Magnolia- Title Card and Character Introduction

The Bit in the film magnolia after the opening monologue, introducing all the characters.
All rights to their respective owners.
Music:
One by Aimee Mann

[@BeatlesGuyTV]

John C Reilly's character in this movie is my favorite character portrayed on film ever. He's naive, childlike, and painfully mundane, but he's probably the best representation I've ever seen in a movie of a normal, honest, every-man with a giant heart.

[@sandothemando8924]

To me, he and Philip Seymour Hoffman's characters represents angels in this story. They want to do good for people and the world despite all their flaws, and each have naive, compassionate, innocent and childlike qualities. Their characters are both the voice of reason in the chaotic lives that surround them and they are onlookers to all the devastation happening around them. Neither of them have an overt family or personal tragedy in their lives unlike the other characters, and they are attempting to rectify other people's hardships sometimes to their own detriment.

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

What's also great is that although they don't "win" in the end (Phil does not save Earl's life, Jim does not "cure" Rose), there is definitely a sense that they did succeed. Phil reunited Frank with his father and fixed a grudge that Frank had against him for years, and he made sure that Earl did not die in vain. Jim commits to his relationship with Rose and she smiles at the end, implying that she will find peace.

[@uncreativelynamedchannel5887]

+Hopingover Leavesinfall 1. Phil didn’t expect to save Earl’s life, as he would die no matter what, and that would be literally impossible, and 2. It’s up to debate on whether Claudia changes at the end of the film. Her smile as the last shot implies possible happiness, and her father’s death may have provided some closure. Enough to maybe leave cocaine, and be happy with Jim.

[@concernedparty1148]

Honestly this changed my opinion of the Police forever. I respect them. It’s a hard job. They see the absolute worst.

[@randywhite3947]

gnilttbs stop being a fucking hater John was great.

[@wwb2081]

I love how all the introductory shots are quick and chaotic forward-dolly or handheld shots...until we get to Officer Jim. His framing is instead still and simplistic. He is the only character whose life is relatively under control (despite maybe some loneliness). He has a handle on his job and routine, which is displayed here to be of a life so different and contrasting of all the other characters (especially his future girlfriend Claudia, who's introductory shots are ALL chaotic and dizzying).

[@Mr_Boifriend]

awesome observation!

[@bautibonzini2835]

The use of this song at the beginning is fucking fantastic. It lasts for the whole seven minutes and the voice constantly mixes with the dialogue. It's abundant, loud, messy but never messy; all the characters are connected instantly by this single song. "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do". Once the intro starts, you know you'll do nothing more for the next 3 hours but submerge into an experience.

[@matthewdavis8774]

"It's messy but it's not messy" Idk if you meant to do that but it totally makes sense actually and it completely works.

[@bautibonzini2835]

​@@matthewdavis8774toatally, I especially always loved how the song volume is at the same level or even more than the characters'.

[@spurcross]

The woman JC Reilly wants in his personal ad is the polar opposite of Claudia.

[@mytravels8685]

Not at all. It's perfect for her

[@MrSratticusFinch]

Honestly, he's damn brilliant. Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, and Boogie Nights alone are some of the best films I've seen and he deserves all the recognition in the world for them. Can't wait for The Master!

[@narlabegins]

I know I'm way too late to this, but I seriously want to know your opinions on The Master.

[@randywhite3947]

Nyarlath Returns not the person you are talking to but I think it’s his best work so far

[@LuisMartinez-rw2lj]

Randy White what did you guys think of phantom thread ? I love that film

[@TheHatman.]

7 years later, but what's your opinion on The Master? I think its a phenomenal movie, best of the 2010s. But still to me, There Will be Blood is his best work. Hands down

[@randywhite3947]

Luis Martinez I haven’t watched it yet

[@hawrnball]

Such a brilliantly edited opening sequence. It sets the tone immaculately for the film.

[@freddytheplatypus826]

it so fast paced and hard to follow to be honest. the always moving camera and left and right movement with actors really lends to giving me an anxiety feeling. is that the point of the opening?

[@tartik_peen6804]

Freddy The Platypus I feel like that’s the point

[@KK-pm7ud]

Boogie Nights was the same. Absolutely brilliant.

