Rating: 
Summary: Where, oh where, did three hours of my life go?
Review: Magnolia. What does the title even mean? When this movie ended, a brief 3 hours and 15 minutes after it started, I pondered and lost sleep wondering what in the hell I just learned. What came of the characters and why were our expectations driven to believe that some sort of chain of coincidental events would occur. Granted there were some career performances for Hoffman and Cruise (among others), the story was watered down to being unbearable. The camera work was kinda cool, very kinetic by it's unsettling movement, but frankly I kinda wanted every character to die or suffer for being so down and whiny. To top it all off, there is a bizarre plot twist towards the end that stands as the most random thing ever in film history. I promise you, you're missing nothing if you save the money, the energy, the time and especially the aggravation.
Rating: 
Summary: Harsh and amazing
Review: Every now and then, a film comes along which leaves me affected in a largely mysterious way after I see it. The subtle power and resonance of 'The Graduate,' the pure directness of 'Braveheart' and the staggering balance of mental and physical violence in 'Saving Private Ryan' are all some examples of what I am talking about. Now that I have seen 'Magnolia' I am yet again touched in a way that will take a long time to figure out. The plot is not complex, it is just the story of nine different people living around San Fernando Valley, going through the events of a day (some of which are happening at the same time). Each and every one has a different sequence of relatively horrible things happening to them. Although at times it is difficult to watch, it is also almost impossible not to. In a sense, it is hypnotic, but not to the point where you are simply a drooling mass. You actually want to watch it. Here is my attempt to describe the characters to my best. Tom Cruise plays a man who teaches seminars on how to pick up women, and is the long lost son of Jason Robards, who is dying of cancer. Julianne Moore plays Robards' wife, addicted to over-the-counter drugs and is preyed upon by memories of the horrible things she has done. Philip Seymour Hoffman is Robards' sincere nurse, who has grown to care deeply for the man who is dying in front of him. Philip Baker Hall plays a legendary game show host, trying to deal with the short time he has left, and connect with his estranged coke-addict daughter, played by Melora Walters. William H. Macy is the former famous 'quiz-kid' of the sixties, a genius in his time, ended abruptly by a bolt of lightning, and is now lost in his world of stupidity and frantic love. John C. Reilly is the hopeless romantic police officer, who would seem to do anything to find someone to love him. Jeremy Blackman is a boy genius, sick of the spotlight and his father's careless devotion to making money through his son. The three-hour length is completely necessary for this movie to serve its purpose. For the first hour, it just seems like a handful of random scenes thrown together which serve no general purpose. Yet, as the movie develops, the characters and their events begin to converge on one another. This is done carefully, and there isn't really any deep mystery or soap-opera-like surprises. It runs smoothly and everything comes together in the end. Paul Thomas Anderson, who brought us the ever-wonderful 'Boogie Nights' scores above and beyond with this film. His direction is sleek and stylish, with extremely long takes and steady-cam shots, which work wonderfully. The dialogue is sharp, simple, witty, humorous, and heartbreaking all in one. Each character is captured perfectly in their separate worlds with everything coming down in different ways. The experience of watching this film was sort of a combination of terror, joy, fear and hope. I can't quite explain it all, but that is sort of how I feel. It is almost like the entire world was captured in this movie. All of the things I see-like the horrible ways in which people treat each other, and the unattainable dreams which seem to haunt everyone's life-are all contained within this unbelievable experience of a motion picture. The acting is perhaps the most perfect I have ever seen. Every single actor gives an absolutely flawless performance. I cannot really single out anyone specifically, because the presentation, tone, and physical aspects all work in harmony together. I suppose if I were to choose a favorite, it would be Tom Cruise. He proves here that he has a talent far deeper than anyone could have guessed. Perhaps I choose him because his character's past is all-too similar to some of my experiences. But, aside from that, his performance is truly a great one. I particularly loved the scene where he breaks down, facing his tortured past right in the middle of a seminar he is giving. He is forced to deal with his hatred of his father and loses himself in a single, five-minute (roughly) take, which I couldn't imagine any other actor pulling off. And with the single performances as wonderful as they are, the chemistry between the actors is haunting. With that, I would choose the scenes between John C. Reilly and Melora Walters, in which their lives seem to come together and help each other through the vile things that are happening. I know that this seems less like a review of a movie, and more like my describing the experience of watching the movie. Well, the technical aspects are perfect, but it is the experience that is what left me speechless. The combination is a rare thing to find in cinema today, and I am glad that 'Magnolia' bravely and strongly found both of them. The way the world and its people work is a mystery, and 'Magnolia' doesn't find any answers or give any clues, but explores the beauty and ugliness of the great puzzles we try to piece together to make our lives work.
Rating:
Summary: A simply great film.
