Magnolia

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The film Magnolia starring Tom Cruise in on Channel 4 tonight but it doesn't finish until around 2.30 in the morning. Has anyone actually seen this film and if they have is it worth staying up for? Thanks.
 
Some found it pretentious, too long and over the top. But I thought it was magical. The acting is undeniably superb (Cruise included), and the sing along scene is both touching and ridiculous. As is the ending. But it's so passionate, and relentless with what it's trying to say, it's impossible not to admire.

It also introduced me to Aimee Mann, whose "Save Me" and "Wise Up" are just stunningly beautiful songs.
 
I agree that it's slightly pretentious (in a good way and not a bad way), seriously too long and perhaps a little over the top. Personally, I felt the acting was pretty stale and didn't really get me excited - Cruise's performance falls well short of the mark, despite what critics have said in the past.

Is it worth a watch? Certainly. As Sara & Emma said, it's a very passionate piece with a lot of emotion expressed in a rather narrow reaching storyline.
 
Really? Cruise had the most exciting part, and I can't think of too many people who have the looks/star quality/charisma/smugness to pull off one of those seminars as well as he does. He's wonderfully loathsome, and his deconstruction with the female interviewer is done perfectly in my opinion. The only scene of his I wasn't totally convinced by, was the deathbed scene, but I went with it.

Jason RobarRAB, Melora Walters and Philip Baker Hall are all excellent as well. The only real non starter for me was the quiz kid segments.

Above all that though, I think films like Magnolia and Being John Malkovich are great examples of the endless possibilities you have with the movies.
 
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