Rating: 
Summary: May be the best movie I've ever seen
Review: "I do have love," says William H. Macy in a moment of bitterness that is both heartbreaking and funny. "I have so much love to give. I could love someone."Meet "Magnolia." For anyone who ever had a dark day, or who sang along when the song "One" came on the radio, have I got a movie for you. I didn't see this movie right away -- it looked so dark and bitter in the previews. There's a time and a place for those deep dark depressing movies, so I saved it for video. Stupid me. I wish I'd caught it on the big screen as it deserved. As it is, I bought this deluxe DVD version within literal hours of viewing it on video, just to own it forever. This is the best film I've seen in years -- I'm still deciding if it's my favorite of all time. "Magnolia" has everything -- humor and pathos, high drama that scales almost operatic heights, and sweet ironic light touches of sweetness that will stay with me forever. It's definitely got its dark moments, but is ultimately about parents and children, about love even when you think you don't deserve it -- and, most of all, about forgiveness. It's a gorgeous piece of work. I can understand to some extent those who didn't like the film --in reading other reviews here, it looks as if some people didn't understand what was really behind the Cruise character, for instance. Sure, he's repellent. Which makes it all the more powerful (and uncomfortable) to see the person behind the jerky "Seduce and Destroy" guru, to see the horrific events that shaped him into the person that he is. The things that happened to his character shattered him into someone other than the person he was supposed to become. But even for him there is hope for redemption, as the film points out. What's wonderful about Magnolia is the way Anderson takes everything a step further. We see what Cruise's character becomes. We see everything we should hate about him. And then we see that all of this is just a facade, and that there's a good person still capable of tears locked away behind that mask. It's incredibly powerful, and yes, Cruise was robbed of that Oscar. (Sorry, I love Michael Caine, but really... which role was the greater stretch??) Yes, there are some not so nice people in this film, but as with "American Beauty," there's an overall sense of compassion and forgiveness to "Magnolia," as if an unseen eye really wants all these people to find happiness and a moment of grace. And for every character in the dark there's another in the light -- characters like the incredible Philip Seymour Hoffman's quiet caregiver, or Reilly's sweetly optimistic cop. Overall, these people aren't really bad so much as desperate, convinced that they're damned, unloved, unworthy. Throw all these characters together, along with some moments of quiet awareness and mythical whimsy, and "Magnolia" is a gorgeous movie. It's also one of those rare films whose music isn't just a canned drum track, but which instead actually is completely integral to what we see onscreen. The wonderful songs by Aimee Mann become almost another character in the film, the voice of their hidden hopes and fears. This is most poignantly illustrated in the final moments of the film, as well as in another absolutely strange, absolutely amazing scene that I won't even begin to spoil for you. You'll know it when you see it. There are so many good performances in "Magnolia" that I can't possibly single everyone out, but these include Julianne Moore, Melinda Dillon, William H. Macy, Jason Robards, Hoffman, Cruise, Reilly -- many more. And a special mention has to go to Melora Walters, who in the end provides the story's surprising but all-too-real damaged, hopeful heart. The changing expressions on her face at the film's end, combined with the perfect musical accompaniment in Aimee Mann's "Save Me," provided me with one of the most perfect movie moments I've ever experienced. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia... A REAL American Beauty
Review: For all the reasons that audiences praised "American Beauty" for depicting the human experience on film, "Magnolia" adds a more realistic, relatable, and multi-layered version of modern day themes of humanity. Many are quick to dismiss the true genious of P.T. Anderson as they fail to process his many subtle but powerful symbolic gestures (the rapping black prophet kid, the use of drugs as a release, the allusion to raining frogs...). It is a reflection of our own lives, flashing back to us a reminder of what's important in life and how it's never too late to make amends for lifelong mistakes. On a technical note, the soundtrack is beautifully implemented and the picture quailty is very detailed and clear. Most important, this is a movie where the extra disc full of bonus materials will help to illuminate the mulitple dimensions and deeper layers for the film. Simply put, this film is an amazing work, more deserving of Best Picture than "American Beauty."
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia
Review: Magnolia is a long film at 3 hours but well worth it. You cant sit down expecting to be blasted away with special effects or to see cops chasing robbers.Otherwise you will be disapointed. This movie also will take a little bit of thinking on your part during as well as after. In the end youll either love it,or you will curse the day you ever thought of seeing it(and ask yourself why you listen to me). But in the end Magnolia is a deep almost stream of conciousness like movie that will probably be required viewing material for future english classes of America.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: As another reviewer stated: we all have the right to our opinions, and art IS subjective. I'm not going to try to refute that, but I must throw my opinion of this movie into the mix. My friend and I both watched this movie for the second time and agreed that it only gets better after multiple viewings. The tale that Mr. Andersen weaves has so many different dimensions - the complex themes and character development take time to fully comprehend. True, most of the characters in this film are dysfunctional, and the language is terrible (and this does disturb people, like my mother. I love her dearly and respect her opinion, but she hated American Beauty because it was too dysfunctional), but these negative qualities have their purpose. I walked away from the movie with the message that - yes, these things do happen. And yes, people are like this - disturbed, troubled, confused, and not entirely likable all the time. But real question is this: "How do we deal with it - with life? How much can we forgive my friend?" I don't know the answer to that question. True art makes you think a bit and helps you see the beauty in even the rough parts of life. About the aesthetic appeal of the movie - the camera style was choppy, but for me this only contributed to the urgency of the film. The fast pace made me question what was going on and what was going to happen next. And the three hours just flew right by. Additionally, the shots of Julianne Moore in the car (looking like death itself) and Stanley looking out the window as frogs pour down outside struck me as particularly beautiful. They could hang on a wall in an art gallery. Aimee Mann's soundtrack played an integral role and helped create a definite mood. Basically, nothing was superfluous - everything contributed to the overall artistic vision and meaning of the film. I could go off for ages about how much I love this movie and this director, but I've rambled long enough. Go watch it yourself; nobody else can make up your mind for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Concept and theme should not outweigh plot.