[@mohamedashian604]

@@freddytheplatypus826 I felt that the second time I watched it but I still love it

[@TheButterMinecart1]

@@freddytheplatypus826 Yeah that is the point of it

[@jakobsanchez738]

"We tune in to see the human interaction with Jimmy and some very special kids..." That foreshadowing though, holy shit.

[@JokersRWildStudios]

Jakob Sanchez It is eye-opening watching this a 2nd time. And every scene involving Jimmy and Claudia has a different light to it.

[@goatamatix894]

Are we talkin about him and claudia

[@leonthesleepy]

@@JokersRWildStudios was it ever confirmed he touched her?

[@alejandrovargasaguilar6180]

You mean he touched them?

[@randywhite3947]

Magnolia will forever be Paul Thomas Anderson’s Masterpiece

[@sandothemando8924]

P.T Anderson himself once said, 'I really feel that Magnolia is, for better or worse, the best movie I'll ever make'...

[@crappymcdick]

@@sandothemando8924 Yeah, once. He's stated that he could have made a better movie, and that The Master is the work he's the proudest of.

[@RShadow12]

@@crappymcdick Source?

[@33Luger]

I have to agree with PTA here. But I love his work and am waiting for Licorice Pizza.

[@leopoldbuttersstotch277]

I thought he said that "The Master" was his favourite movie that he's made.

[@fishbuddy663]

Greatest film of all time.

[@laustcawz2089]

Have you seen "Short Cuts"?

[@randywhite3947]

@@laustcawz2089I have what about it?

[@30RockChannel]

Watching this movie is a religious experience for cinephiles.

[@CorporalPoon]

+Amos Yee tips fedora

[@sandothemando8924]

Amen to that!! Magnolia is my second favourite film of all time, and as a bonafide film buff, I wholeheartedly agree that Magnolia is an orgasmic experience for us cinephiles!!

[@oilyshoes9969]

Umm.....lets not go overboard.

[@C.Church]

I'm not even a cinephile, but I swear to Buddha monks that I feel like one when I watch it. This movie is "I can't believe this movie exists!" good.

[@BloodyArmourKnight]

@@sandothemando8924 what is the first one?

[@Karpefilm]

the pace of the opening is just brilliant.

[@jrobert1jr]

It's amazing on how he made This and Boogie Nights in his 20s. It also shocks me how he has such a great grasp ob life at his young age when he made this.

[@user-bw9gu1hg2p]

every single minuites out of 188 of this film is just terrific. it is clearly the best of PTA.

[@C.Church]

Agreed. People say they like Boogie Nights more. While I agree that was fantastic, this Magnolia... it sticks to the emotional ribs and won't go away. I've come back to this film so many times since I first saw it over 10yrs ago. I have it on DVD but it's not here at the moment so here I am scavenging for internet scraps. It's that good.

[@C.Church]

Wait wait... there is one tiny (but large) thing that bugs me about this movie, a common irksome thing that afflicts a lot of tv and film: Characters who keep their foot on the gas in the middle of crashing. When the frogs come down, that trained driver of an emergency vehicle keeps plowing through in the middle of veering and crashing. A brilliant director could have had given the ambulance a better reason to keep skidding through other than a first time driver who doesn't have the hours behind the wheel to instantly remove the foot and apply the brake. I mean... it bugs me. lol Just that one thing, though. But it's so unrealistic. He keeps driving, veering, swerving, skidding, swerving, going going swerving... NO! Not realistic! lol

[@OliverObz]

C Ch I just got it on blue ray, watched it so many times love it! yea I always tell myself it's just such a crazy thing to happen you wouldn't know what to do, like the cop thinks someones chucking frogs at him. like maybe the ambulance driver just thought the same in some weird way and thought they were driving away from danger. my favourite is when Phillip Seymour Hoffman reacts.

[@randywhite3947]

C Ch nah everything you said is wrong the whole movie is perfect

[@TheWelchProductions]

No, There Will Be Blood is clearly PTA’s masterpiece.

