While the "Short Cuts" comparisons are justified (LA setting, multi-story structure, climax with a freak of nature) Magnolia is still a fine film in its own right. Anderson has followed up "Boogie Nights' with an ever better film. While some may call Magnolia sentimental, its a refreshing change from most recent American art movies, which seem to regard any human feeling whatsoever as lamentably unhip.
Whatever else happens to him, Anderson can claim that he succeeded where the late Stanley Kubrick failed, by getting something resembling acting out of Tom Cruise. While Cruise's Goebbels of the sex wars is the flashiest example, Magnolia features several other against-type castings. Most notably, Philip Seymour Hoffman finally gets to show that he can play competent and dignified.
The only unfortunate thing about the film is the soundtrack. The Aimee Mann songs aren't bad, but the incidental music is some of the most annoying and intrusive I've ever heard, often detracting from the action rather than complementing it.
Incidentally, if you want to know what the opening narration and the frogs are about, keep a careful eye on the books Stanley reads in the library... then head to your local "cult" bookshop.
Whatever else happens to him, Anderson can claim that he succeeded where the late Stanley Kubrick failed, by getting something resembling acting out of Tom Cruise. While Cruise's Goebbels of the sex wars is the flashiest example, Magnolia features several other against-type castings. Most notably, Philip Seymour Hoffman finally gets to show that he can play competent and dignified.
The only unfortunate thing about the film is the soundtrack. The Aimee Mann songs aren't bad, but the incidental music is some of the most annoying and intrusive I've ever heard, often detracting from the action rather than complementing it.
Incidentally, if you want to know what the opening narration and the frogs are about, keep a careful eye on the books Stanley reads in the library... then head to your local "cult" bookshop.