Review: After an outstanding debut with "Boogie Nights," P.T. Anderson left me a little flat with this followup. With "Magnolia" he seems obsessed with something he started in "Nights:" following the individual lives of his characters. The problem is that where in "Nights" we see how they are all connected from the beginning and all action for several years is put into motion by one event (the arrival of Eddie/Dirk), "Magnolia" follows a 24 hour period of a group of people, all of whom are connected through one character, some of them tenuously or second or third hand. We do not get a chance to really identify with any characters, or sympathize with many of them. A sudden, out-of-nowhere plot twist affects them all within the last 15 minutes, a conceit Anderson should not have needed. It seems like Anderson came in with a concept (the many lives flowering out from one person's life like a Magnolia; almost an "It's A Wonderful Life" from everyone else's point-of-view) and a theme ("these things happen," as one character says) but seems to have sacrificed an overarching plot to them. This film has more in common with Richard Linklater's "Slacker" than it does with "Boogie Nights," so if you liked the former and not the latter, you might want to give this film a try. If you liked the latter and not the former, give it a pass.
Rating: 
Summary: Innovative and moving--despite the length...
Review: During the first thirty minutes of Magnolia, you wonder "Will this thing ever slow down?" The movie speeds ahead at freight train pace, and a lack of attention will leave you behind, but the speed is nothing short of exhilirating. At other points in the movie, you'll ask "Is there a point to all this?" That question is answered in a few of the storylines, but not all. The superb ensemble cast, including Julianne Moore, Melora Waters, Tom Cruise, and Jason Robards among others, makes this movie, along with Anderson's interesting direction. Each storyline, none of which are "sub"plots, zoom ahead down their individual paths. Julianne Moore's character comes closer and closer to the brink, Tom Cruise's sex-guru is slowly taken apart by a journalist and his own past, and John C. Reilly's cop character tries to find love while a move of dramatic irony shows that the woman of his dreams (Melora Waters) should be someone he needs to arrest. Jeremy Blackman, a newcomer playing Stanley the quiz-kid, gives a great performance as a character you can't help but sympathize with. All these conflicts and intersections are finally brought together with an act of Biblical proportions that truly displays the uniqueness and innovation of P.T. Anderson and his directing. And in the words of Stanley, "This is something that happens." While not all of the characters find happy endings, Anderson makes a genuine effort to try to make sure they all find something they've wanted (whether consciously or subconsciously) at least. With movies such as "The Green Mile" and "Titanic" equalling the length of "Magnolia," Anderson's vision is still not quite as mainstream as these other blockbusters and therefore didn't shatter the glass ceiling of ticket sales, but I bet Anderson really didn't care if he made millions from his film. After "Boogie Nights" and its success (which starred a few of the same actors as "Magnolia"), Anderson was finally able to explore more of his directing skills (whether they hit their mark or fell flat) and this was the satisfaction of Magnolia. Although, I admit, I laughed so hard seeing Anderson's jaw drop, being comforted by girlfriend and fellow enfant terrible Fiona Apple, at the Oscars when he didn't win Best Director. However, congratulations to Tom Cruise for his nomination and to Anderson for pulling this amazing performance out of him. I expect a lot more from Anderson in the future, and he just might deliver.
Rating: 
Summary: Self-indulgent, adolescent crap!
Review: This movie is hideous on many levels. The unending stream of gratuitous obsenities that are mouthed by every character really dulls the impact of the words, adds nothing and makes the characters quite unsympathetic. I am sure this is part of the appeal to the teenage market. The story was dark, but ultimately childish, with it's emphasis on forced symbolism, the "sins of the father" theme and the phony web of "interconnections" that was supposed to hold our attention to the end. The loud music over the voices, and the endless motion of the camera put my nerves on on a very unpleasant edge. After 10 minutes I was ready to stop this disaster, but I hung around to see how bad it would get - it didn't disappoint me in that regard as it plodded along with 3 hours of "do you get it?" cuteness. It is not surprising that 12 year old reviewers like this film, for that is where it is aimed - and that is ultimately the saddest thing about this sad, sad movie. Kudos to ILM for the frogs; these special effects were the only interesting thing about this movie.
Rating:
Summary: but it DID happen
Review: After Hard Eight and Boogie Nights, it wasn't immediately clear what direction P.T. Anderson would take. Many people wouldn't believe him capable to make a masterpiece, but it DID happen
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Magnolia
Review: WOW ! This film has left me speechless. I've watched it and I'm still not sure what to make of it. It's been a long, long time since I've seen a film this good. I knew nothing about the film before seeing it except that it was based on some songs by Aimee Mann. Being an Aimee Mann fan I decided to check it out and I can only say, if you see one film in your lifetime, see Magnolia. I bought the two disc version and the extra features are well worth the extra money. If I ever find another disc/film as good as this I would be very surprised.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and full of emotion
Review: This movie is one of the best movies I have come across. It is exciting and full of emotion, providing more character depth. As a reviewer said, that Magnolia is a 3 hour trip about 8 characters lifes, yes that is true, and the same goes with books, how it's trying to develop a character. This movie not only develops one but also goes deep within their emotions and how some change, stay the same, or are enlightened. I know there are other movies that do this too, but how can other movies show 8 characters lifes in 180 minutes without making the audience seem as they are being cheated emotionally. Magnolia does it in such a precise way.
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