all time, the message really connects to me on a personal level. Another thing I like about it is that it introduced me to the incredible talents of PSH (RIP), Julianne Moore, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, and Paul Thomas Anderson. Oh, and of course Aimee Mann. Julianne Moore’s breakdown in the drug store gives me goosebumps every time I watch it, PSH is absolutely outstanding in every scene he’s in, Cruise almost verges on parody and he could’ve toned down some of his scenes but he - in such exalted company - held up okay. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/33 "2015-03-09T17:39:27Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > I saw it and by the end couldn’t really understand what it was about, what the central ‘theme’ was or what had actually happened. The second time I ‘got it’ and have since watched it around ten times. It’s my favourite film of all time, the message really connects to me on a personal level. > > Another thing I like about it is that it introduced me to the incredible talents of PSH (RIP), Julianne Moore, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, and Paul Thomas Anderson. Oh, and of course Aimee Mann. Julianne Moore’s breakdown in the drug store gives me goosebumps every time I watch it, PSH is absolutely outstanding in every scene he’s in, Cruise almost verges on parody and he could’ve toned down some of his scenes but he - in such exalted company - held up okay. I’m not sure that I “get it”. Mainly like to watch the characters, performances…and listen to the soundtrack. Is “it” about dieing literally and figuratively…that there are many ways to do so? That would explain the urban legend beginning…the frogs not so much. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/34 "2015-03-09T23:53:17Z")
Wow, I thought this movie had the most relatable characters of any movie I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/35 "2015-03-10T00:42:57Z")
I remember what my father was like when he was in states of dementia and Robards captures that perfectly. Lose him, PSH (maybe his most compassionate performance), Moore & Cruise, and you lose the most moving part of the film. Certainly the most expendable thread is Macy with the barflies, but having Henry Gibson there (and Michael Murphy elsewhere) are nice shootouts to Altman. Love the last scene, where Reilly (who’s never been better) makes his appeal and you only hear bits of dialogue between Mann’s lyrics, and then at the last second, Walters looks straight into the camera and smiles. The “Wise Up” sing along is the last time I cried in a contemporary movie. Incredibly powerful way of unifying everyone in an ingenious and touching way. The movie has its detractors for sure, and its pretensions. But it’s such an audacious film that really shoots aims for the bleachers–and succeeds far more than it has any right to. Love it. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/36 "2015-03-10T01:27:39Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > I’m somewhat torn on the whole Magnolia thing. I liked parts of it, and I think Paul Thomas Anderson is a promising director. I missed the date on this thread, and was thinking, what more do you expect at this point? Instead I’ll just say I think you were right, Harborwolf. Magnolia does have its faults. It may pretentious at times and a bit overlong, but I felt a great connection to the characters and I’m kind of sad when people don’t get that from it. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973/37 "2015-03-10T06:10:32Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > Love the last scene, where Reilly (who’s never been better) makes his appeal and you only hear bits of dialogue between Mann’s lyrics, and then at the last second, Walters looks straight into the camera and smiles. I love this too. Love the way it was shot. That smile was great. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-thomas-andersons-magnolia/280973.md?page=1)