Rating: 
Summary: Star-studded mosaic of human emotion and chance.
Review: "Magnolia" is a film of the highest regard, taking on a massive amount of story and turning it into three hours of nothing but real-to-life scenarios and themes. These experiences are embedded in the lives of various people who we are intoduced to throughout the movie, who quietly and outwardly affect one another's lives throughout the course of a single day. This is done with the utmost precision and intelligence in storytelling and brilliance, providing an intriguing and mesmerizin look into their lives. There is not a single theme left untouched, a certain lifestyle or event unturned, and in its slow and building narrative, I found myself wanting to know more about these peoples' lives instead of becoming bored with it. On this point, the movie delivers, starting off by introducing us to the characters, all of whom will appear thin and uninvolving during the first third of the movie. Rich man Earl Partridge is terminally ill, under the care of male nurse Phil Parma while his young wife Linda runs around in circles for his medication and retainment of her sanity. Frank T.J. Mackey, whose middle initials remain a mystery until later, runs an organization called "Seduce and Destroy," which teaches men to "respect" the male member while taming the female. Overly emotional cop Jim Kurring, a simple man who talks to himself, aspires to become involved with coke addict Claudia Gator, who likes loud music and has an extreme hatred for her father Jimmy Gator, who is the host of a game show named "What Do Kids Know?" and is ill with cancer. A contestant on the show, Stanley Spector, is ruled over by his father, who cares more for his son's fame than his well-being. And Donnie Smith, a well-known contestant of the show many years ago, wants a pair of braces in hopes of attaining a relationship with a local braces-sporting bartender. The movie takes all of this in stride for the first hour, but soon takes a different avenue in the characters' lives. Things begin to take a turn for the worse, or the better; it's all in how the audience views these changes. We learn things about the characters that some willingly admit, some have tried to keep hidden from the world, and some who cannot help but let their feelings escape. This outward emotional vent takes the movie into a realization period: these revelations are what tie the separate stories together, and it's intriguing to watch how each one reacts to different truths, and the actions they take upon these discoveries. The story requires a lack of logic; its dealings with chance and coincidence are very heavy-handed and will lead most viewers to disbelieve in its story and twists. I, too, found myself beginning to dwindle away from the story until things started picking up, and then I realized that in paying attention to the mere coincidences the story takes on, one will certainly miss out on the important themes, emotions and feelings that the movie conveys. There is a point to the movie, and if you can make it past the first hour, which may test the patience of some, you'll find that it's well worth the wait to discover just what secrets it has been hiding. The final act of the movie is all about coming to terms with ones self, with others around them, and with the realizations of the past, the present, and the effects both will have on the future. Through each of these characters' lives, we learn many different things: The past cannot be put away, no matter how hard you may try; sins are forgiven, whether it be the committer of that sin or a person who finds them in turmoil. These, among others, are the many themes and realities of life that come to pass in a day in the life of these people, and they are what seal the film's fate as one of surprisingly heartfelt emotion and understanding of the human heart and mind. The cast for this movie is, bar-none, the best I've ever seen in any film. Period. In a movie like this, the cast makes the movie, and here, there is nothing but total admiration for such intriguing performances. The leads and supporting roles are played by Tom Cruise (Frank), whose peformance is one of the movie's best, Philip Baker Hall (Jimmy Gator), Melora Gator (Claudia), William H. Macy (Donnie), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Phil) in his best and most moving performance to date, Jason Robards (Earl Partridge), Julianna Moore (Linda), John C. Reilly (Jim Kurring), who provides most of the film's insight and thought, and Jeremy Blackman as Stanley. These actors are so interesting to watch onscreen, partly because of their talent, and partly because director Paul Thomas Anderson infuses them with his enthusiasm and joy of making this movie so brilliant. There is never a meaningless moment in "Magnolia:" what we're left with is an intense and energetic examination into the ways that chance affect the lives of everyday people, and the things we do in life that affect who we become emotionally, physically and socially. Anderson is able to make all of this work by tying up all loose ends as the movie draws to a close, leaving us with no questions as to what happens to the characters as they move on in life. The cast, the moving ways in which the script manipulates them, and the overall effect are outstanding, making this the best picture of 1999.
