Magnolia (1999)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer (WGA):

Paul Thomas Anderson (written by)

Release Date:

7 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Things fall down. People look up. And when it rains, it pours.

Plot:

An epic mosaic of several interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.

Plot Keywords:

Coincidence | One Day | Whiz Kid | Cancer | Cocaine

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 35 nominations

Cast

Julianne Moore	...	Linda Partridge
William H. Macy	...	Donnie Smith
John C. Reilly	...	Officer Jim Kurring
Tom Cruise	...	Frank T.J. Mackey
Philip Baker Hall	...	Jimmy Gator
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Phil Parma
Jason Robards	...	Earl Partridge
Alfred Molina	...	Solomon Solomon
Melora Walters	...	Claudia Wilson Gator
Michael Bowen	...	Rick Spector
Ricky Jay	...	Burt Ramsey / Narrator
Jeremy Blackman	...	Stanley Spector
Melinda Dillon	...	Rose Gator
April Grace	...	Gwenovier
Luis Guzmán	...	Luis (as Luis Guzman)

Also Known As:

Mag·no'li·a (USA) (promotional title)
mag-no'li-a (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, drug use, sexuality and some violence.

Runtime:

188 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Iceland:12 | Brazil:14 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Angelus Oaks, California, USA

Company:

Ghoulardi Film Company

Trivia:

The phone number that Phil (mis)dials looking for Frank, [phone], is later revealed to be the number to Linda's pharmacy (printed on the prescription bag).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Neil Flynn is credited as Stanley Berry, but in the film, Flynn is seen when the narrator says, "Daniel Hill."

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: In the New York Herald, November 26, year 1911, there is an account of the hanging of three men. They died for the murder of Sir Edmund William Godfrey; Husband, Father, Pharmacist and all around gentle-man resident of: Greenberry Hill, London. He was murdered by three vagrants whose motive was simple robbery...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Nip/Tuck: Gala Gallardo (#4.15)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Whispering

Best film of 1999

Magnolia is a film of epic proportions. A film that is our generation's. It's about real life, real people and real coincidences. These things happen, this is happening as Stanley Spector states. Magnolia is as perfect a film as you will see these days. P.T.'s camera acts as the protagonist, and the ensemble cast is one of the most solid in film history. Told in 24 hours, set up by a remarkable prologue and finished with a beautiful epilogue, Magnolia finds beauty in the darkness of life. In the redemption of the filth life sometimes brings us. It shows us that we are all connected through pain and suffering and sinning and yet, it does not give us this pessimistic view. Certain films cannot be described, they must be viewed and everyone should view this masterpiece!!!