"We might be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us": Trauma and Self in Magnolia

For my twentieth post and sixth ‘Fi’s Favourites’, this week's post is about Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia (1999). I am a huge fan of almost all of Anderson's work and I really would recommend taking a look at all of his filmography. His films should be watched for the characters alone. The other elements: plot, theme, style; well, they are the cherry on top.

Magnolia is one of my all-time favourites and despite it coming in at over three hours long (I think at this point most of you will be aware of my slight aversion to long films), it is a film I come back to time and time again. Given that it is so long and has so many characters, I feel I gain something new from this film each time I watch it.

In fact, I think this weeks ‘Fi’s Favourites’ ties in nicely with some of the other themes I have been interested in and focusing on recently. There is action in this film, but it is mostly based on dialogue. Given that the characters are in times of difficulty or crisis and are discovering who they truly are in this film, talking features prominently. However, it still shows restraint. It still knows when to say nothing at all and even though emotional and dramatic monologues are required, as viewers we are not bombarded with them. Each has its time and place. Some are softly spoken and short, and some are emotional and delivered episodically throughout the film. Each character is working and building their way up to their own moment of realisation and clarity. They figure out the answers for themselves and this is achieved through dialogue.

In my post on Malcolm and Marie, I complained about the frequent use of monologues and how out of place they felt in the film, but Malcolm and Marie also brought up an important point that I focused on: films can exist to make us feel something. Magnolia is certainly one of those films. Each character evokes a different emotional response from the viewer. It is not a film about anything specific. It is about people; their past, their present and who they are.

Magnolia is an experience. It feels similar to other multi-narrative films such as Pulp Fiction, but it is actually different. It is unique and original in its approach to the multi-narrative structure in that not all of the characters are connected. They are connected by the film's central theme, but many of the characters never share the same space or talk to each other and some remain in one location for the entire film.

The characters are delving deep into themselves. Some want to and some are being forced into it by external influences. For some, their issues have been bubbling away at the surface and, for others, it's been one attempt to bury them after another. What's very satisfying to a viewer is that for each character introduced, their arc is developed and some resolution is reached. It’s an emotional plot with many "main characters". For the viewer, this means we get to watch many extremely talented actors give truly remarkable performances. I know Tom Cruise is not everyone's cup of tea, but I think his performance alone is one of my personal favourites. Some say it's because he is essentially playing himself in the film, but I don’t think I'll weigh in on that particular argument.

Magnolia is about the past and its effect on the present. It's about coping with the unfairness of life and the injustices of trauma. It is about knowing exactly who you are and accepting yourself as the person you are. The film explores the peace, relief and strength that can come from knowing who you are. We can all share in and gain from this and it certainly makes us feel something.

I know that it is ironic for me to say as I am writing about this film (though I hope I have managed to remain my usual vague self), do try to not look up anything about this film before you watch it. It's not necessarily that any great spoiler will be revealed, but rather that the film uses a very clever technique that should come as a surprise to the viewer to have its full effect. I have mentioned that the film is emotional, but this clever technique breaks this emotion and heaviness momentarily. People argue about what it means. I believe it to be an expression of the randomness of life; that sometimes some things are not in our control and that that needs to be accepted.

The plot, theme and characters are good enough reasons to watch this film. It also looks beautiful, though. There are some really stunning shots and clever use of cinematography. Other elements such as music are cleverly integrated into the film's character and story. By focusing on theme, narrative, and character, the other elements are slotted into place, making this film well-rounded.

These 'Fi's Favourites' posts are not always easy. Sometimes when you sit down to write about how great a film is, it can actually be a struggle. It's much easier to say what you don’t like. For me, though, Magnolia is a film that really makes you feel something. It has a plot and a theme that we can all connect with. It's about being human. Even though it is a little "out there" and you certainly have to go with it, Anderson has created an emotional and real film that I believe every person that watches it can relate to.