Magnolia
All of what you will read is true. This is something that happens.
Magnolia is about coincidences, and odd events that either make people think or bring people together.
I went to see this movie for the second time at 4:30 pm on Monday, Jan. 24 at Circle Center Mall. Outside the theater, a street-man begins his schpiel, and I say no thanks. While buying my ticket, I had the ticket lady validate my parking slip, which is nice. I then took some pictures for the graphics you will see on this page. After photo taking, I bought a small popcorn and a small drink, leaving me with about $4. While waiting for the start and eating popcorn, I spill the small bag after three bites; this forces me to purchase another, larger bag because I won't be getting out of this movie until about 8:00 (It's 3 hours long). After purchasing second bag of popcorn, I realize walking back that now have 25 cents in total funds. Three hours later, this wondrous movie ends and I sit for a few minutes in awe while watching the credits. I ride the elevator to my car in a daze. On the way to the parking garage, the same street-man (this time in a different location) offers the exact same schpiel, and I say no thank you, this time laughing a little bit. On my way out, the incredibly fat and hideous man manning the parking garage booth informs me that a validation is only good for four hours. I now owe him one dollar, only 25 cents of which I have. I tell this monstrosity of no personality that I will return to the mall where the shrine of our lives -- the ATM machine -- awaits. With a crisp twenty dollar bill in hand, I step foot on the elevator, realizing I have locked my keys in my car. This is a misfortune. In a complete state of dumbfoundment, I wander around, not wanting to face the blob's dial-tone stare, until I arrive at the information desk. The friendly, slender man of ample personality informs me that he can contact a locksmith that can jimmy me out for $25. I only have $20, and the shrine of ATM machine won't give me any more. So, realizing the gravity of my situation, this one hundred-dollar bill of a man gives me a five-dollar bill for the locksmith. On the way back down to my car, I run into the street-man, this time in the garage by the third floor elevator. He begins his speech, then we both start laughing. I watch the locksmith break into my car in no less than 20 seconds, then give him my $25. As he steps into his truck, I nearly lost all control. I still need the bloody dollar to give the slob in the window. This other one hundred-dollar bill of a man hands me a one-dollar bill. I give this to slobb-o in the window and drive off without looking at him. I can't talk the rest of the way home.
In this ordeal, there were otherwise insignificant but now life-changing (well, night-changing) events -- spilling my popcorn, which forced me to spend all the rest of my money, and watching the credits, causing me to stay three minutes (yes, three minutes) longer than the parking ticket allowed. There was also an incredible coincidence: running into street-man three times, which gave us both a reason to laugh, no matter to our situations. All of this after seeing an amazing movie, which just happens to be about life-changing events and incredible coincidences.
I'll start the conventional review portion with this statement: the movie Magnolia is a wonderful thing. It is difficult to express this wonderfulness in words. That sounds sappy but it is the absolute truth.
Basic plot overview (if it will do anyone any good): nine people's unrelated lives come together over a single day in Los Angeles (well-known actors in parentheses). It deals with a father dying of cancer, his young wife who married him for his money (Julianne Moore), the man's caretaker nurse, a boy prodigy and champion of kids' quiz show eight weeks running, his greedy father, the host of the kids' quiz show who is also dying of cancer, his unknowing wife, his coke addict daughter, an ex kids' quiz show champ who has lost it all (William H. Macy [the car salesman from Fargo]), a sex televangelist who preaches "Seduce and Destroy" (Tom Cruise), and a police officer in love.
The movie flips between their separate, yet
linked stories in a most fascinating way. All until an event of
Biblical proportions brings them all together. I cannot say
anything more.
The themes in this movie are enough to have a full life out of:
love, loss, regret, joy, sadness. The characters go through all
the emotions. Some are obvious, and some must be derived after
much thinking on the viewer end, and sometimes much deciphering
of cryptic messages.
There is so much to watch. Everything,
everything is important. The weather, the background music, every
line of dialog, the street signs, even the signs in the tiny
background held up by members of the kids' quiz show audience.
They all are important, whether they give clues or hints of
what's to come, objects for further research, or just the right
feeling.
A remarkable thing about this film is the discussion that takes
place afterwards. Upon first viewing, we did not stop talking
about this movie until several hours afterwards. It can be
interpreted in so many ways; everyone will get something
different from it. Upon second viewing, I heard another four guys
talking about it just like I did the first time I saw it. You
feel very good after this movie.
And what movie recently have you actually had to do a little research afterwards to reveal a key piece of the film's entire meaning? I sure can't remember any. But this movie sent me running to the Good Book faster than any church-guy could. This of course is not appealing to everyone, but I like it a lot.
Right now, you may be confused. Good. Go see this movie. It has all your answers.
8:2