Magnolia
Already being called an "instant classic" by those lucky enough to have seen
a sneak preview, P. T. Anderson's Magnolia is one of the most anticipated movies
of the holiday season. After his tour de force Boogie Nights it's not
difficult to imagine why. But maybe it has something to do with the Robert Altman-esque
type trailer that recently hit theaters or the vague descriptions that have
been leaked to the masses. But from what know we think it goes something like
this: the movie takes place in one day in the San Fernando Valley and it's an
ensemble piece which loosely revolves around the core relationships of an ailing
father (Jason Robards), his young wife (Julianne Moore), and his "lost" son
(Tom Cruise). The cast also includes some of P. T.'s old favorites like John
C. Reilly and Philip Seymour Hoffman. (Synopsis by Moviefone.)
Starring William H. Macy, Julianne Moore, Jason Robards and Tom Cruise
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Rated R Running time: 188 min.
Reviews
Cranky Critic
"We said it in our review of Hard 8, Anderson spreads himself too thin (and that flick only had four characters!). He managed the feat in Boogie Nights but it's back to square one with this effort. Even in the comfy chairs, my legs were throbbing and my brain was close to flatlining. "Bob Strauss, Daily News Los Angeles
"Magnolia is the only true end-of-the-millennium masterpiece, an achievement that will be hard to match for many years to come -- and whose influence should rightly be felt well into the next century."Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
"If you've got the time and a cast iron butt, you should definitely take this in."Graham Verdon, TNT ROUGH CUT
"The kaleidoscope of intermingling stories, a gimmick that has become a welcome convention of modern storytelling, goes too far in Anderson's hands..."Janet Maslin, New York Times
"... Magnolia begins to self-destruct spectacularly. It's astonishing to see a film begin this brilliantly only to torpedo itself in its final hour."
The Official Site
Photos, sounds, trailer clips, and more.Boogie Nights
Paul Anderson's first film attracted worldwide attention for its sensitive portrayal of porn stars.Cigarettes & Coffee
"The definitive P.T. Anderson resource."A Valley Boy Who Found a Home...
By director Paul Anderson, from the New York Times.Interview with director Paul Anderson
About the making of Magnolia and more.Oscar Buzz for Cruise
Mr. Showbiz wonders.