Review: Magnolia starts out as 7 or 8 separate vignettes, each focusing on one individual in this ensemble cast. As the long (3hr) movie progresses, you can see the relationship that is weaved between each of these characters. This complex movie is superbly acted and directed -- otherwise it would be a mess of conflicting stories. At just over 3 hours long, Magnolia moves quickly enough and holds your attention up until the final scene. Tom Cruise's Oscar nomination is definitely warranted here, and Aimee Mann's songs are the glue that holds the multiple plots together. Julianne Moore is spectacular as the harried wife of dying Jason Robards, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a standout as Robards' male nurse. A complex story with the whole range of emotions, this is a definite must see.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I've never tried to write a review of a movie before, and frankly, don't feel particularly well equipped to do so. However, considering how many people walked out of this movie both times I saw it (about 15 total), and the mixed word-of-mouth I'm picking up, I felt the need to speak up. This is a great movie. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I am convinced that even people who disliked the film recognized that they were watching the work of a major talent. Don't let the long running time of this movie scare you off. Paul Thomas Anderson maintains tension and energy throughout, via a combination of great writing, directing, and editing. The only moments I wasn't completely absorbed in the film were the many times I paused to note to myself, "This guy is good." This movie is unquestionably a must see. There's no guarantee you'll love it, but you should not take the chance that you'll miss what could be (I'm resisting the arrogant temptation to say 'should be') one of your more rewarding film experiences in quite some time.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly overrated! Mediocre at best.
Review: I'm sure I've seen worse movies than Magnolia; however, I amhaving trouble thinking what they might be. Paul Thomas Anderson hascreated a seemingly unconnected display of characters that portray human nature at its very worst. I find it very hard to believe that this film is Oscar-caliber in any category. Actor performances are contrived and two-dimensional. Tom Cruise shows character development, but the result is highly unsatisfying after waiting two and a half hours for any change. The one believable, redeeming performance is given by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role of Phil Parma, hospice nurse to the bedridden, dying Jason Robards. Hoffman's emotional commitment to a believable character is evident. The story (or rather, stories, despite the one-plot-one-climax rule) is disjointed and disappointing. Events that would be of major importance in any other film are mentioned, shown or alluded to -- and then left by the wayside in favor of minor scenes that are connected only by coincidence. Eerie foreshadowing also has a role in this production. While I don't want to reveal anything, expecting the unexpected may be good advice. Sweeping cinematography does nothing to rescue this movie from itself. The blurry, choppy camera angles and shots, possibly intended to add drama to the film's emotional tone, succeed only in leaving the audience dizzy with no feeling of closure. In summary, Magnolia is best described as being a film about regret, guilt, and the emotional and physical catharsis that comes with confession. END
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: I'm a huge fan of P.T Anderson so going in I was expecting a very good movie. What I got was a masterpiece a cinematic experience like no other i've seen. However for those of you who have never seen P.T Anderson's work I suggest you watch Hard Eight and/or Boogie Nights first and if you like them i'm sure you will like this. If you hate these movies then stay as far away from this movie as you can. Also with the previews and commericals you now get in the theater it runs about 3 hrs 15 mins so have a lot of time on your hands when you go and see it. Once again a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: How very much alike....
Review: I am thrilled to add Magnolia to my top 10 list of all time. The movie is riveting in every way, script, direction, filming, acting, music. A movie in which individuals search for redemption passionately, and beg for forgiveness. It strips its characters down to thier bones, and shows how very very similar we all are to each other...how all of us have problems with our relationships and our parents, how we all feel ugly and unlovable and stupid at times, and these things connect us....if we could see, we could be less lonely. If we could accept strange twists of fate, and work with them, hope for redemption and search for it, even if never found, its better than false grace ever present and permeating modern cinema.
Rating:
Summary: Completely captivating and haunting
Review: P.T. Anderson's 'Magnolia' is, without question, one of the most beautifully crafted movies I've ever seen. It is by far the best picture of the year. Every aspect is an example of perfection. The acting is breathtaking. This is tough material to work with, and the ensemble cast (almost everyone from Boogie Nights) handles it extremely well. Tom Cruise gives a shattering performance, better than any work he's ever done before. As does Jason Robards, who plays Cruise's cancer-ridden father. Every cast member is perfect, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Melora Walters, John C. Reily, Philip Baker Hall. All give believable performances that have stuck with me as being some of the best ever. P.T. Anderson's script and direction work together in perfect harmony, creating some wonderful camerawork that goes hand in hand with some very though provoking dialogue. There is no real constructive plot, just the stories of several people living in and around L.A. For the first hour, the movie seems to go nowhere. It just seems like a bunch of random scenes thrown together. But, as the trailer suggests, it all does make sense in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia embodies the very reason we watch movies
Review: Outstanding! Brilliant! This movie has it all. A great story, an outstanding character building force, a breathtaking soundtrack. this is clearly one of the greatest films of all time. clearly this movie is going to sweep the oscars this year....and even if it dosent, it has made a long lasting impression on me. This movie is clearly comparabe to Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Dances with Wolves & LA Confedential. Every minute of this extraordinary creation was worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute filth!
Review: I find it hard to believe anyone could sit through this disgusting movie. I expect this from Tom Cruise but am disappointed in Jason Robards, one of my favorites. It saddens me that this movie wasn't rated "X".
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