Being John Malkovich
There are few plastic film quite like Paul Thomas Anderson ’s psychological drama , Magnolia . Even after nearly two decades , it beam as a particularly unique pic that captivates its audience with its naked as a jaybird , emotional performances . Yet it also intrigue with themes that drift between the intellectual , the philosophic , and even the Biblical .
It stand out for its slew of weave narrative , all loosely tied together with an overarching game and numerous parallel throughout . Additionally , the celluloid strikes an aroused chord with some sombre themes cover with love , regret , forgiveness , and buyback . Though its many graphic symbol are ironically quite distinct - Anderson conveys a shared , often roiling journeying of the human spirit to find meaning .
It ’s no surprise that given the depth and mostly unique nature ofMagnolia , there are n’t many films like it . Yet , therearesome efforts that have a like core or stage of overlap , whether it ’s the mosaic narration structure or a likewise spectacular , philosophic motive .
Grand Canyon (1991)
This ' 91 drama from Lawrence Kasdan present a serial publication of random events affecting a group of distinct agonist . It largely centers around an immigration lawyer ( Kevin Kline ) , who befriends a towage truck number one wood ( Danny Glover ) after being make unnecessary by muggers . It shifts to a similarly aroused tale call for the machine driver ’s married woman and his best friend ( Steve Martin ) , a producer of vehement action cinema who embark on a personal journey .
This structure may seem similar toMagnolia , thoughGrand Canyon ’s themes favor separations and discord brought about by raceway and class . The photographic film similarly deals with the wave-particle duality of human nature - and how effective and unsound human action can bring about a ripple effect and dissemble the lives of those around them .
Night On Earth (1991)
This cheeky dramatic play by Jim Jarmusch revolves around a handful of sketch of vastly dissimilar characters , tied together by a unmarried evening and standardised taxicab setting . Not unlike Anderson ’s epic , Night on Earthemphasizesamusing dialogueand the day-to-day occurrence of its dynamic characters .
Though these rally occur in city spanning from Los Angeles to Rome , each narrative contain a similar common sense of drama and human struggle . It ’s an off - kelter , humourous examination of human nature , and an someone ’s struggle to get by in unremarkable city animation .
Network (1976)
Though this Sidney Lumet film hone in mainly on asinglestory , Networkcaptures the gist of Anderson ’s film when it comes to its motifs of redemption , salvation , and philosophy . In much the same way thatMagnoliaexamines mankind ’s darker side , this is a misanthropical , satiric commentaryon ratings - driven tidings .
It go around around an odd , bombastic anchor who launches into blah on TV after he watch he ’s being cancel . The flick ’s accent on philosophical preaching - tinged with a hint of optimism - can emphatically distinguish Anderson ’s work , just as it describesNetwork .
Being John Malkovich (1999)
This cerebral comedy , directed by Spike Jonze , by all odds stands out as a bizarre , psychological quality study . in the main speak , the photographic film share more similarities with trippy comedies likeGroundhog DayorThe Truman Showthan Anderson ’s plastic film .
Still , it does hold some parallels - generate its surreal nature , and unique narrative of downtrodden case seeking a better aliveness . It ’s just that inthiscase , that " good lifetime " comes in the form of John Malkovich . And whereMagnoliafavors rain anuran for its fantastic element , this one stresses portals into the mind of other beings .
Mullholand Drive (2001)
Speaking of flakey narratives , there are few that can touch thismemorable David Lynch filmwhen it comes to surrealism . LikeMagnolia , this neo - noir thriller has a fantastic dreamlike feel - which occasionally ramble towards an eerie nightmare for our troubled protagonist , play by Naomi Watts .
Mullholand Drivewas actually conceive as a unretentive television receiver series - and it tends to show with its complex , sprawling plot of over two hours . Lynch stay fresh viewers on edge and guessing with its warped surrealism , transfix suspense , and shocking patch twists . But juxtaposing this depth and trippiness is a fairly grounded character subject field of a downtrodden antihero seek peace .
Lost Highway (1997)
bide on the topic of David Lynch neo - noirs , ' 97’sLost Highwayis another film in which the manager vibrate from gripping suspense to obscurity .
It follows a musician played by Bill Pullman who recover tapes of him and his wife ( Patricia Arquette ) from a mysterious origin . thing only gyrate from there , as he ’s accused of her slaying presently thereafter . The film then shifts to a seemingly interlinked plot involving a grease monkey seduced by a femme fatale . Not unlikeMagnolia , Lynch offers much to question and ponder during this dramatic , humanitarian journeying .
21 Grams (2003)
This in darkness - tinged drama involves the intertwine story of various antiheroes - played convincingly by Sean Penn , Naomi Watts , and Benicio Del Toro . The backstories and hardships of these tumultuous fictitious character are shown in a non - linear manner , foreground their past , present , and future .
It chemise between the plot of a former convict - turned - Christian , a grief - stricken mother , and a critically - sick mathematician . As is the case withMagnolia , the flick ’s metier principally dwell in some emotional carrying into action and gripping writing , which stresses the run and tribulations of world .
Crash (2004)
BothMagnoliaand Paul Haggis’Crashdo a great Book of Job in portraying gripping plots by style of three - dimensional characters undergoing hardship . But while Anderson does this in a general sense , this film strain this tone through the lens of racial and societal tensions in the US .
In another parallel , the film shifts between a bit of figures , each of whom exemplify the clear-cut experiences of people of color and of various societal socio-economic class in LA . The statute title itself is substantial in terms of the tragedy - laden plotandserving as a metaphor for the large themes of conflict . Yet likeMagnolia , it ultimately highlights humanity ’s unified goal and similar traits that emerge despite our difference . Crashis an excited rollercoaster from start to finishing - and a socially significant one at that .
Boogie Nights (1997)
It ’d seem only raw that a list discussingMagnolia - esque picture should let in at leastoneentry from its own director . And this breakout hit sure enough warrant a top position - in terms of its unequaled storytelling , as well as its timbre , at great . The film highlight the rise and spill of a waiter’s assistant who becomes an grownup - movie sensation , setting the stage for mess of emotional drama .
With memorable operation by various stars ( some of which can be seen inMagnolia ) , along with its distinct sentiency of style , this period drama showcases the imaginative filmmaker at his good .
Short Cuts (1993)
This underrated muffin handicap most of the boxes when it comes to aMagnolia - comparable romp . There ’s the array of downtrodden leads - most of whom take part in weave plots throughout . There are the arch over narratives and root word of " getting by " amidst knotty conditions , whilst deal with death , unfaithfulness , and corruption . There ’s even the shared setting of L.A. , which furnish the background for the film ’s striking occurrence .
And of course , there ’s anothermemorable performanceby Julianne Moore , who makes up one of the many dynamic reference . Being establish on various light floor by Raymond Carver , each of these separate stories prove unique and in - astuteness . And in fact , Anderson is even on record book for beinginfluenced by this very film .
NEXT : Paul Thomas Anderson ’s Movies Ranked From Worst To Best , concord To Rotten Tomatoes
