Magnolia

First and foremost, this film is not as complicated and difficult as it may seem at first glance. But it does have something to it and definitely does not lack originality, inventiveness, many unforgettable scenes and situations, and, last but not least, great performances by almost all of the main actors. (15/02/2005)

A breathtaking three-hour film full of perfect performances, lovely music and stories from everyone's life. The plot interweaves the individual fates of the main characters, which collide in the end. Tom Cruise gives the performance of his life, Julianne Moore is simply a great actress and William H. Macy and John C. Reilly caught my attention as well. There are a number of life dramas played out throughout the film that may be familiar to some of us, or even our own. Illness, drugs, depression, complicated family relationships and more! In short, I have to say that Paul Thomas Anderson has done a truly excellent job and Magnolia is one of those films that managed to mentally blow me away and tear me apart. (10/07/2011)

Anderson has confirmed his reputation as the most talented director of the young generation and, as with Boogie Nights, has made a three-hour spectacle that flows by like water. The seemingly disparate patchwork of different human destinies would have crumbled under the hands of another director, but under Anderson's baton it feels extremely cohesive and the viewer doesn't feel lost in the plot. Plus, Anderson managed to make Cruise look a proper actor, which is remarkable. Cruise's portrayal of the successful hyper-macho is magnificent and rightfully awarded an Oscar nomination. The cathartic ending is unforgettable. Long live the frogs. (13/04/2003)

Eight seemingly unconnected main storylines and a couple more subordinate storylines that cut through them all? Three hours long? With Tom Cruise actually acting? Impossible to rein in from the director’s chair? Evidently you haven’t seen Magnolia yet. It has its flies in the ointment, but overall it is very powerful and supported here and there with a scene that gives the impression “as if frogs were falling from the skies". The atmosphere is as engrossing as it is unusual. I thought up a working title for it: Magnolioid. (20/01/2005)

It's a long film that stands on the performances, which are basically without exception excellent. Still, I couldn't get into the film and I don't see anything in it that was all that great. Maybe someday, upon a second watch, but I doubt it. Paul Thomas Anderson is not a director I would seek out. His talent can't be diminished, though. (02/04/2016)