Rating: 
Summary: Anderson perfects the art of characterization...and more.
Review: "Magnolia" is a film that should go down in history. And for the mere reason of Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson's brilliant screenwriting is seen the best through his characters. By this talent the piece truly is an ensemble film, for no character outshines the next. Linda Partridge and Claudia Gator, my personal favorite characters, go through the gamut of emotions throughout the script, while likewise staying true to their original motives and feelings. Basically, the thing that makes Anderson's characters real is that they ARE real. They are normal people whose lives have, along the lines, come apart at every possible seam. No people live absolutely perfect, happy lives, and this is what Anderson gets across. Many of the characters in the script on first look seem invincible, strong, glorified, and beautiful. It does not take long for the reader to see, though, that the most perfect people have the weakest constitutions and strength. The film is superb. The actors and actresses Anderson used were the ones that could get the job done, not just the big names (okay, despite Tom Cruise and maybe Julianne Moore) that would pull in the crowds. Anderson's direction is also brilliant, for you see that he and his script pulled every ounce of his characters out of his cast. Anderson is somewhat like the Mel Brooks of the modern, dramatic realm of film. He writes his scripts, does the directing, and he uses the actors and actresses that he knows will deliver. Many of the castmates in Magnolia also appeared in Boogie Nights, and some even in the earlier Anderson film, Hard Eight. He...in truth...is brilliant, and this script is his best one yet I think. My fingers are crossed for him at the Academy Awards this March for his Screenplay nomination, but I'm only upset that no more than three people (Anderson, Aimee Mann, & Cruise) were recognized by the Academy for their amazing performances in the film (especially Melora Walters). And the bottom line...Anderson is pure brilliance and is one of the next great film makers of our time, and I cannot wait to continue following his career.
Rating:
Summary: Anderson perfects the art of characterization...and more.
Review: "Magnolia" is a film that should go down in history. And for the mere reason of Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson's brilliant screenwriting is seen the best through his characters. By this talent the piece truly is an ensemble film, for no character outshines the next. Linda Partridge and Claudia Gator, my personal favorite characters, go through the gamut of emotions throughout the script, while likewise staying true to their original motives and feelings. Basically, the thing that makes Anderson's characters real is that they ARE real. They are normal people whose lives have, along the lines, come apart at every possible seam. No people live absolutely perfect, happy lives, and this is what Anderson gets across. Many of the characters in the script on first look seem invincible, strong, glorified, and beautiful. It does not take long for the reader to see, though, that the most perfect people have the weakest constitutions and strength. The film is superb. The actors and actresses Anderson used were the ones that could get the job done, not just the big names (okay, despite Tom Cruise and maybe Julianne Moore) that would pull in the crowds. Anderson's direction is also brilliant, for you see that he and his script pulled every ounce of his characters out of his cast. Anderson is somewhat like the Mel Brooks of the modern, dramatic realm of film. He writes his scripts, does the directing, and he uses the actors and actresses that he knows will deliver. Many of the castmates in Magnolia also appeared in Boogie Nights, and some even in the earlier Anderson film, Hard Eight. He...in truth...is brilliant, and this script is his best one yet I think. My fingers are crossed for him at the Academy Awards this March for his Screenplay nomination, but I'm only upset that no more than three people (Anderson, Aimee Mann, & Cruise) were recognized by the Academy for their amazing performances in the film (especially Melora Walters). And the bottom line...Anderson is pure brilliance and is one of the next great film makers of our time, and I cannot wait to continue following his career.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: 1999 was a magnificent movie year--American Beauty, Boys Don't Cry, Election, The Insider, Run Lola Run, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and not to mention MAGNOLIA (I haven't seen 3 Kings, The Straight Story, the End of the Affair, Toy Story 2, All About my Mother, or Being John Malkovich yet but I'm sure I'll add them too). Magnolia was brilliant, fearless, and sorrowful. It was a perfect marriage of a talented director, a great cast, and the perfect song compilation of Aimee Mann (the CD is indispensable, I listen to it, or at least all of the songs by her, all the time). The frogs, the musical montage, all of the twists--the entire movie was magical, real and yet surreal. Now this book is a wonderful way to remember the movie. The script is helpful in finalizing all the details many missed when confronted head-on with so much to take in. Plus, I love the bonus stuff--an introduction by the director, plus a new interview where he talks about the frogs, the music, that weird character that was eliminated from the film (I can't think of his name), deleted scenes, Aimee Mann, and his favorite character. Plus complete cast, great for keeping track of all the actors, many from Boogie Nights, another **** Anderson epic. AND, fifteen pages of gorgeous color photos, both stills from the film and pictures from the set with Anderson and his actors. What more could you ask for? It's the definitive screenplay book for an unforgettable movie.