[@markwilken2492]

I watch this movie probably once a year. Every time I notice new things and bits of conversations I never did before. Amazing movie from a very clever director

[@jonjohansen7994]

Good point. It's so obviously a film that, like most great films, improves markedly with repeat viewings. I find it astonishing to recall now, but I know that when I first saw this(not long after its release) that I wasn't completely bowled over. I only mention this to illustrate just how much, in my view, this film requires numerous viewings. I always find it strange when people can't perceive the benefits of this. They'll say, 'But you've watched that before, haven't you?'. I don't watch a film merely with the aim of finding out 'what happened'. I watch it for its beauty. Would anyone question another's desire to listen to a song more than once because they 'know how it goes'? The only difference is that a film requires a greater investment of time than the average piece of music. Apart from that....

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

I watch it every new year's.

[@leonthesleepy]

It’s 2021, and this is still one of the greatest movies of all time imo

[@chumpusmaximusohnose]

i love the oldschool science diagrams of the cancer, really clever and unique editing

[@XeeGen]

The directing in this movie is so ridiculously good

[@arnav7458]

Agreed, and this film is a masterpiece

[@leom8859]

It's so strange how PTA can take a joke and stretch it out until becomes tragic and the emotional drive of the film. For example: Donnie's jokes and constant referencing to his past on the game show becoming the one thing that defines him as a unique person.

[@LanceVanceDance84]

As well as the fact that early in the film he's (rightly) told by his employers that he doesn't need braces, yet by the end, after he falls from the drainpipe and cracks his teeth on the pavement, he now might actually need them, but doesn't have the money to pay for them.

[@skylarkirkland3768]

This movie resonates with me on a weird level. It represents how i feel all the time but it reminds me that the way i feel is also beautiful and worth experiencing. Life may be painful but its also wonderful even when its hard to recognize so.

[@Unqualifiedmedicalperson]

This movie wouldn’t be the same without Aimee Mann’s songs....

[@siemprevolador6530]

25% OF THE movie her songs. Intro, half, ending.

[@AN474-e1o]

This movie wouldn't EXIST without her songs.

[@siddhartino]

same goes for Jon Brion's score. gosh it creates such tension and majesty throughout the entire movie...

[@jaym8257]

@@AN474-e1o Hell the "Now that we've met would you object to never seeing each other again" is the opening lyrics in one of her songs. It's said to be the PTA's starting point for the movie.

[@tristano1984]

Powerful intro to a masterpiece.

[@rapunzelagain]

"Well? Then..." Love how John C. Reilly's thought is unfinished there. Fits the tone of the film perfectly.

[@pickyourswitchoriginal]

Still remains one of my favorite movies (if not #1). Vastly underappreciated.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

Looking through the comments, it's great to see that there are so many people that appreciate this masterpiece. When the history of cinema is written, "Magnolia" will loom large.

[@caredudimodiazmoreno]

Probably, the best script of all time !!

[@hood6089]

For sure.

[@tminustech]

PTA is a genius overwhelmingly so sometimes. You can watch his movies over and over and still get something new out of it. So much depth so much passion. It's incredible.

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

The camera has a mind of its own and helps move this 3 hr masterpiece with a sense of chaos and grace.

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

Yeah the crazy news paper style zoom in is a really nice touch. It makes the film feel alive and exciting

[@sandothemando3047]

This is such a provocative scene that displays the films long lasting quality.

[@tiggstah]

i still believe this is the greatest title intro in film history

[@DVincentW]

I feel a deep kinship to many of the commenters. I left the theater crying. It's a very cathartic film, very vulnerable, open and accepting. It's almost like a warm good hug all over. Also the Film Short Cuts by Robert Altman 1993.. love these two back to back as extraordinary character films. Direction, everything.❤️

[@sandothemando8924]

Possibly the most virtuoso showcase of filmmaking genius ever put to film. Simply superlative and beautiful!!

[@obeyhansolo]

It’s super crazy how Paul Thomas Anderson wrote this script all by himself 😮

[@mohammedashian8094]

It’s like nearly 200 pages long though he did have to cut some stuff for the theatrical release of the movie

[@bookeblade]

@@mohammedashian8094did you read the script?

[@mohammedashian8094]

@@bookeblade I did. It’s on a website called script slug

[@SCMusicStorage]

Kinetic is the only word. Along with brilliant.

[@rfbarrington]

Greatest film ever made.

