On a rainy day in California, the lives of an unusual cast of characters are wound together through chance and divine intervention. In parallel storylines, two men estranged from their children and about to die reach out in their final moments.
Tom Cruise (Frank), Philip Hall (Jimmy), William H. Macy (Donnie), Philip Hoffman (Phil), Jason Robards (Earl), Julianne Moore (Linda), John C. Reilly (Jim), Thomas Jane (Young Jimmy), Benjamin Niedens (Young Donnie).
Magnolia is a quirky and unusual story of two men both estranged from their children and about to die. The film presents their histories, showing how their lives and the lives of those around them are intertwined, leading to their reaching out in their final moments. This reveals more connections and eventually a strange weather related ending that almost feels overly graphic in relation to the rest of the film.
Acting was incredibly solid with most of the experienced cast delivering quite well. Cruise fit his role perfectly and executed very well. Reilly also delivered a solid emotional, yet quirky, performance. Hall was well cast, as was Hoffman and Robards who all did nicely. Moore, Jane, and the remainder of the supporting cast were very enjoyable.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and a solid feel. Effects were good but mild and fitting for the film. Editing was very well done and made sense of this nonsense story. Dialogue included a lot of drama, but also a few laughs. Sound and soundtrack are good.
Overall Magnolia is an unusual, but very interesting film. While the storyline may feel a bit confusing, quality acting and technical work do a lot to keep audience interest. This will definitely be a mix with some loving it and others hating it. If you enjoy something different, give Magnolia a shot.
With some sexuality, brief nudity, violence, gore, and a ton of foul language including objectification, save this one for the oldest teens and above.
Released: 1999
Reviewed: 1.27.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Indie Drama, Quirky
copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel
Tom Cruise (Frank), Philip Hall (Jimmy), William H. Macy (Donnie), Philip Hoffman (Phil), Jason Robards (Earl), Julianne Moore (Linda), John C. Reilly (Jim), Thomas Jane (Young Jimmy), Benjamin Niedens (Young Donnie).
Magnolia is a quirky and unusual story of two men both estranged from their children and about to die. The film presents their histories, showing how their lives and the lives of those around them are intertwined, leading to their reaching out in their final moments. This reveals more connections and eventually a strange weather related ending that almost feels overly graphic in relation to the rest of the film.
Acting was incredibly solid with most of the experienced cast delivering quite well. Cruise fit his role perfectly and executed very well. Reilly also delivered a solid emotional, yet quirky, performance. Hall was well cast, as was Hoffman and Robards who all did nicely. Moore, Jane, and the remainder of the supporting cast were very enjoyable.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and a solid feel. Effects were good but mild and fitting for the film. Editing was very well done and made sense of this nonsense story. Dialogue included a lot of drama, but also a few laughs. Sound and soundtrack are good.
Overall Magnolia is an unusual, but very interesting film. While the storyline may feel a bit confusing, quality acting and technical work do a lot to keep audience interest. This will definitely be a mix with some loving it and others hating it. If you enjoy something different, give Magnolia a shot.
With some sexuality, brief nudity, violence, gore, and a ton of foul language including objectification, save this one for the oldest teens and above.
Released: 1999
Reviewed: 1.27.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Indie Drama, Quirky
copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel
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