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I realised that one of my favourite films was not listed in the DVD section of the special reserve website, so I decided to write about it here. If you've seen it, what are your thoughts on the film?
For me it is a wonderfully moving and powerful movie, which I believe to be highly underrated. We are taken on a journey to explore one day in the lives of nine deeply troubled individuals that weave through each other’s lives. The actors portray their characters with such conviction and compassion you understand their character’s pain and suffering and your hearts go out to them all.
The direction is also superb and he chooses to start the film by showing three unbelievable events that have happened in the past because the film relies on coincidence to a large extent. It is highly coincidental that the characters are all linked to each other in some way and that they come together, and this would be seen by critiques as a weakness in the plot. But the director adds these highly coincidental events to the story to remind anyone that they cannot criticize the film for relying on coincidence because the most unlikely things are possible, as proven in these events. Their lives could not weave through each other so seamlessly otherwise, which is the beauty of the film, and when compared to these other true and unbelievable coincidences it does not seem too unlikely anyway.
The film cuts between all the characters in the film, which shows that they are unknowingly united with each other and share each other’s feelings. This is a highly optimistic point of the film and is summed up perfectly in a very memorable scene in the movie when it actually steps out of reality. It cuts between each character, alone on the screen, as they sing along to the same song one after another. This very surreal part of the movie has been criticized but you must look beyond this and recognize the meaning behind it. The characters are unified in their loneliness and depression although they do not know this. This is a highly optimistic point in a rather melancholic film because it is saying that you are never alone no matter how you feel because you are united with others who feel the same way even when you do not realise. This point is highlighted beautifully in this scene and is one of the most memorable moments in the film and I feel one that is highly underrated as well.
Another of one of my favourites is the restaurant scene, which is very unconventional when compared to other movies. The scene itself is neither idealised nor glorified in anyway by romantic music or poetic dialogue. The couple are infact quite inarticulate and this makes the scene so captivating because it is very genuine and shows us a different side to life on movies.
The film seems much more genuine than any other film I have seen because it is much more down to earth. It is an honest depiction of life, unlike many other Hollywood films that are misleading because they show us a world that is far away from the truth and more like a fantasy. It is as if they do not want to face up to the truth.
Life itself is subtle, not blatant. Films that are obvious are sometimes just patronizing the audience and treating them with little respect. They are saying that that they cannot or do not want to think for themselves and that they need others to think for them. They do not give the audience the power to think, which is what distinguishes us from anything else in the world and what makes us human, but most of all individuals.
Magnolia is a very subtle film. You never find out what does happen to everyone, and the director does not tie the story up, which is what many films tend to do. There is no ending to the story, because the story is their lives and their lives are not over. We feel we do not have the right to explore their personal and private lives anymore, but we are at least satisfied that some are happy and we feel that we were part of this because we went through it with them. We can imagine what will become of them but we will never find out what does. Magnolia for me is a truly genuine, powerful and thought provoking film, which deserves a lot more credit than what has been given.
What do you think?
For me it is a wonderfully moving and powerful movie, which I believe to be highly underrated. We are taken on a journey to explore one day in the lives of nine deeply troubled individuals that weave through each other’s lives. The actors portray their characters with such conviction and compassion you understand their character’s pain and suffering and your hearts go out to them all.
The direction is also superb and he chooses to start the film by showing three unbelievable events that have happened in the past because the film relies on coincidence to a large extent. It is highly coincidental that the characters are all linked to each other in some way and that they come together, and this would be seen by critiques as a weakness in the plot. But the director adds these highly coincidental events to the story to remind anyone that they cannot criticize the film for relying on coincidence because the most unlikely things are possible, as proven in these events. Their lives could not weave through each other so seamlessly otherwise, which is the beauty of the film, and when compared to these other true and unbelievable coincidences it does not seem too unlikely anyway.
The film cuts between all the characters in the film, which shows that they are unknowingly united with each other and share each other’s feelings. This is a highly optimistic point of the film and is summed up perfectly in a very memorable scene in the movie when it actually steps out of reality. It cuts between each character, alone on the screen, as they sing along to the same song one after another. This very surreal part of the movie has been criticized but you must look beyond this and recognize the meaning behind it. The characters are unified in their loneliness and depression although they do not know this. This is a highly optimistic point in a rather melancholic film because it is saying that you are never alone no matter how you feel because you are united with others who feel the same way even when you do not realise. This point is highlighted beautifully in this scene and is one of the most memorable moments in the film and I feel one that is highly underrated as well.
Another of one of my favourites is the restaurant scene, which is very unconventional when compared to other movies. The scene itself is neither idealised nor glorified in anyway by romantic music or poetic dialogue. The couple are infact quite inarticulate and this makes the scene so captivating because it is very genuine and shows us a different side to life on movies.
The film seems much more genuine than any other film I have seen because it is much more down to earth. It is an honest depiction of life, unlike many other Hollywood films that are misleading because they show us a world that is far away from the truth and more like a fantasy. It is as if they do not want to face up to the truth.