Rating:
Summary: exodus 2:8
Review: A compelling, in depth look at the lives of eight people in suburbia, "Magnolia-the shooting script" is one not to be missed by anyone who considers themselves a true "Magnolia" fan. It has often been stated that Paul Thomas Anderson lacks as a screenwriter but exells as a director. I finished reading "Magnolia" within 90 minutes, and I did not see how anyone could say that. The script pulled me in and kept me reading just like I was watching it on screen. We are offered director's insight into how he wants to see everything on film, and, this being the shooting script (meaning "original"), we are meant to see everything just how it was originally invisioned. We are offered the complete rules on "Seduce and Destroy". We meet the character of "The Worm" who is mentioned and seen only briefly in the film. Reading this script will immediately make anyone feel like he or she is reading a piece of classical American fiction, as well as assure them that they are in the presence of a the greatest natural born film maker since Alfred Hitchcock.
Rating:
Summary: A review for a magnificent film and book
Review: A few years ago, I ran into Mister Anderson during a signing of the DVD release of "Boogie Nights" in Hollywood, California. He spoke about movies and his current project back then, "Magnolia" and told me it would be quite an extensive piece of work. But what he failed to mention was that this work was a poetic masterpiece in both story, character, and dialogue, Mister Anderson is a master in that field. So when I saw the film, I had to have the book. Mister Anderson is, and always will be, a huge influence on my films (e.g. "Traffic Signals" and "Populus"). Bravo to you, Mister Anderson.
Rating:
Summary: Magnolia is awsome!
Review: A great movie and a great book. People who are looking for a memento to remember the epic movie from Paul Thomas Anderson will find what they are looking for in this illustated screenplay.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible from scope to screen to script
Review: Admitted, I've not seen the movie. I loved Boogie Nights, which I thought was worlds beyond just "a flick about porno". It was deep, and intriguing, and dark. And this book is no different. These characters are not perfect, nor do they pretend to be. They are real, their emotions are real, and its so unabashadly beautiful how they can do what they feel when they feel it. Some of the writing (especially Frank TJ Mackey's monologues) are downright hilarious. At first I thought that so many characters would make the story incoherant, harder to conceptualize exactly what was going on. The beauty of scripts, in my opinion, is the fact that you can visualize the film in your head, see the characters doing these things, ESPECIALLY if you haven't seen the movie, which I'm dying to do. Paul Thomas Anderson can't make a bad movie, or a bad script. The three stories intertwine and revolve around one long day in the San Fernando Valley; from the old, disheartened Quiz Kid, the young and new Quiz Kid, from the dying man and his frazzled bride, to the lonely cop with low ambitions. They all circle around one another beautifully, from scene to scene telling you the ultimate story about love, life, and what it means to actually BE there for someone. It doesn't have to be perfect, or beautiful, or meaningful, you can only do the best you can. At moments the script even pokes fun at itself, saying in one situation "this is the part in the movie where you help me out" which I thought was cool and funny and cute at the same time (and the FROGS! The FROGS!...) Don't doubt PT Anderson, his next will probably blow this one away. But he'll have a hell of a time trying.
Rating:
Summary: Gold
Review: Anderson is brilliant and this is a great screenplay to buy for anyone interested in screenwriting and/or directing. The story, or stories, are so compelling that the suspense is there even when you read this book. Good stuff, good times.
Rating:
Summary: magnolia is wonderful
Review: i bought this script cause the movie was great.the script is a terrific piece of work and it shows from cover to cover.although this is the shooting script,it didn't stop me from directing the script in my head.everything about it was great,from the characters to the nice color photos in the back,to the smell of the smell of the book.the interview of paul thomas anderson was also nice,allowing us to see how he came up with the characters and how he was inspired. clearly the theme of this wonderful story is regret.we feel for the characters as they are put in a position where they have to face their sins of the past and as they do,they regret not doing things differently.its a very powerful screenplay that really gets to you.a lot of people think its too long but its just right because all eight characters took their time to develope in front of the reader.the screenplay does get to you and judging by his latest screenplay,paul thomas anderson will have movie fans through out the world eagerly awaiting his next film.i know i will.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent film but the script????
Review: I have to say when I first read the script I was kinda of disappointed because there are changed lines in it like the scene where Frank meets his father for the first time its almost completely changed but I'm not mad its cool reading stuff from what Anderson wrote first But disappointing there are so many great stuff that are in the film but not in the script thats why I'm disappointed. Its a very well done script but changed. See Magnolia first and then read the screenplay. Matt
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