“Magnolia” (1999) – Clark Gregg’s Meaningful Masterpiece About Loss

Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: John C. Reilly, Julianne Moore and Tom Cruise

‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’

Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as John C. Reilly. Ever since his rise towards recognition in the 1990’s, Reilly has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s Broadway performers, pornographic actors or gangsters, Reilly has played many compelling characters. Arguably, Reilly’s greatest strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can make great films in practically every genre. Reilly has had a strong commitment towards entertainment. He has always poured his heart and soul into every single role. Although he is often thought of as a comedic actor, Reilly has proven time and again that he can thrive in dramatic films as well. An American icon, Reilly has become a beloved icon whose timeless movies audiences cherish. Through his abilities to create strong heroes which are fascinating, Reilly has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Reilly has made many movies that are worth watching.

I’m a huge fan of Reilly and adore all the films which he has produced in his career. However, “Magnolia” is my favourite. Since its release in 1999, Paul Thomas Anderson’s film has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about loss. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance from John C. Reilly, who portrays a police officer in search of redemption. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about loss that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about loss, there are countless strong reasons why “Magnolia” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.

Amid the San Fernando Valley, “Magnolia” tells the intertwining stories of several people which are affected by trauma. John C. Reilly portrays Officer Jim Kurring, a strong police officer that has powerful ideas about justice. Kurring has always had an aptitude for resolving crimes in his city. However, on one random day Kurring’s hopes of becoming a successful police officer are destroyed by coincidence stacked against his favour. Kurring’s life crosses paths with an ex-boy genius, a dying father, male caretaker, estranged daughter, and young wife. Facing a dilemma, Kurring questions whether it’s truly possible for him to solve crimes in a city that faces trauma. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Kurring wonders whether it’s truly possible for him to become a successful police officer. Impacted by big coincidence, Kurring questions whether he can truly recover from a traumatic experience.

Paul Thomas Anderson is fascinated with the themes of loss. A strong American filmmaker, Anderson has often made movies about lives of individuals impacted by grief. His award-winning movie “Boogie Nights” captured the dark sides of the adult film industry in which actors endure catastrophe. With “Magnolia”, however, he created his first operatic drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of individuals impacted by loss in a small town but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Anderson captures lives of individuals that are affected by loss. Anderson has had an aptitude for using cross-cutting in his movies, and “Magnolia” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Visually, the movie is a breathtaking feast for the eyes which is as appealing as cities in which strangers come together. Anderson effectively uses cross-cutting to capture the lives of individuals that share experiences of loss. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Wiseup scene. During this unforgettable scene, the various characters form a strong bond with each other by singing a song in different locations. One appreciates cross-cutting capturing hardships countless people in a city sharing emotions of loss are facing. Cross-cutting is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, cross-cutting elevates commemorated science-fiction movies. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Anderson captures frightening hardships which individuals impacted by emotions of loss are facing.

Another admirable aspect of “Magnolia” that is worth discussing is the production design. Anderson deftly uses production of hospitals to capture individuals which endure tension. Throughout the movie, the hospitals become an important setting showcasing characters which are grieving. For instance, the settings of the hospital enhance the father son scene. During this devastating scene, Frank Mackey has an emotional reunion with his dying father following countless years of separation. One appreciates the setting of hospitals showing tensions faced by people which are grieving. Hospitals are tricky to use in movies. As Milos Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” demonstrated, hospitals elevate classic films about mental health. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jon Brion’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that individuals impacted by loss bear. Through strong production-design, Anderson captures the lives of individuals that decline.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Magnolia” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture grieving individuals that are affected by loss. Throughout the film, frogs become a strong symbol of divine intervention characters are facing. For instance, the symbolism of frogs elevate the rainfall scene. During this clever scene, frogs fall from the sky in a fantastical downpour showcasing loss impacting lives of multiple individuals. It’s a strange scene that could have easily gone wrong in the hands of the wrong filmmaker. As strange as it sounds on paper, the frog downpour works extremely well. One admired symbolism capturing grim hardships that individuals impacted by losses are facing. Symbolism is a tricky technique to employ in movies. Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” demonstrated symbolism elevates movies about gangs. Stephen Daldry’s “The Hours” suggested, symbolism enhances films about feminist writers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Anderson captures the lives of individuals impacted by loss facing a painful price to pay.

One appreciates amazing performances.

John C. Reilly delivers one of his best career performances as Officer Kurring. Reilly first achieved appreciation for playing comedic heroes in iconic comedies. With “Magnolia”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a police-officer seeking to solve crimes in a city facing loss but Reilly succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Reilly has spent most of his career by portraying hilarious characters in comedies. With “Magnolia”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing an emotionally disturbed cop. With stunning expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and trauma of a commemorated police officer embarking on a journey to solve crimes in a downtrodden city. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working in the film industry today.

Tom Cruise is terrific as a standup comedian that struggles to reconcile broken bonds with his father causing issues. Cruise has spent most of his career playing action heroes in blockbusters. With “Magnolia”, however, the actor showcased emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Frank endured an emotional breakdown meeting his father on his deathbed is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. With riveting expressions, he captured the angst, determination and trauma endured by a commemorated standup comedian struggling to reconcile broken relationships with his estranged father. It’s a breathtaking performance from one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.

The supporting cast is sensational, and also worthy of praise. Julianne Moore is fantastic, bringing humanity to an estranged daughter struggling to cope with the dying state of her father affected by illness that causes disaster. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is powerful, bringing compassion to a male caretaker struggling to take care of a dying patient causing tension. Lastly, William H. Macy deserves appreciation. As a lonely gay writer, he brings heartbreaking emotion to the movie.

Finally, “Magnolia” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing individuals impacted by trauma. Unlike most movies produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, it tackles powerful themes everyone will relate to. It discusses meaningful themes including addiction, death and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the lives of American families to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about loss which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Magnolia” is one of those rare commemorated movies everyone will adore.

Fans of John C. Reilly would definitely enjoy “Magnolia” and so will movie-goers which seek meaningful entertainment. A fantastic masterpiece about loss, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.

Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about mourning individuals in the San Fernando Valley impacted by loss that’s frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.

5/5 stars