Review of Magnolia (1999) by Bill M — 07 Feb 2016

Huge, operatic, magnificently ambitious and emotionally exhausting, Magnolia is one of the greatest films of the last 30 years, possibly ever in fact. An incredible ensemble cast give across the board astonishingly powerful, complex performances, it's indeed hard to single out a single one, but Tom Cruise deserves mention, he gives a performance to silence all his haters as Frank Mackey, delivering a role of Nicholson esc manic intensity that makes you wish the actor would play out side his sandbox more often, he's truly amazing.

This is a profound exploration of the real possibilities of cinema, an experiment in pushing the boundaries of movie storytelling and narrative, ans a beautiful look at the flaws and beauty of people and the ties that bind us all culminating in a final sequence of stunningly mad audacity that will prove too much for some to get past.

A true masterpiece that will leave you feeling elated, and emotionally knackered.