WATCH PARTY: Magnolia (1999) dir. Paul Thomas Anderson @ Mary Pretlow Library

Was wrestling with what long movie to put in this slot, but felt like it makes sense to continue our Paul Thomas Anderson journey with his follow-up to Boogie Nights. Pretty stacked cast. This one was slightly before my time. We're in the big room to the right of the entrance, Meeting Room 1.

RUNTIME: 184 minutes

SYNOPSIS: On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

BLURBS:

"Magnolia is operatic in its ambition, a great, joyous leap into melodrama and coincidence, with ragged emotions, crimes and punishments, deathbed scenes, romantic dreams, generational turmoil and celestial intervention, all scored to insistent music." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"It seems impossible that Paul Thomas Anderson could follow up Boogie Nights with a movie as stirring and memorable. But just watch him. 'Magnolia' is overwhelming and easily one of the best films of the year." - Christy Lemire, Associated Press

"With Magnolia, Paul Thomas Anderson establishes himself as one of the most exciting and distinctive directors around." - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian