"Magnolia" (1999) - Movie Classics

If you are a cinematic connoisseur and post cine analysis geek, “Magnolia” would be the right choice for you. The film has a major star cast, including Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore and William H. Macy, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

“Magnolia” is a movie with 6 stories running parallel in a day. As expected, all the stories have some commonality. It is not the normal climax where all the stories converge, but something different and thoughtful. Throughout the movie, the pace is consistent. More of realism and high cinematic class is evident in each and every frame of the movie.

Since there are 6 stories, the movie runs for more than 3 hours which may raise eye brows for the normal Hollywood Masala Movie seekers, but believe me it’s worth it. The movie takes itself the viewers in and they will be eagerly waiting where it all will summate. The climax will initially disappoint most of the people but I would suggest the viewer to research on the ending and you will realize the blend of realistic and cinematic elegance and excellence.

“Magnolia” is an emotional drama which talks about lot of issues running in the society and with individuals. Be it domestic disturbance or adultery, it deals everything with sheer brutalism and hits you in the head. The quiz whiz kid whose emotions are shattered and unrecognized, the wife who seeks redemption for her adultery, a daughter puzzled with her distorted past, every character addresses a different set of situations still correlating and criticizing itself to the basic conscience and values.

I would say Tom Cruise’s best performance throughout his career will not be matched to the eclectic display of acting in this movie. Julianne Moore is as good as Tom. There are lot other performances which will remain in your heart but how could I not tell the character of the police officer. One of the most principle oriented and shy characters that will be placed in your heart forever.

Editing needs to appreciated in a great deal for its technical excellence. Handling 6 stories and collaging it in a beautiful and elegant way would not have been a cake walk. All the technical aspects of the movie stands apart, take it the music or the dialogues, Magnolia rips of the society's ill fated discrepancies towards everyone's life.

Of all, “Magnolia” will be an entertainer, practical and provide you redemption, if you have the patience to research about it to enlighten yourself.