James_Ernesto

After completing this movie, Paul Thomas Anderson gave a pretty daring statement saying that whatever movie he'd be directing in his later career, nothing could surpass 'Magnolia', which he, at the tender age of 29, called 'the best movie' he would ever make. Now, I'm not as daring as him and I won't say Magnolia WILL end up as the best film I ever watched, but so far, I haven't come across a better movie.

'Magnolia' is really my favorite movie by some distance. It's biggest strength is how good it dissects its character. This is especially remarkable when you know there are like 10 main characters. Of course some characters are given a bit less screen time, but as a whole, every character gets his fair share of time and we have enough opportunities to get to know everyone and see what it's like to walk in their shoes. This is why the run time of three hours is entirely justified - not a second of it seems wasted.

There is not much to say about the plot, especially since I don't want to spoiler anyone. It's just a bunch of more or less ordinary people, all carrying their very own emotional baggage, being followed around for one extraordinary day of their lives, all having to make decisions, all experiencing various emotions. You definitely need to like these kinds of movies, which is why Magnolia is so polarizing. I for one absolutely love character studies and I especially love it when it isn't about soldiers, superheroes, astronauts, killing machines or rock stars, but about people who just struggle to lead a happy life, people without superpowers, but with 'ordinary' problems like me and you. I also don't mind it getting a bit emotional. I basically knew I'd love 'Magnolia' just after reading the one-sentence plot summary here on IMDb, but I never knew how much I would be impressed with it.

Needless to say, I love the cast of 'Magnolia'. Tom Cruise gives what I'd call the best performance of his career, Philip Seymour Hofman, although not exactly in a leading role, is always a treat, so is Julianne Moore, and some PTA-regulars like William H. Macy, Luis Guzmán, Philip Baker Hall and the awesome John C. Reilly are present as well.

I was also blown away by the style of the movie, which just switches between the characters. While this may not be a particularly new concept, I see it as a very powerful device in 'Magnolia', partly because there are so many people to focus on, partly because of its long run time.

So, to conclude this overly enthusiastic review, yeah, I dig 'Magnolia' like crazy. If you haven't watch it, just go and see it. There is the potential that you might hate it, but if you do like it, boy, then you'll be crazy about it. Paul Thomas Anderson is hands down my favorite director and Magnolia is hands down my favorite film, not only in his filmography, but also of all movies I have yet seen. A masterpiece.