Fans of P.T. Anderson's last film, 1997's look at life in the late 70's porno industry, Boogie Nights, already know him to be one of the most ambitious and provocative artists today. Magnolia, his new, very original work set during a 24 hour period in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, is what I affectionately refer to as a beautiful mess. Full of biblical references, it features several brilliant, memorable performances; it is complex but at the same time, elegant in its simplicity. This film studies the human experience; how our emotions, actions, and reactions unify us, how random acts connect us, and most importantly how we can never completely escape the past.
Earl Partridge (Jason Robards) a crusty, foul-mouthed TV producer married to a much younger woman named Linda (Julianne Moore), is dying of cancer and is being cared for by a compassionate home-care nurse, Phil Parma (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Earl regrets having deserted his wife and teen-aged son many years ago, and on his death bed expresses a desire to see his son, now an infamous, cocky, self-help guru named Frank T.J. Mackey (Tom Cruise). Frank teaches a seminar for men called "Seduce and Destroy" which offers advice as to how they can sexually dominate and ultimately control women. Phil Parma, who seems to care for the Earl more than his guilt-ridden, unfaithful wife , desperately tries to reach Frank before it is too late.
On the other side of town, a kids quiz show host named Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall) also suffering from terminal cancer visits his coke-addicted, estranged daughter Claudia (Melora Walters) seeking a reconciliation before he dies. Later, a lonely, earnest, big-hearted cop Officer Kurring (John C. Reilly) meets the bitter but vulnerable Claudia while investigating a disturbance and immediately becomes attracted to her. At the same time, we see a child quiz show contestant (Jeremy Blackman) from Jimmy's show preparing in the solitude of his school library surrounded only by books and cared for by a greedy, selfish father. We also meet 'Quiz kid Donnie Smith' (William H. Macy) as he still likes to refer to himself, a middle-aged former contestant on the same show who is bumbling his way through life still mourning his ill-spent childhood and resentful that his parents squandered his winnings
At first glance, it is hard to imagine how all of these characters and experiences can possibly be united to tell one story, but to his credit P.T. Anderson creatively but not always successfully finds a way to illustrate how these lives parallel each other.
The story in which Philip Seymour Hoffman is featured was in my opinion the most interesting and best developed. We are told nothing about Phil Parma's backround but something about his interactions with Earl makes you speculate about what has happened in his past to make him care so much about this not entirely loveable man. Maybe he lost a parent to cancer himself or could it be that he has seen so many die alone and regretful? Whatever his motivation, it becomes obvious that Phil has become a very important member of this very dysfunctional family.
Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance is excellent in this role- touching, sensitive and genuine. Phil plays this nurse with an abundance of of heart and respect, and real-life caretakers of all kinds will be proud of how he represents them. It's a small but important part, and Phil once again makes the most of the material he is given to work with. The little touches are what really impressed me about this performance:how he makes a little 'tch' sound when 'lighting' Earl's cigarette, how his eyes well with tears at just the right moment, how his voice rises just a bit and he blushes during an embarrassing phone call, his expression when an unusual weather pattern passes... I could go on and on. This is hands down my favorite performance by Phil and should gain him many new fans and accolades.
While all of the acting is great, especially Tom Cruise who has what is arguably the meatiest role in the piece and is obviously loving the challenge,the film didn't always work for me. There are so many characters that some get short-changed and a few are so pathetically unsympathetic that its hard to maintain interest in them. That having been said, I would still have to still have to recommend the film. It is unique and very entertaining and will make you think, feel, laugh and maybe even cry.
-- Karen
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