Rating: 
Summary: UGH!!
Review: This was perhaps the WORST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN!! No plot. Too long. Characters who had to cuss and pitch fits in order to convey their "feelings." A terrible soundtrack of several 15 or 20 minute long opera type pieces that just drone on in the background. And then there's the cast sing-a-long as all of the characters whine about their self-created poor me misery. And then there were the frogs?? Are you kidding me!! "Boogie Nights" was mildly amusing at best. "Magnolia" was an abysmal and irredeemable mess. Everything was so amateurish about this film. Especially the writing. Even the two most seemingly interesting characters -- the cop and Tom Cruise's character -- could have been done SO much better. Oh, man, this film was just something excruciating to have to sit through. A ZERO-STAR lemon-flop-dud-bomb.
Rating:
Summary: not intended for the average film viewer
Review: The main reason this film was not a "blockbuster" is because its not the type of movie mainstream America likes. There are no endless sex scenes, no 'shoot em up' car chases, and the plot is unique, rather than the usual 'boy meets girl' plots of the 90's and 00's. This film was made for the rest of us, the ones who can see straight through the tripe that Hollywood keeps feeding us. Finally, a film was made not to pander or placate, but to make people think. If you are a person who appreciates a film for its beauty rather than its entertainment value, this ones for you!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Magnoila is Magcrapia
Review: After seeing the brilliantly entertaining 'Boogie Nights', what a dissapointing film. Yes it's spectacular, and yes good acting (Cruise a standout), but the film goes nowhere. Characters (who we don't necessarily care about) appear, get hysterical then dissolve into an apparently 'inspired' finale. Don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: In the top 10 Best Ever
Review: I'm 43, have seen a zillion movies, and this is one of the ones in my Top Ten Best Ever. And I almost didn't see it, because of so-so reviews, most of which talked about Tom Cruise. Not a big fan of Cruise, this movie made me realize what a powerful actor he is. He did NOT overshadow the rest of the actors or the movie. See this movie. Sit back, and take it in as a View of Life. Powerful, powerful, powerful.
Rating:
Summary: An overblown self-indulgent mess
Review: This movie is the epitome of bad flimmaking, pure and simple. A vignette movie with not one interesting character. The cop was absent of commonsense. Cruise's character was only a very occasionally clever satire. The coked-out daughter - boring. The old men dying of cancer - who cares, they couldn't stop cussing. The pill-popping druggy wife - absolutely uninteresting. The ex-quiz show champ who wants braces - see a therapist. The new little quiz show champ - ok, I felt for him. And then there are the frogs - get out your Sugar Smacks - this has to be one of the stupidest plot devices ever. It worked in the Bible. But in "Magnolia" it's evidence of a pompous and pretentious young director far outreaching his grasp. It doesn't work in any way, shape or form. For 3 hours I watched almost every scene end with one of these idiotic characters blowing an emotional head gasket. One pointless temper tantrum after another, complete with lots of cussing to help them make their "point." The complexity of these characters amounted to if they didn't get their way they exploded and cussed a lot. BORING!! This was a terrible film. One of the worst of all time. I can't decide which is worse between this and "The Green Mile" -- both were awful but for different reasons. Oh, I just had a nightmarish idea, maybe Frank Darabont can adapt a Stephen King novel and Paul Anderson can direct the awful mess. Guaranteed: the next time I see any of these names -- King, Darabont, Anderson -- in conjunction with any film, I *won't* be watching it. Consider this a lesson learned. Zero stars. Another three hours of my precious life wasted. (This review took 8 & 1/2 minutes to write, so I didn't waste much on it :)
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, but not phenomenal
Review: PT Anderson is a great filmmaker, and he seems destined for household status one day. In this three hour opus, detailing the lives of nine different characters in a two day span, Anderson pulls out tales of hardship, betrayal, and love. Yes, those three are many of the themes intertwined in this film. The performances are solid, and as all the critics raved, Tom Cruise is excellent as a misogynistic sex guru with a checkered past. Anderson's script combined with the actors, manage to provide real depth to these damaged people including late great Jason Robards as a dying TV producer with one last sin to atone for, and John C. Reilly as a decent cop. Now, in terms of the not phenomenal part... There's a more than lengthy marketing campaign that they put on and they put in an easter egg, however, they don't even bother to show the deleted scenes, which is a surprise considering the length of the movie. The appearance of a commentary is non-existent. What's cool on the DVD is a video diary with Anderson and the making of the film, as well as a music video by Aimee Mann, but if you're purchasing this DVD expecting tons of bonus features, buy something else.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic portrayal of the human experience....