Life itself is subtle, not blatant. Films that are obvious are sometimes just patronizing the audience and treating them with little respect. They are saying that that they cannot or do not want to think for themselves and that they need others to think for them. They do not give the audience the power to think, which is what distinguishes us from anything else in the world and what makes us human, but most of all individuals.
Magnolia is a very subtle film. You never find out what does happen to everyone, and the director does not tie the story up, which is what many films tend to do. There is no ending to the story, because the story is their lives and their lives are not over. We feel we do not have the right to explore their personal and private lives anymore, but we are at least satisfied that some are happy and we feel that we were part of this because we went through it with them. We can imagine what will become of them but we will never find out what does. Magnolia for me is a truly genuine, powerful and thought provoking film, which deserves a lot more credit than what has been given.
What do you think?
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I watched Magnolia last night.
I was really impressed. The first hour and a half was excellent. Absolutely brilliant. There was not one minute during that time where I was even remotely bored. The music carried it along at a fair old pace, just keeping the tension in most areas although not making it particularly tense either. I can't explain... :-D
After the first hour and a half though, it hit a point and stayed on it for a while. This was the first time when I was bored. It did pick up a few times but it wasn't quite as good as the fist half of the film.
Still, it was all really funny and the characters were all likeable. The acting was very good from everybody in every scene (with the exception of one which you'll pick up on when you see it). In particular, I thought Tom Cruise and the dying guy's nurse were the best. The cop (Murph from Perfect Storm) also gave a really good performance though and then there was even a small role in there for the one...the only....Luiz Guzman!
I think the soundtrack would be really good for that film. The music all the way through was excellent and the actual songs were good too. The music video on the second disc I thought was really good. I like that sort of video where the singer is among the actors on different sets from the film. Really, really good.
Some of the outtakes on the second disc are hilarious too. The one with Tom Cruise especially. He bursts out laughing and then gets straight back inot character and tries again. It's the one line that sets him off again though - "Pooky's sick".
Overall, the film was brilliant. The more I think of it, the better it is and some of the extras are great too. I'll need to watch it again soon, to pick up on some of the things that baffled me the first time.
I can't believe it's only a tenner for a double disc, brilliant film. It is definitely worth it and I'd recommend it to anybody.
It didn't do much for you Gaz? Go back to Dogma where you belong. You make me sick. :-D
I was really impressed. The first hour and a half was excellent. Absolutely brilliant. There was not one minute during that time where I was even remotely bored. The music carried it along at a fair old pace, just keeping the tension in most areas although not making it particularly tense either. I can't explain... :-D
After the first hour and a half though, it hit a point and stayed on it for a while. This was the first time when I was bored. It did pick up a few times but it wasn't quite as good as the fist half of the film.
Still, it was all really funny and the characters were all likeable. The acting was very good from everybody in every scene (with the exception of one which you'll pick up on when you see it). In particular, I thought Tom Cruise and the dying guy's nurse were the best. The cop (Murph from Perfect Storm) also gave a really good performance though and then there was even a small role in there for the one...the only....Luiz Guzman!
I think the soundtrack would be really good for that film. The music all the way through was excellent and the actual songs were good too. The music video on the second disc I thought was really good. I like that sort of video where the singer is among the actors on different sets from the film. Really, really good.
Some of the outtakes on the second disc are hilarious too. The one with Tom Cruise especially. He bursts out laughing and then gets straight back inot character and tries again. It's the one line that sets him off again though - "Pooky's sick".
Overall, the film was brilliant. The more I think of it, the better it is and some of the extras are great too. I'll need to watch it again soon, to pick up on some of the things that baffled me the first time.
I can't believe it's only a tenner for a double disc, brilliant film. It is definitely worth it and I'd recommend it to anybody.
It didn't do much for you Gaz? Go back to Dogma where you belong. You make me sick. :-D
And SpyGame is out today. Not round here though. Cinemas have still got Harry Potter on. *sigh*
Got to admit, Magnolia didn't do much for me. 7 days till Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. :-)
Magnolia is a top film - I'd rate it as PT's worst, though that's more to do with the fact that the other two are so bloody great.
Everyone will have seen Boogie Nights (one of the films of the 90's IMO) - but what about Sydney/Hard Eight? Amazingly good cast (as is the PT Anderson tradmark), even Mrs Paltrow is great.
Interesed in the rummors of a Boogie Nights follow up, with all the main characters back (wonder how Macy will take up his usual slot in the PT Anderson Troup with his character in the original being killed) but with Roller Girl being the centre of attention rather than Dirk.
Everyone will have seen Boogie Nights (one of the films of the 90's IMO) - but what about Sydney/Hard Eight? Amazingly good cast (as is the PT Anderson tradmark), even Mrs Paltrow is great.
Interesed in the rummors of a Boogie Nights follow up, with all the main characters back (wonder how Macy will take up his usual slot in the PT Anderson Troup with his character in the original being killed) but with Roller Girl being the centre of attention rather than Dirk.
