Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson (Screenplay)
Starring: Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Robards, Alfred Molina, Merlora Walters, Jeremy Blackman
Plot: 24 hours in LA, it’s raining cats and dogs. Two parallel and intercut stories dramatize men about to die, both are estranged from a grown child, both want to make contact and neither child wants anything to do with dad. Earl Partridge’s (Robards) son (Cruise) is a charismatic misogynist; Jimmy Gator’s (Hall) daughter Claudia (Merlora) is a cokehead and waif. A mild and caring nurse Phil (Hoffman) intercedes for Earl, reaching the son, a prayerful and upright cop Jim (O’Reilly) meets the daughter, is attracted to her and leads her towards a new calm. Meanwhile guilt consumes Earl’s young wife Linda (Moore) while two whiz kids one grown Donnie (Macy) and a loser and the other young Stanley (Blackman) pressured to face their situations. The weather too is quirky.
Verdict: A Masterpiece drama
Story: A brilliant look into the idea of two men’s last day on Earth who both live in regret and use the one last day to desperately find their long lost children for one last goodbye. Putting together all the stories works perfectly as they all intertwined to fit the overall story. The message of the story is clear and very meaningful, that should be understood by all. (10/10)
Actor Review: Julianna Moore – Linda the guilt ridden wife of Earl who thinks she has lived a lie in her marriage. Good performance as a lady who is on self-destruct. (9/10)
Actor Review: William H Macy – Donnie a former child show quiz winner who is harbouring a secret, while people take advantage of his former fame. Good performance from Macy as a supporting role that really takes notice. (9/10)
Actor Review: John C Reilly – Jim the friendly religious cop who falls for the daughter of the dying man, the lady is wrong for him as they live completely different lives. Great role from John who really shows his skills here. (9/10)
Actor Review: Tom Cruise – Frank the seduction expect haunted by his past while refusing to talk to his dying father. Good from Tom filling a role you wouldn’t expect to see him in. (9/10)
Actor Review: Philip Baker Hall – Jimmy the legendary quiz show host that is dying and wants to make up with his estranged daughter before he goes. Great performance as the man, who has to make up for mistakes before he goes. (10/10)
Actor Review: Philip Seymour Hoffman – Phil the kind nurse who spends his last shift trying to locate Frank for Earl. Good performance from Hoffman that is played out to be a small role but is a much loved performance. (9/10)
Actor Review: Jason Robards – Earl the bed stuck dying man whose one last wish is to see his son. Good performance to create a regret ridden dying man. (9/10)
Director Review: Paul Thomas Anderson – Great direction to create an absolute masterpiece in film. (10/10)
Drama: Brilliant drama throughout. (10/10)
Believability: People will be dying with regret every day, but the raining frogs loses the believability. (7/10)
Chances of Tears: Maybe a few. (2/10)
Settings: Each setting is brilliant and adds to the story. (9/10)
Suggestion: I think this is something worth watching, it maybe three hours long it is well worth that time. (Watch)
Best Part: Musical number with everybody looking on.
Worst Part: It may be too long for a casual viewer.
Oscar Chances: Nominated for 3 Oscars
Chances of Sequel: No
Tagline: Things fall down. People look up, and when it rains it pours.
Overall: A masterpiece
Rating