|
Magnolia: Ahh, Magnolia... wondering why its at the top of my list eh? Could
it be that I have an unhealthy obsession with Paul Thomas Anderson? perhaps... more likely however, its the
combination of incredible acting, flawless plot structure, and beautful filmic technique. As if you didn't figure out
the point of the movie between the 3-minute intro, and the final minute of the 3hr 15min running time, Magnolia is about
strange coincidences, identical character struggles, and dealing with the past. Anderson gives us pairs of characters
that we can relate through each of their separate stories throughout the course of the movie: Stanley and Frank, Jimmy and
Earl, Stanley and Donnie, Claudia and Linda, Jim and Frank... the list goes on, and the relationships overlap. What
makes the film so beautiful is the skill with which Anderson works with each of his character's emotions. Through soliloquoys,
music, biblical quotes, and yes even cinematography, we are presented with each characters struggles and motives. Anderson
is incredibly innovative in his approach to storytelling, while giving obvious nods to directors such as Scorsese, Tarantino,
Malick in his use of staging, lighting, and editing.
|