There are so many things going on with this film it's hard to get them all at one or two viewings.
I felt really bad for Donnie, especially in the bar. "It's not wrong to confuse angels with children..it's not!" and the utter,utter dismay he feels.
Jim the Cop sitting with Claudia at the end, wiping her tears away and her nervous, embarassed smile the film ends on. A sign of new beginnings and forgiveness?
What an amazing, tremendous film.
Shame everyone went to watch Titanic instead.
I felt really bad for Donnie, especially in the bar. "It's not wrong to confuse angels with children..it's not!" and the utter,utter dismay he feels.
Jim the Cop sitting with Claudia at the end, wiping her tears away and her nervous, embarassed smile the film ends on. A sign of new beginnings and forgiveness?
What an amazing, tremendous film.
Shame everyone went to watch Titanic instead.
It's in the bar scene where Donnie's getting worked up over brad and his failure to do anything significant since being a quiz kid. I think it's the question that he failed to answer, but I'm not sure.. if it is then I think it represents the question that each character fails to address. None of them identify themselves with other people. Tom Cruise cannot love his father and will not admit that he is the same as him; Jim's relationship cannot work out because the drug-addicted woman he loves (can't remember names I haven't watched the film for ages) knows that he is far too moral for her and he probably realises that she is not his "type". But after the frogs come down they all realise.. Tom Cruise cries, And Jim the Cop forgives Donnie instead of arresting him, which he normally might have done. Those are the only examples I can think of off hand, but I'm sure if I watched it again i could back this up more substantially.
I'd never picked up on that!
Cheers dude, I'll watch this again tonight.
Cheers dude, I'll watch this again tonight.
I think the main line in the film is when Quiz kid donnie says the answer to the graphite/diamond question: they are both made from carbon. The film's point is that everyone is made from the same thing and we all suffer the same emotional problems no matter what background we have.
Mouldy Cheese wrote:
It's main downfall was the ending,
> as you're expecting a big climax where all the characters come together.
And that, for me, is why Magnolia stands head and shoulders above a lot of other films.
It was about life, the coincidences and chances.
And life doesn't end with all the characters coming together and resolving everything - most of the time you think "er...that's it?" in situations.
I loved these people, the cop wishing to meet someone special, the sex-guru dealing with abandonment issues, the nurse watching his ward die in front of him.
Just a film that resonated with me on so many different levels and left me drained and in tears at the end.
So many lonely, desperate people just trying to connect and make sense of everything, even if for a second.
The two that I felt so pained for were "Quiz Kid Donnie Smith" in love with the barman and unable to tell him and Jim Kurning, the decent and true cop.
Both men are adrift in something they can't articulate or understand.
Both are decent people that just want to chance to be with someone that would mean something to them.
As Donnie Smith sobs "I have a lot of love,I just dont know where to put it"
Fantastic, emotional,moving film with an ending that whilst unexpected, makes sense if you follow the "This happens" idea of the the film.
The DVD 2 disc set is well worth getting.
It's main downfall was the ending,
> as you're expecting a big climax where all the characters come together.
And that, for me, is why Magnolia stands head and shoulders above a lot of other films.
It was about life, the coincidences and chances.
And life doesn't end with all the characters coming together and resolving everything - most of the time you think "er...that's it?" in situations.
I loved these people, the cop wishing to meet someone special, the sex-guru dealing with abandonment issues, the nurse watching his ward die in front of him.
Just a film that resonated with me on so many different levels and left me drained and in tears at the end.
So many lonely, desperate people just trying to connect and make sense of everything, even if for a second.
The two that I felt so pained for were "Quiz Kid Donnie Smith" in love with the barman and unable to tell him and Jim Kurning, the decent and true cop.
Both men are adrift in something they can't articulate or understand.
Both are decent people that just want to chance to be with someone that would mean something to them.
As Donnie Smith sobs "I have a lot of love,I just dont know where to put it"
Fantastic, emotional,moving film with an ending that whilst unexpected, makes sense if you follow the "This happens" idea of the the film.
The DVD 2 disc set is well worth getting.
Mouldy Cheese wrote:
> It was a reasonable film - nothing great.
It's main downfall was the ending,
> as you're expecting a big climax where all the characters come together.
No no no no no..... Magnolia is a great great film. The ending makes perfect sense.
Part of the cinematic renaissance according to my english teacher.
It was on the SR database but seems to have been removed, it even got a good review by the staff. I love every single thing about this film but I now reckon it's like marmite, you either love it or hate it; there's no in between view.
> It was a reasonable film - nothing great.
It's main downfall was the ending,
> as you're expecting a big climax where all the characters come together.
No no no no no..... Magnolia is a great great film. The ending makes perfect sense.
Part of the cinematic renaissance according to my english teacher.
It was on the SR database but seems to have been removed, it even got a good review by the staff. I love every single thing about this film but I now reckon it's like marmite, you either love it or hate it; there's no in between view.
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