How does "Magnolia" compare to other PT Anderson's?

[X-Nightcrawler]

I recently watched "Magnolia" in its entirety and thought it was an absolutely amazing piece of film. Completely, completely great (the "Wise Up" scene was definitely one of the best things I've seen in a movie in a while).

I wanted to ask, because this is a very respected director around here. I got very curious about his other movies which I honestly know nothing about. How do they compare? Hopefully he didn't pull that amazing one and a series of duds around it, because I might just fall in love with PT Anderson.

Since I can't stand Wes Anderson, I need another Anderson I love (. . . W.S. doesn't count . . .).

[The Heart Collector]

his other movies are more concise, less sprawling, more economical, etc. they're easier to follow, less scattershot.

[X-Nightcrawler]

his other movies are more concise, less sprawling, more economical, etc. they're easier to follow, less scattershot.

Thanks. But as far as, what, the realistic characters, great use of music, etc? I hope his other movies keep that.

[Derek237]

IMO Boogie Nights is equally as great as Magnolia...both have great acting, great music, and a very impressive overall style. I can't even really say which I personally like better, as I usually keep going back and fourth.

As for Punch Drunk Love, it's very good but very different. Definitely not a GREAT movie like his previous two.

[The Heart Collector]

Thanks. But as far as, what, the realistic characters, great use of music, etc? I hope his other movies keep that.

Boogie Nights is similar. Great use of music (even better than Magnolia), memorable characters, etc. It's just more streamlined, also since there's a main character it's just more coherent and flows better.

Punch-Drunk Love is a little weirder. If you like the weird aspects of Magnolia (the sing-a-long, the ending) you'll enjoy it, it's a very quirky movie. Great soundtrack too.

[APzombie]

I recently watched "Magnolia" in its entirety and thought it was an absolutely amazing piece of film. Completely, completely great (the "Wise Up" scene was definitely one of the best things I've seen in a movie in a while).

I wanted to ask, because this is a very respected director around here. I got very curious about his other movies which I honestly know nothing about. How do they compare? Hopefully he didn't pull that amazing one and a series of duds around it, because I might just fall in love with PT Anderson.

Since I can't stand Wes Anderson, I need another Anderson I love (. . . W.S. doesn't count . . .).

Boogie Nights has a similar energy and practically the same cast (replace Cruise with Reynolds), ultimately though, both are about family problems and how people will try to escape/fix them.

Sydney/Hard Eight is great freshman film.

Punch Drunk Love is like a humorous love letter, a wonderful gem i think.

There Will Be Blood-... i can only judge by the script but it does deal with family issues too.

All of his other films are just as great, in my opinion, though Magnolia's pace is the fasted, i suppose you can say.

[Badbird]

Boogie Nights will feel very similar. I really liked it and Magnolia (though they could have shed a few pounds in my opinion). A lot of stuff in Boogie Nights is laugh out loud hilarious, simply because the characters are so absurd and take themselves seriously.

However, I absolutely hated Punch Drunk Love. It was too quirky and stupid for its own good.

[chasingbanky]

My enjoyment of PT's movies goes a little something like...

1. Boogie Nights

2. Sydney

3. Magnolia

4. Punch Drunk Love


*There Will Be Blood looks like it could be better than them all. I think if you can enjoy Magnolia then you should have no problem adoring Boogie Nights. From there your PT love will be unstoppable and you will be forced to view the other two out of pure curiosity.

[The Postmaster General]

I agree with AP that Boogie Nights is his most similar to Magnolia. Hard Eight (Sydney), and Punch Drunk Love have the same type of dysfunctional characters and odd relationships, but are 'smaller', quieter films. There's no Supertramp, for instance in those.

Boogie Nights, when I saw it struck me as Goodfellas for the porn industry; others have felt the same. That's a difference between it and Magnolia. Whereas Magnolia takes place in a moment in time, Boogie Nights spans a sort of lifetime, although its only maybe a decade, its treated in epic fashion, which is a similarity to Magnolia, but BN really narrows the focus to key characters. Although there's a lot of strong supporting characters with interesting back stories, we mainly spend time with just Walberg's character.

You're also find Boogie Nights to be much more upbeat. Although it has it's share of intense, difficult, and moving moments, they are usually underscored with something of a grin. We don't watch anyone die of cancer, for instance.

Punch Drunk Love strikes me as PT Anderson making an Adam Sandler movie. The film really is Sandler's classic character - sweet, but dumb, with peculiar interests, and a violent temper. Except whereas the usual Sandler character is a goofy oddball, Anderson treats the character very real and presents something a bona fide sociopath.

Gone from the Magnolia-Anderson is the pop/pop rock soundtrack. Added are transitions that look like screensavers with the sound of jumbled dialogue playing in the background, lens flares and colors appearing in shots, and a soundtrack that includes a song lifted from the Popeye soundtrack - maybe if Magnolia was Anderson making Altman's Short Cuts, you could look at Punch Drunk as Anderson making Altman's Popeye.

