Magnolia

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)

As an objector of excessive duration, I’m frankly surprised with how much fun I had with this long film without a consistent plot. When I read in the synopsis that it was about “nine stories”, I thought that it’d be very complicated, that I would get lost, that I wouldn’t enjoy it, etc… But those nine stories are quite simple and straightforward and could be described in a couple of lines. The script switches among them without forcing it, consciously, clearly, and without ever confusing or cheating the viewer. It’s one of those films that, despite the not very straightforward plot, doesn’t demand you squeeze your brain for the whole three hours, it demands your empathy. If you manage to relate to the stories of those characters, you’ll love Magnolia. Otherwise, the film has four highlights: the very beginning, a long and incredibly well escalated scene right in the middle, the scene with the song and the final story about a frog. These four moments make it deserving of five stars. 90 % (09.09.2010)

Neun Instrumente, von denen jedes zunächst seine eigene Melodie spielt. Neun Strahlen konvergieren... Und die Kamera, die scheinbar ziellos durch die Geschichten der verschiedenen Menschen wandert, hier zuhört und dort hinschaut... Und plötzlich fügen sich die Trümmer von Melodien und Lichtern zusammen, Schicksale verbinden sich, verflechten sich, Geschichten nehmen Gestalt an. Schuld, Strafe, Vergebung an der Schwelle zum Tod. Es ist erstaunlich, mit welcher Sensibilität Anderson es geschafft hat, die neun großen Katharsen des Lebens einzufangen, wie er es geschafft hat, Magnolia von der unzüchtigen und flüchtigen Kakophonie des Anfangs bis zu der Wendung aufzubauen, wenn alle Figuren zusammenkommen und "Wise Up“ singen. Drei Stunden einer außerordentlich persönlichen und seltsamen Geschichte, die schon im Prolog ihr Prinzip demonstriert - manche Dinge sind einfach kein Zufall. Die Bedeutung von Magnolia besteht nicht nur in der passiven Beobachtung; durch die ständigen Anspielungen wird der Betrachter dazu angeregt, nach einer Bedeutung zu suchen, die gut versteckt ist (siehe z. B. den Froschregen). Erstaunliche schauspielerische Leistungen wirken wie ein Magnet, dessen Höhepunkt für mich der unfassbar starke Cruise als Jack alias Frank ist. Ich hätte nicht geglaubt, dass er so gefühlvoll spielen kann. Außerdem war die tschechische Synchronisation hervorragend... Der einzige Makel des Films ist, dass er sich zu sehr in die Länge zieht und durch taube Stellen beeinträchtigt wird. Doch inmitten der Flut von unglaublichem Blödsinn ist es wie ein Froschregen. Es passiert einfach! (13.02.2004)

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. (21.01.2005)

If I were to review Magnolia objectively, I wouldn't be able to give it any lower rating than the highest one. Fortunately, I can evaluate it purely based on my own opinion, and despite Anderson's flawless direction, I couldn't help but feel that three hours is too long and somewhat unnecessary. Of course, all the storylines are interconnected, and individual characters couldn't be removed, but the whole competition, the host, and the genius young man around it all felt terribly boring to me, and I was looking forward to when the story would switch to someone else, which unfortunately applies to former contestant Macy as well. On the other hand, Cruise, Hoffman, and Reilly are amazing, and whenever any of them had the opportunity to showcase their acting skills, I was consistently moved. (16.09.2006)

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. (16.02.2005)

Coincidences really do happen every day, and their beauty or evil lies not in how they happen, but how they affect future events. This is exactly what Magnolia achieves, an overwhelming victory of content over form, supported by absolutely brilliant direction and gorgeous performances. For example, what Tom Cruise does here definitely moves him for me from the box of unlikeable stars to the absolute acting elite. Anderson is a filmmaker who has all my sympathies and this magnificent film, despite its length, presents an overwhelming mosaic of human nature, love and hate that completely engulfed me from the first frames and held me tightly until the closing credits. The plot flows incredibly smoothly and you don't even feel like you’re sitting at home in front of the screen, but rather like you’re walking along with all the characters right in the centre of the action. And the moment frogs started falling from the sky, I realized that I was watching one of the most brilliant and thought-provoking films in the history of cinema, which, on the contrary, don't fall from the sky very often. I wish I could make a film like this some day. 100% (01.02.2013)

A long film, which relies on excellent acting performances, almost without exception. Nevertheless, I couldn't get into the film and don't see anything that would be so great about it. Maybe someday, on a second try, but I doubt it. Paul Thomas Anderson is not one of the directors I seek out. However, his talent cannot be denied. (02.04.2016)

Well that was awesome. To make a three-hour running time where I’m not bored for a moment (and I really wasn't bored for a moment) either takes two directors or P.T. Anderson :)))) A perfect cast (my favorite was Julianne Moore :)), a dense and ingenious script supported by confident direction + a strangely "schematic" soundtrack will keep you hooked and won't let go :))) As a whole, Magnolia works really well and is an irrefutable proof of Paul Thomas Anderson's creative genius. 100% (06.02.2010)