[@MisterElwood]

really is

[@Osaka13]

Tom Cruise did a fantastic job in this movie. He plays assholes really well.

[@jrobert1jr]

He may be an asshole, but he has a terrible past affecting how he acts.

[@SupportKennedyVoteTrump]

Yeah...he's a natural...

[@NJLancaster]

John C. Reilly is a beautiful human being.

[@iadorenewyork1]

Six years later ... I am agreeing with you. I like him in most movies he is in.

[@tobelikegodnow]

Less violent and more eradicate, out of control and somehow stil connected, still grounded in the reality of the desperate characters and the mess that they have created..Absolute genius..one of the greatest films of all time, definitely.

[@NicholasAdamScott]

This sequence establishes the entire tone of the film alright --- a bunch of zoom shots and a lot of Aimee Mann.

[@mariana.centurion]

beautiful opening and beautiful ending for a film.

[@samsoncrosswood7259]

I’m the only person I know that likes this film.

[@dhoerst]

One is the loneliest number....

[@iadorenewyork1]

Me, too!

[@randywhite3947]

Samson Crosswood out of all the people in the world you are the only one who likes this film

[@KK-pm7ud]

Good thing we have the internet now

[@hodlwise2470]

Get better friends

[@tobelikegodnow]

This title card is the best movie of 1999

[@DerOgraf]

Probably, the best movie of all time !!!

[@laustcawz2089]

Have you seen "Short Cuts"?

[@Etherwa]

@@laustcawz2089 the one released at 1993 ?

[@rionachmisteilofionnagain9807]

greatest open to a film.

[@auto2112]

I saw this first time ever ten years ago, and to this day it's still my favourite. I can't see anything ever taking its spot.

[@chenyuxu6001]

I come back to this every few months. Insanely good opening

[@sandothemando8924]

If you look at the reflection of John C. Reilly's sunglasses while he's driving, you can see him making hand gestures while he's holding the steering wheel indicating that he's using his hands to express what he's saying as is common with people in real life. Such a subtle but fascinating addition that I only just fully noticed and appreciated. I wonder if P.T Anderson and company told John C. Reilly to do that or if he just naturally did it during the scene. Just one of the many things I keep noticing about this masterpiece; my 2nd favourite film of all time.

[@randywhite3947]

Sando the Mando what’s your favorite?

[@sandothemando8924]

@@randywhite3947 Fearless (1993)

[@randywhite3947]

Sando the Mando how do you feel about PTA’s other films?

[@sandothemando8924]

@@randywhite3947 I think they all have tremendous merit in their own way. I recently saw The Master for the second time. I didn't fully appreciate it on my first watch many years ago but after seeing it again with more of an open mind, it's easily one of the best films I've seen. The acting was absolutely extraordinary, cinematography and camerawork was incredible, and the way it explored themes of developing new religions and cultural ideas in 1950's post-WWII United States was fascinating. The period detail was impeccable as well. A true work of cinematic genius!!

[@sandothemando8924]

I love how it ends on John C. Reilly saying, 'Well, then...' Very open to interpretation.

[@matiasrdz2011]

really the best story ever told

[@an8dr2a]

Rest in peace to Mr. Baker Hall, he gave a terrific performance of a monstrous success man here

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

The word gets used so much that it doesn’t have much weight but this is a goddamn masterpiece. Deserves the highest honor a movie can be given.

[@randywhite3947]

Magnolia has arguably the best cast ever

[@anthonyd8835]

frantic, relentless quick intro. So concise and to the point.... all of these shots and transitions establish everything we need to know. even the closet/wardrobe shot at 4:08 shows how rich they are... great

[@mirkocrupi4504]

1999: Magnolia Opening sequence 2021: Licorice Pizza Trailer In twenty years, the ability of this man in editing music with presentation has not diminished a single day.

[@milart12]

I'm a huge PT Anderson fan but I had no desire to see Licorice Pizza. Was it any good?

[@LanceVanceDance84]

@@milart12 It's great, just like the rest of his work.

