Magnolia

1999 Drama

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), a successful producer of television game shows, left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (Julianne Moore). Now, Earl has cancer himself, and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband, whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son, Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise), known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy," in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her, and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants, Stanley (Jeremy Blackman), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (Michael Bowen), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile, Donnie Smith (William H. Macy), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child, is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (Melora Walters), who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion. more..

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Melinda Dillon,Philip Seymour Hoffman

Reviews

  • The kind of film I instinctively respond to. Leave logic at the door. Do not expect subdued taste and restraint, but instead a kind of operatic ecstasy.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

  • The kind of brilliantly weirdo picture that, by all rights, shouldn't have gotten made at all but this time, miraculously, was.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • One of the best movies of the year--startling, innovative, hugely funny and powerfully, courageously moving.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    26 April 2013

  • The most imperfect of the year's best movies, Magnolia's flaws are easily forgiven because they are the result of go-for-broke ambition.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    26 April 2013

  • Anderson's big, showy flower of a movie unfurls brilliantly, each plot petal a thing of exquisite design. Then it ripens. Then it disintegrates, leaving a mess of color and a faint whiff of rot.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role

    Academy Awards (2000)

     
  • Paul Thomas Anderson

    Berlin International Film Festival (2000)

  • Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama

    Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000)

  • Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film)

    Bodil Awards (2001)

     
  • Best Picture

    Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2000)