Review: This film is somewhat of a sleeper. Although it did not win Best Picture, it does give a slightly more realistic portrait of the everyday mistakes and pitfalls in which humanity suffers. However, many viewers were probably somewhat uplifted by the giddy spirit "American Beauty" seemed to hold, while "Magnolia" is depressing in an almost suicidal fashion. The premise is one of simplicity: An extremely detailed portrait of the lives of nine humans living in San Fernando Valley. Most of them don't know each other, although three or four of them are related. Some of the characters' secrets will be exposed on this day, some will make amends, and some will "...just, give up..." as a little boy sings in the last line of the Aimee Mann song "Wise Up," which all the characters have a part in singing at the end of the film. What easily could've been a bland film, this is so far from it!!!! The performances, especially from Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, and Jason Robards are electrifying and stunning, especially when Moore and Cruise break down (her in a drugstore, he at his dying father's bedside). At the day's end, the sky poors a little more than rain...something it probably hasn't poured before or ever will again... P.T. Anderson makes it a point to use rather warm lighting, yet somewhat bland colors in certain scenes to create a stark contrast. This film is not meant to be extremely uplifting, although it does seem to want to tell us that it's never to late to say "I'm sorry" to someone we've hurt. The film is also highly enhanced by its haunting score, and the wonderful songs from the remarkable Aimee Mann (most notably "One," "Save Me," and "Wise Up," which are used throughout the film). For all it's worth, "Magnolia" is a great piece of the detail of everyday human life in a 24 hour period, and at its epic running time, it seems that it could encompass an entire day.
Rating: 
Summary: DVD needs more!
Review: This movie is sprawling and sometimes disconnected and pure genius. Despite its imperfections or because of its imperfections, it is in my all-time top ten favorite movies list, but I have noticed that a lot of people either love it or hate it. If you like nontraditional movies, it is definitely worth a rental if you missed it in the theatre, however. It has the quirkiness of State and Main, the intersections of Traffic, and the feel of American Beauty. I love the easter eggs on the dvd set, but this dvd would be so much better if there was commentary from p.t. anderson and possibly some of the actors. The shooting script was very helpful, but I was hoping for a DVD set more like Boogie Nights. If you are not a total fan, it is defintely worth renting though.
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia blossoms
Review: The plot of this movie is nearly impossible to explain. The whole length of this three hour movie covers only one night and consists of several interweaving vignettes. Tom Cruise shines in this movie as a boisterous chauvinist self-help mogul. It is a compulsively watchable movie, even if the ending is a little inaccessible to the audience. Still, I'd recommend this DVD on the merits of the movie alone. Still, it doesn't hurt that it comes in a 2 Disc package with awesome extras and a few interesting easter eggs (click on the color test bars feature and there's a few takes of interesting scenes). In this case, the DVD is chockful of interesting features, most of which are definately not weak filler and are worthy of your time. This is a must for anyone interested in how films are created, from the concept to the script, to the actual shooting.
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