Magnolia from among them.
The film tells about one day in the life of several people, one way or another connected with a certain TV game. Some make this program, others play in it, others are their relatives, the fourth are familiar with these relatives.
It all starts very dynamic, original. From place to quarry - the characters of the scene, scenery, plotting, face, fate flash. The theme is “incredible coincidences.” Okay, look.
And about the third hour of the picture, the pace decreases. Dialogues begin to sag, and the action - to stoop in place. And it ends very indistinctly. So many intrigues, storylines, questions - and very few answers and real solutions.
I feel like the filmmakers are scared. Because it would take much longer to untangle all the knots that they imposed at the beginning than three hours. But this is more than the timekeeping that the average viewer can endure. And some knots were cut, and others were hidden away from sin.
The saddest thing is that the subject is not disclosed. Where are the incredible coincidences? What connects all the characters and all the stories? Nothing. They were connected initially, it was hard not to notice. And the only coincidence is a rare natural phenomenon that all the characters witnessed, but given that all the events of the film take place in one city, this is not surprising.
Well, the subject matter, what is the idea of the picture? Does she even exist? Yes, in some stories, it seems to be present – “learn to forgive”, “accept loved ones as they are”, “a person has the right to make a mistake”; and quite banal basic truths: “drugs are harmful”, “suicide is not a way out”, “revenge is bad”, etc. But one big, basic idea that would crown this work is missing. So it stands separately, monumentally, as an unfinished temple is unclear which religion.
Why, then, is it "Magnolia"? "Because of gladiolus."
Bottom line: a ridiculous film, epic and fundamental in design so much that it was not enough even three hours to fully disclose the topic and plot. The creators of it had to understand that, of course, dashing trouble is the beginning, but you also need to finish the work qualitatively and with an understanding of what you want to see in the end. And there is a feeling that everyone decided: “But let’s shoot in this way, and the final somehow will be formed.” Not formed. In general, you can even watch Magnolia if you like original and unconventionally made films and at the same time do not waste time; but do not wait for revelations.
6 out of 10 Original
