Magnolia (1999)
Film · Drama
Stream itif you want an ambitious, operatic exploration of human connection that rewards a significant time investment.
A sprawling, ambitious emotional mosaic that is both exhausting and deeply rewarding. It is a raw look at trauma and coincidence, demanding the viewer's full attention across its nearly three-hour runtime.
What it is about
On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.
Trailer
What Magnolia is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film is a high-intensity, propulsive experience that rarely lets its audience breathe. Despite the lengthy runtime, the pace is restless, driven by a kinetic camera and a near-constant musical score that heightens the emotional stakes of every encounter. It feels less like a series of separate stories and more like a single, synchronised heartbeat that slowly builds towards a fever pitch of desperation and strange coincidence.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who appreciate maximalist filmmaking and powerhouse ensemble acting, particularly from Tom Cruise and Julianne Moore. It is not for anyone seeking a light evening or a straightforward narrative. The film is emotionally punishing and frequently loud, refusing to shy away from raw nerves or theatrical outbursts. The primary caveat is the runtime; at over three hours, its sheer scale can feel self-indulgent to the impatient.
The right evening for it
It is perfect for a night when you are prepared to be completely absorbed by a film's world. You should be in the mood for something heavy, philosophical, and intensely dramatic that demands your total focus.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Featurette
Featurette · How Tom Cruise wrote Mackey's opening monologue in Magnolia
How Magnolia leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to feel wrung out and spiritually winded. It leaves a heavy, contemplative residue, making the world feel simultaneously more chaotic and more interconnected than it did before.
How Magnolia ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with a surreal rain of frogs falling from the sky across Los Angeles, affecting each character's fate. Jimmy's suicide attempt is interrupted by the frogs, causing him to accidentally ignite a house fire instead. Donnie is knocked from a utility pole by a frog and is rescued by Jim, who later helps him return the stolen money. Rose reconciles with Claudia, and Frank stays by the bedside of the recovering Linda after witnessing Earl's death. Meanwhile, Stanley confronts Rick about his behaviour, though Rick remains dismissive.
Jim visits Claudia to express his commitment to their relationship. The story concludes as Claudia looks directly into the camera and smiles, suggesting a moment of genuine connection. While the supernatural event provides a catalyst for several reconciliations and rescues, the long-term impact on Stanley's home life and Linda's recovery remains open.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Short Cuts (1993)
a multi-narrative tapestry of interconnected lives in California
The Tree of Life (2011)
its grand, cosmic scope applied to intimate family trauma
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More clips
Featurette · Tom Cruise on writing his own Magnolia opening monologue
Magnolia soundtrack
Music by Jon Brion
- 1One
- 2Momentum
- 3Build That Wall
- 4Deathly
- 5Driving Sideways
- 6You Do
- 7Nothing Is Good Enough
- 8Wise Up
- 9Save Me
- 10Goodbye Stranger · Supertramp
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Awards
Magnolia won Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture) at the Golden Globes. It also won at Berlin. It was nominated at the Oscars.
Oscars
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor · Tom Cruise · 2000
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay · Paul Thomas Anderson · 2000
Golden Globes
- Won: Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture) · Tom Cruise · 2000
Berlin Film Festival
- Won: Golden Bear · 2000
3 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress · Julianne Moore · 1999
- Won: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Nominated: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress · An Ideal Husband · 1999
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Magnolia an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic, with a tearjerker streak. A sprawling, ambitious emotional mosaic that is both exhausting and deeply rewarding. It is a raw look at trauma and coincidence, demanding the viewer's full attention across its nearly three-hour runtime.
- How long is Magnolia?
- Magnolia runs 189 min and was released in 1999.
- Where can I watch Magnolia in Canada?
- In Canada it is not included with any subscription service at the moment. JustWatch lists rental and purchase options.
- What awards did Magnolia win?
- Magnolia won Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture) at the Golden Globes. It also won at Berlin. It was nominated at the Oscars.
- Who composed the music for Magnolia?
- The music for Magnolia is by Jon Brion. The soundtrack album, Magnolia (Music from the Motion Picture), has 13 tracks.
- What songs are on the Magnolia soundtrack?
- Magnolia (Music from the Motion Picture) has 13 tracks, including “One”, “Momentum”, “Build That Wall”, “Deathly” and “Driving Sideways”, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is Magnolia worth watching?
- Stream it: if you want an ambitious, operatic exploration of human connection that rewards a significant time investment. IMDb users rate it 8.0 out of 10 from 341,915 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 82%, Metacritic 78 and TMDB users 7.7.
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