Day 80 Magnolia [1999]
Screenplay Paul Thomas Anderson
Director Paul
Thomas Anderson
Cinematography Robert
Elswit
Music Jon
Brion
Leads Jeremy Blackman, Tom
Cruise, Melinda Dillon, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ricky Jay,
William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Jason Robards,
Melora Walters
Production Ghoulardi Film Company,
JoAnne Sellar Productions
IMDb 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes 83%
Unbelievably, none of PTA’s films have yet
featured on this blog, so I settled in to watch one of his greatest triumphs – Magnolia
– just so I could write about it. PTA is a heavyweight in Hollywood, no
question. Boogie Nights is possibly in my top five. This film is
beautifully crafted. It follows three seemingly separate storylines, that all
slowly interconnect into a maelstrom finale. The character building is
fantastic, Philip Baker Hall, Tom Cruise and Melora Walters especially for me.
Each character is so different, yet so perfect within their role. Baker Hall an
ill, retiring game show host and father to Walters who he molested when she was
younger. Cruise an electric motivational speaker who gives men the power to sleep
with any woman they want. You can’t turn your eyes away; each scene draws you
in. Often because of Elswit’s tracking shots, such as the one backstage at the
game show, one continuous, glorious shot. It’s PTA’s use of these disarming
shots, twinned with mastery of musical timing, that make his films so
watchable. This film is about a bunch of losers, mistreated as children and now
suffering the consequences. We shouldn’t like any of the characters really, but
we watch them regardless. I just wish my reviewing skills get better, so I can
do a PTA film justice next time. Bear with me though – it’s only been 80 days.
Acting 4
/ 4
Writing 4
/ 4
Cinematography 3.5
/ 4
Music 3
/ 4
HWF
rating 3.5 / 4