Review of Magnolia (1999) by Abdulmalik A — 22 Mar 2013

With its strange narration and random historical occurrences in the beginning of the film, following then with an introduction of 6,7, or 8 different characters, one may wonder how this movie is going to make any sense and come together.

But Magnolia ultimately develops into a story of heartbreak. Heartbreak from the hands of BAD PARENTING. "Subtle abuse", sexual abuse, physical abuse, adultery, and father just plain not being there.

All of these wounded characters wound up revealing the reasons for their pain in the end. What marked their revelations was the sudden froggy rainfall. In biblical times, God warned the people of Egypt with a downpour of amphibians.

I think it symbolized some sort of a wake up call in this movie as well for our characters. All of these twisted, torn lives were spared because of what this miraculous storm did. It affected some directly and some indirectly.

There were two troubled "game show kids", one being the troubled "know it all" with the loveless, neglectful father, and William H. Macy being what that child will ultimately become.

His neglect and betrayal from his parents destroyed his confidence and caused him to suffer for many years with his sexuality. During his drunken monologue at the bar, he mentioned to the older gay gentlemen that "No, it is not dangerous to confuse children with angels".

This seemed to be another running theme in the movie. I personified some characters with angels and some characters with children. And after a Google search, I found that pink Magnolia flowers represent innocence and youth added with joy.

Well the joy must have come after our characters were able to come to grips with their misgivings and verbalize their mistakes. The joy came after the people survived their near death experiences. The joy came after this miraculous storm from God changed everyone's lives.

John C. Reilly seemed to become Claudia's angel, as she struggled with her addictions stemming from her sexual abuse from her father, (and neglect from her alcoholic mother for not knowing or doing anything about the perpetrator living in her own house).

As an adult, Claudia was stuck in a child like phase, clinging to mommy in the storm, acting and behaving recklessly like a heartbroken teenager. You would think a straight-edge cop with a gun and a loyalty to the law would not mix well with a poor, crazy white hoe with a cocaine problem.

But the Magnolia flower blooms for them both in the end. And Tom Cruise, the seducer and destroyer of women. In his father's final moment, we saw him shaking, clenching his fists, tears strolling down his cheeks as he cursed his father.

At that moment, he is finally breaking free from the emotional and psychological bondage that he had suffered under since a 14 year old boy. He was able to get all of his rage out and be there with his father during his final breaths.

This experience would have never happened if it weren't for the hospice worker, (seymour hoffman), with his empathy for the dying man's wishes and his determination to track down his lost son.

His experience through this storm seemed to make him a part of the family. I love a movie with a big cast like this, especially one that garnishes career defining and memorable performances, (Gacy, Cruise, Reilly, Melinda Dillon, and the bitchy Julianne Moore).

3 hours + is a long time to sit and watch a film nowadays. There are few movies that are so captivating that 3 hours pass by and you don't even realize it. When all of the characters broke into song 2 hours and 45 minutes into the film I couldn't help but shout obscenities into the air.

There probably was a point to that song and everybody singing those depressing lyrics while they loathed in their own misery, but I didn't care enough to find out why or think about it for more than a minute.

Also, I am not a fan of most child actors. I have to say that this movie had some of the worst, most irritating children actors. The little black kid was cute, and important to the story with his innocent little heart and his gangsta ways, but he can't rap! the lyrics were deep, much deeper than anyone his age could have ever crafted, but then again, that was another recurring theme in the movie, children with gifts.

Intelligent, amazing children with big hearts but little love from the outside. The love and attention they did get was superficial and didn't last long. Putting all of the factors that I disliked about this movie on a scale and weighing them against all of the things I absolutely loved, this movie tips in the favor of love over hate.

I consider this a well written, directed, and acted movie, (other than those godforsaken kids). The infamous raining frog scene is unforgettable and important for movies of this measure. Those WTF! moments are the ones that keep you talking and thinking about the film and ultimately coming back to it.

4/5.