Review of Magnolia (1999) by Daniel R — 26 Sep 2011

Boogie Nights is brilliant, partly because nobody expected it to be so rich with character, given its subject matter. There Will Be Blood is also very good, although a little overrated. Both of these showcase very well Paul Thomas Anderson's talent as a film maker. Neither of them are however in the same league as the quite masterful Magnolia.

The characters are well drawn and superbly acted. William H Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and (surprisingly) Tom Cruise are all particularly good. The many characters, who are directly or inderctly connected to one another, seem all to have their demons. All are in some way deficient or perhaps not totally honest with themselves about who they are or what they need.

This isn't a short film, but every single minute is simply delicious.