MAGNOLIA (1999) ** I can easily see how Paul Thomas Anderson must have felt like he was really doing something: the ambition alone is adrenalin-inspiring, the chaotic approach executing and damned, the universal themes relegated to pin points...but for me it never hits those deep notes that change the game from exercise to epiphany, or even catharsis. For me it's ultimately Grand Canyon lite, eventually staggering home more defeated than speaking in tongues, at 188 minutes. Too many hysterical, manipulative, abusive cards are played-towards the characters and the audience-for the payoffs to be justified. The big metaphor is nice and well played, and Anderson fills the work with some cool camera work that's easiest explained in terms of guitar solos, and some of the acting is excellent (Tom Cruise some of the time, Julianne Moore most of the time, Melora Walters on occasion, Melinda Dillon when she's supposed to), but even if it's a celebration of doggedness you're after you're better off checking out a local production of Waiting for Godot.
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