April 16, 2024
'Magnolia'
It's raining frogs in the studio as Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey rewatch the 1999 film 'Magnolia,' starring Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Cast
Tom Cruise as Frank T.J. Mackey
Julianne Moore as Linda Partridge
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Phil Parma
John C. Reilly as Officer Jim Kurring
William H. Macy as Quiz Kid Donnie Smith
Jason Robards as Earl Partridge
Philip Baker Hall as Jimmy Gator
Melora Walters as Claudia
Alfred Molina as Solomon
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Written by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Notes
- Budget of $37 million, grossed $48.5 million. PTA was about 27-28 years old, his third film after Hard Eight and 'Boogie Nights'.
- PTA got a 'blank check' from New Line after Boogie Nights' critical success. He designed the poster and edited the trailer himself.
- Originally taped in 2019 for the Luminary 'Rewatchables 1999' special feed, re-released in April 2024 as part of 'Rock Bottom Month.'
- Tom Cruise was nominated for Best Supporting Actor but lost to Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules.
- The deathbed scene: everything after Frank's 'I'm not gonna cry for you' was improvised by Cruise. PTA told him to think about when his own father died. PSH's crying reaction was genuine.
- The word 'fuck' is used 190 times. Over 7,900 rubber frogs were made for the frog scenes; the rest were CGI.
- References to Exodus 8:2 ('I will smite all thy borders with frogs') appear throughout – reportedly around 60 hidden references to the numbers 8 and 2.
- PTA screened Robert Altman's Nashville to his production team before filming. Claimed the film is structured like 'A Day in the Life' by the Beatles.
- The phone number 877-TAME-HER used to play a recording of Tom Cruise in character.
- Jason Robards had his own bout with cancer nine months before filming – essentially his last major role.
- PTA 1999 quote: 'I have a feeling that 'Magnolia' is, for better or worse, the best movie I'll ever make.' (He then made 'There Will Be Blood'.)
- Debra Winger was considered for Linda Partridge; Marlon Brando was considered for Earl Partridge.
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“Magnolia is the kind of film I instinctively respond to. Leave logic at the door. Do not expect subdued taste and restraint, but instead a kind of operatic ecstasy.”
Ebert gave it 4 stars.
Most re-watchable scene
- Winner: Frank T.J. Mackey confronts/breaks down at Earl Partridge's deathbed (Cruise and Robards scene). All three hosts agree.
- Other nominees: Opening vignettes (narrated by Ricky Jay), Mackey's grand entrance ('Respect the cock'), Julianne Moore's pharmacy meltdown, the frog deluge, Stanley's game show breakdown.
What aged the best?
- Frank T.J. Mackey as a character – PTA was 20 years ahead of the pickup-artist / men's self-help / incel culture.
- Amy Mann soundtrack. Philip Seymour Hoffman's restrained, empathic performance.
- Philip Baker Hall's understated performance. The Jimmy Gator character as a proto-#MeToo figure.
- Supertramp songs. Patton Oswalt appearing early in his career.
What aged the worst?
- PTA's 1999 quote about this being 'the best movie I'll ever make' (he then made 'There Will Be Blood').
- Melora Walters' performance/casting – Bill never understood the choice.
- Julianne Moore's performance feeling too close to Amber Waves in 'Boogie Nights' – 'completely unhinged' without build-up.
- John C. Reilly's character played as too dim – 'basically 'Forrest Gump'.'
- The movie is way too long. The 'Wise Up' sing-along diluted by years of TV shows copying it.
The hottest take award
- Bill: 'I don't see much difference between John C. Reilly's character and 'Forrest Gump'.'
- Sean: Julianne Moore's pharmacy scene 'is not actually good' – he would cut her character entirely.
Casting what-ifs
- Debra Winger was considered for Linda Partridge – Sean says the movie is better if Winger takes the part.
- Marlon Brando was considered for Earl Partridge.
- Bill speculates: Amy Adams or Emma Stone could have played Claudia if the movie were made 5-8 years later.
Best "that guy"
- Winner: Michael Bowen (Stanley's overbearing dad) – Bill didn't even know his name, the ultimate 'that guy' qualifier.
- Chris: Ricky Jay (also narrates the movie).
- Sean proposed Michael Bowen as a 'triple crown' winner (That Guy + Heat Check + Overacting).
Apex Mountain
- Amy Mann (solo career – Oscar-nominated song, performed at the Oscars).
- Melora Walters: 'Ironically, this is it for her.'
- San Fernando Valley. Frogs in movies.
Cruise or Hanks?
Cruise wins
Cruise wins. The category didn't exist when the episode was originally taped in 2019, but Bill added in the 2024 intro that Cruise clearly wins.
Picking nits
- Frank T.J. Mackey doesn't think a journalist will research his real background despite being a public figure with infomercials.
- The game show not letting the kid go to the bathroom is absurd.
- It doesn't rain in LA (and 99% humidity is unrealistic). Jason Robards and Julianne Moore don't seem like a believable couple.
- Continuity: Linda Partridge's car goes from rain-soaked to bone dry between cuts.
Over-acting award
- Winner: Julianne Moore as Linda Partridge – the hosts literally rename the overacting award after her character. This is the birth of the 'Linda Partridge' overacting category on the show.
- Michael Bowen also a candidate. Tom Cruise discussed but rejected – his intensity is earned by the deathbed scene.
Who won the movie?
Tom Cruise – unanimous. His Oscar loss to Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules considered one of the biggest outrages in the history of the podcast.