Punch Drunk Love would probably be Anderson's most indulgent and pretentious effort, if this weren't negated by the fact that the film weighs in at just around 90 minutes. I, personally, liked it a lot, but this is the only theater were I heard someone in the audience actually comment aloud that it's "weird".

Sydney (Hard Eight) is probably his least distinct film. It's very solid though. As being an Anderson film, it wouldn't be my first recommendation though. Still, it comes recommended. I've only seen it twice over the course of maybe 10 years, so that's that.

[chinton]

First thing first please please please do not go into There Will Be Blood with any notion of what a PTA film is. There are some similirities particuraly in sound design and his very distintive brand of dialogue (particuraly DDL's "Are You an envious man?" speech), but that's where the similarities. The movie is like Kubrick on a particularly angry day. Its very cold, stark, and downright nasty. Still great though of course.


I love all his films and while Magnolia is my favorite the more I watch Punch Drunk Love the more I'm amazed at how economical that film is. There is not one wasted moment. Every single scene, camera movement, line of dialogue adds to the movie to establish the persona of Barry.

Also its such a gloriously positive film.

[mutesaint]

Since so many people have already said most anything I can say already Ill be quick. Boogie nights is amazing. I dont think it can be said better than Goodfellas only about porn instead of the mafia. Bubba nailed that one. Punch Drunk Love is kind of like PTA's The Fountain.(not in style but in reaction) There is almost no real way to guess how someone will react to it. There are PTA fans who loath that movie and I know several people who can't stand Magnolia who love Punch Drunk Love. Give it a shot. You may like it, might not. I will garuntee you that your reaction will be strong. No nimbly bimbly in the middle shit. Love or hate. I loved it.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Holy shit, great replies. Thanks a lot.

[thetdenz]

Now, I have yet to see "There Will be Bloood" but I believe that "Magnolia" is his best film.

[ilovemovies]

Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love are damn good movies. But Magnolia is his masterpiece. It's definitely his best movie so far. Although There Will Be Blood looks like it could be even better than Magnolia.

[Cronos]

Magnolia is by far his best movie, Boogie Nights is also great, Punch-Drunk Love left me disappointed but it's one I need to give another look.

[The Postmaster General]

First thing first please please please do not go into There Will Be Blood with any notion of what a PTA film is. There are some similirities particuraly in sound design and his very distintive brand of dialogue (particuraly DDL's "Are You an envious man?" speech), but that's where the similarities. The movie is like Kubrick on a particularly angry day. Its very cold, stark, and downright nasty. Still great though of course.


To me, the major consistency in Anderson's work has been his ability to present absolutely repulsive characters who I come to either feel for or relate to. Is this the case with Blood?

[chinton]

To me, the major consistency in Anderson's work has been his ability to present absolutely repulsive characters who I come to either feel for or relate to. Is this the case with Blood?


I kind of disagree. His characters have been flawed but I think in all his films he presents decent people. The core of their goodness may be surrounded by levels of nuerosis and hang-ups but I think all of his films have decent people at their core especially considering how empathetic he is to these people.

Danel Plainview is not a good guy. He is a fascinating compelling character but there is no goodness at his core. He is a sociopathic monster. There Will be Blood is as far away from sentimental as you can get.

[The Postmaster General]

I kind of disagree. His characters have been flawed but I think in all his films he presents decent people. The core of their goodness may be surrounded by levels of nuerosis and hang-ups but I think all of his films have decent people at their core especially considering how empathetic he is to these people.

No, not so much that. I mean all of his characters are pretty sleazy to an extent. They do things that society really looks down on. It's kind of how Mann makes you like criminals, except Anderson's characters aren't necessarily criminals - there's just a lot of things that are easily described as deplorable.

I'm not talking about something like "the hooker with a heart of gold", because Anderson doesn't make the characters extraordinary, I think it's just that he shows they are human.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Good point.

The fact that I loved a deplorable character like Frank Mackey or someone like Linda Partridge say a lot. Not to mention the completely pathetic Donnie. But I also loved the more lovable characters like Phil or Jim. And actually felt sorry for Claudia.

It's just good fucking writing/acting. I need to watch it again, I'm in love with it.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

I'm a big fan of the first 2/3rds of his films. But I always tune out towards the end.

[ScaryFreak1827]

I'm a big fan of the first 2/3rds of his films. But I always tune out towards the end.

I'm sure the raining of frogs brought you back:D

[chinton]

Wait til you guys see the insane ending to TWBB. Much like the frogs it wil split people down the middle.

[X-Nightcrawler]

I thank god that frog scene happened. The entire movie it was leading to something huge; the feel of doom is thick.

Weird, but I loved to see a big surprise overcoming the characters.

"Dad, I think you should be nicer to me."

[APzombie]

i think there is actually a quote from P.T., when he was doing press for Magnolia, where he says he'll likely never make a film as good as that again. Then in a recent interview about There Will Be Blood, the interviewer brought up that statement and asked him if it was still true. Apparently Anderson just looked at him and didn't answer. Both the original quote and the later interview were found over at cigarettesandredvines.com

[FatSakHead]

Boogie Nights also has Mark Wahlberg's dong in it, whereas PT Anderson's other movies don't, so that's something you might want to consider.