[@jodythomas4324]

I love how PTA fans can all have a favorite PTA film and all are justified. Me personally, The Master is my favorite film of all time, Joaquin and Phil Hoffman are my favorite actors. Hoffman was one of my favorites already before seeing The Master but it turned me into the biggest Joaquin Phoenix fan. The Master is the reason why when I head Phoenix was cast as the Joker I wasn’t worried about it at all. In fact I knew he would kill it from day 1. RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman, gone too soon.

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

I agree with you. The master is legitimately a perfect film. It's perfect. The acting, the story, the camera everything in that movie is poignant and brilliant.

[@bingo4519]

Favourite PTA film, one of the most powerful experiences I've had with the artform.

[@timgriffin3368]

Such an underrated gem, there were some flaws but thematically structured and acted, Easily one of my favorites!!!!

[@bookeblade]

One of the best opening to a movie ever.

[@markwoollon1807]

Fucking love this opening

[@mattsuperfreak]

Tom Cruise is so fucking great in this movie lol

[@ChrisWolff2013]

Robbed of Best Supporting Actor. He never played a character like this before.

[@vicator5]

Paul Thomas Anderson emulates elements of Scorsese's style so well. Did anyone else take note of the resemblance?

[@gamemaster2311]

the constantly moving camera, the music choices, mist of his characters. yea.

[@gamemaster2311]

+CptDrewBag Most*

[@gamemaster2311]

Funny enough, I fucking love PTA and yet I'm not a huge fan of Scorsese. despite the massive inspiration in PTA's work

[@tommygrnrgtamafia197]

it's more of a Robert Altman Influence with a mix of Scorsese and a tad of Johnathan Demme

[@vicator5]

Robert Altman's handling of large ensemble casts is the greatest parallel I can draw from PTA's work (not to say that this characteristic isn't important), but the fluid and fast camera work is very much an influence of Scorsese. Demme is not a director I'm very familiar with having only seen a few of his films but I'm aware that PTA has noted him as his A-number 1 influence. If you haven't, I'd recommend watching Altman's Nashville and Scorsese's Casino. The resemblance will pop right out at you.

[@matthalsey1346]

One the greatest films ever made

[@KK-pm7ud]

You learn more about the characters of the film in the first 7 minutes of the film than you do over two hours in many other films.

[@randywhite3947]

One day this film will be on the sight and sound top 100 poll

[@DirkDiggler12]

As it should.

[@FlickNchow]

Notice how the Camera MOVES VIOLENTLY until it gets to John C reilly´s part while he´s at his house getting his day started, there the camera becomes static and calm then as soon as he goes out to the ¨world¨ (to his police job) where his stresses and lonely, the camera starts moving Violently again! Genius man...

[@joe.b..]

This movie would be flawless with the worm plotline included it makes me irrationally upset it wasn't included. The movie is already 3 hours please add 15 minutes.

[@neilgodfrey2669]

The 10 minute sequence before this is more interesting

[@polany9455]

god i love this movie so much

[@themojowizzard9958]

Amazing song remake, amazing opening, wow such feelings this envokes can't even describe it, too many at once! brilliant!

[@-10]

What took me so long to finally see this? Fucking beautiful!

[@bezybez]

My all time best movie! Thanks PT Anderson.

[@echolot]

Rest in peace Philip Baker Hall

[@ElTuco84]

One of the most powerful cinematic experiences I ever had. Not Avatars and Transformers can match the power of this film.

[@hennek3826]

“And we move through this life, we should try and do good” The angle changes to show that he’s not talking to a partner but himself. “Do good… *sigh* And if we can do that… and not hurt anyone else… well… then”. I love this scene so much. The way he says “do good”, like tired. And the way it ends as if do good and then… nothing. It won’t matter. Just do good.

[@twalsh06]

Well, you see, it's because one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do... but two can be as bad as one; it's the loneliest number since the number one.

[@jajantanimaciones]

One of the best introductions ever made in cinema

[@Peoplestariff]

Love this opening :)

[@greg3d4u]

"...just dripping to WET YOUR DOCK." brilliant!

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

“Master of the Muffin!”

[@drivingintothedesertuntilt3202]

no pussy has nine lives

[@helenamedeiros8601]

This opening scene💕 sometimes i think about it and come here to see, it hits different

[@kingbobombfan]

a MASTER of the muffin

[@filmfreak21]

Masterpiece.

