What I Am Watching

Watching the movie Magnolia is a commitment. Clocking in at just over three hours, this is not the film you casually put on at 9PM wanting to kill time before bed. This involves scheduling and planning, to give the time and energy demanded by this long and complex masterpiece. Briefly, the movie is the intertwining stories of seemingly unrelated characters who all eventually overlap in their search for love, truth and forgiveness. This is not a happy film, it is not light, it is not bright. But its message is powerful, and can leave the viewer feeling better about themselves, and life in general. We are all here together, struggling through this complex and difficult life that despite our planning and intentions surprises us with conflicts and gifts.

The performances are stellar. If you were to pick Tom Cruise’s best dramatic performance, most may go right to Rain Man, but this is the one you want to see. He is incredible, sealing his reputation as one of this generations great actors. Philip Seymour Hoffman is outstanding as well, coming across with tenderness and strength in a character that at first glance suggests otherwise. All of the actors are strong, impressive and rise to the challenge of the script, but Julianne Moore needs to be singled out for her performance. She shows vulnerability, anger, fear and loneliness in a way only she can.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite movies. Every scene is shot to draw you in, every actor is worth the words they are given, and the music is legendary in how it meshes with the images on the screen. Go watch it, but make sure you have the time to give this true work of perfection.