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Magnolia
Magnolia Image
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Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 110 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    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.
  2. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Charles Taylor
    60
    None of the characters in Magnolia feel as vividly imagined as the porn stars and filmmakers and hangers-on of "Boogie Nights."
  3. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    25
    A three-hour-and-10-minute exercise in slight characterization, pointlessly showy editing and vapid plotting.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 54
  3. Negative: 12 out of 54
  1. AndrewG
    10
    I noticed most of the zero's on here dismiss Magnolia as a boring or artsy film people enjoy because it makes them feel smart. Magnolia makes you feel smart because it IS smart. In fact, P.T. Anderson's shattering of narrative convention is the most unique undertaking since Citizen Kane. I won't ruin the ending, but I will say that different aspects of the film, from the characters to the themes, have already started to converge, making the ending acceptable. Some character studies are boring and have an unwarranted reputation, but not here. If your smart enough and want to invest some time towards wrapping your head around this one, you'll be amazed.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Paxster
    9
    A rare success with this film is that it is a Tom Cruise film I like. But to be honest,it's not really about him it's how the cinematography is so interwoven you can't remember where you went last and where you are going to go next. To think of a story like this takes time and dedication and to keep you hanging on for 3 Hours isn't a bad feat either.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. BiffL.
    2
    Various blighted, phony, humorless characters strutting and fretting between ridiculous marginally intelligent speechifying, all of them so dishonest, lost and damned that the only salvation (or relief at least) possible would be a plague of equally phony frogs dropping from the sky. Reminded me of the Sam Kinison routine about the people starving in the desert. Like, if your life is really anything like that, why the fuck don't you MOVE? It made my 10 worst films of all time list, nearer the top than the bottom.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 54 User Reviews

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