[@williambyrne5513]

from this to Phantom Thread. He's DEFINETLY got subtler

[@soham.banerjee]

@FstSergeant8595 its called cocaine use

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

@GundamGames yeah he's lost his fastball. Granted he's still better than most filmmakers but he hasn't aged like a QT has aged even if his earlier films are better than QTs early films. Boogie nights and magnolia are better than pulp fiction as crazy as that is to say but then you get shit like inherent vice which is NOT a good movie. Idk what happened but to squander Joaquin Phoenix that way in a convoluted and odd story is a rare misfire and makes me concerned about licorice pizza or phantom thread both of which I haven't seen. Phantom thread looks boring but LP does look kinda good

[@mohammedashian8094]

@@TonyDanza4Lyfe inherent vice was a book that was published by an author who was already oddball try translating that to film

[@IbrahimHoldsForth]

3 hours of stylistic exuberance.

[@apostle6100]

PTA is unbelieveable

[@matthalsey1346]

I love John C Reilly in a serious role, he’s such a fantastic actor

[@milart12]

I agree. I wish he did some more serious roles as well. Not that I dislike his comedic roles.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

Amazing to think of some of the great films he was in, such his PTA collaborations and two Scorsese films, along with a heap of other dramas.

[@happytappyslappy]

1:29 Quagmire going giggidy giggidy giggidy!

[@Kaline3659]

hey this is the FBI and your under arrest

[@peterfrank3365]

Scorsese and Robert Altman influences all over. Paul Thomas Anderson admires them and it shows. He's not merely stealing.

[@mohammedashian8094]

I’d say this is more Altman than Scorsese boogie nights however is 100% Scorsese from camera work to editing to pacing to themes of not feeling connected with a biological family and finding love and care in a surrogate family and finding success for a short period of time then it goes to hell

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

John c Reilly is the most surprising part of this movie. Usually I see him and just think hey that's my buddy John! But in this you forget it's him

[@sandinogallese8221]

Holy friggin shit! At 5.17-5.22 in the video: 'If you are this person, please leave me a message at box No. 82. 8:2 Exodus, the biblical motif that appears in different parts of Magnolia!! It popped up again!! I keep finding it hidden in the unlikeliest of places in this phenomenonal, magnificent movie!! Never noticed it before in this scene. OMG!!! 😮😀🤔😁

[@tom_motta_]

Pure art.

[@heldinahtmlhell]

@theRADteepee He edited it himself, didn't he? Wrote, directed, edited, did the poster. Even ground the lenses used from his own bone.

[@michaelperrin7296]

Impeccable film

[@windycitytoast]

they should make a sandwich called the Phil Parma special... in honor of PSH. Great film!

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

Dude you ain’t joking. I hear that name and just get hungry lol

[@ryanterk8676]

Interesting...camera is moving for every character until it reaches Kurring, the only "sane" character in the movie

[@PedroOrdep-kv5vw]

What about Phil?

[@felipepintana]

I thinks it's because he's te first character in the story, and the quietly shot it's to establish him and the tone of the rest of the stories.

[@felipepintana]

Sorry for the bad english :c

[@sandothemando8924]

I just noticed that now even though I've seen this scene a million times! The music also slows down, it doesn't cut to his sequence as quickly as the others and it almost feels like it has separated from the other character introductions as its own entity. I think this is done to display his character as the voice of reason amidst the anarchic breakdown of all the other characters and their broken lives. I feel Philip Seymour Hoffman's character was also in a similar boat. They were both innocent, naive and childlike figures surrounded by people on the brink of destruction. Angels in this biblical tale.

[@amrrashour]

Best opening I've ever seen

[@christiancharles309]

Bill Macy is great in this just like in Shameless

[@alexokin6819]

Tay ima let u finish but magnolia had the BEST TITLE OPENING IN HISTORY

[@Mar-cb3ke]

Brilliant Movie

[@carthag]

that reilly intro.. a cop who knows that being a cop is bullshit but he doesnt know what else to do

[@sirocox5297]

Es tan dinámico, tan atrapante. Definitivamente de lo mejor que he visto esta película.

[@nihonbunka]

The music is also used in Venom 2.