Customer Reviews

Magnolia (Score to 1999 Film)

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The emotional complexities and stunning brilliance conveyed in the film Magnolia can be attributed to many sources. The largest being the cinematic genius of Paul Thomas Anderson. Second, the performances of perfection by the cast. Third, the haunting, beautiful and heartfelt music of Aimee Mann and Jon Brion. Mann's songs were the perfect companion to the characters and it is properly conveyed in the soundtrack released a few months ago. This c.d., showcasing the wonderful score by Jon Brion, envokes the compassion and beauty of the film like few musical scores have ever done. It's lack of a Best Original Score nomination is a complete mystery (much like the lack of a nomination Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress Best......well, thats another story entirely.) I suggest any fan of the film, or the admirer of musical scores, to purchase this soundtrack. The highlight for me, as it reminded me of the emotional denoumont of the film, is the track "So Now Then" (anyone who has payed attention to the film, like I have numerous times, knows where this name is derived from and what scene it accompanies.) This is a fine addition to my small Magnolia collection, as I am now awaiting the DVD release of this, the best film of '99. I also suggest you purchase, if you have not already, the other version of the soundtrack and the screenplay also. Read the words, listen to the music, a be thankful that musical and cinematic genius is not a reminant of the past.

I am a big fan of the movie and of Paul Thomas Anderson in general, but I must say it's Jon Brion's score, along with the constantly shifting, AVID-mad editing patterns, that really gives "Magnolia" its relentless drive. It's a must for anyone who utilizes dramatic movie soundtracks in their everyday existence as a method of self-amused alienation from life's more regrettable periods of senseless boredom. Are you one of those tortured souls who play Bernard Herrmann scores while cleaning house just to keep things interesting? This is the soundtrack for you. My advice: play the first two tracks while driving around your neighborhood doing simple errands: you will feel the same sense of dramatic purpose that Moses must have felt walking up Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. And an otherwise mundane trip to the bank or dry cleaners to the accompaniment of "Stanley/Frank/Linda's Breakdown" allows for the same overwhelming sensation of irreversible forward momentum and epic human tragedy as experienced at the fall of Troy. Enjoy!

The Aimee Mann-focused soundtrack of "Magnolia" expressed and echoed the key lyrical themes themes that run through P.T. Anderson's wonderful film. Now, Jon Brion's "Original Score"--when listened to in isolation--reveals how his symphonic contribution dictated the pace and rhythmn of the climatic sequences of the film. Anderson apparently gave oxymoronic instructions to Brion--"Make it happy and sad." "Make it fast-paced and slow-paced." So, what does Brion do? Exactly that! Slow, stately pieces have a concurrent headlong rush to them. Melancholy, chamber music sequences evoke a sense of optimism. I've seen the film three times, and that's exactly how I've responded to each viewing: In the midst of betrayal, ruin, disappointment and death there emerges an astounding sense of rebirth and renewal, even triumph. Now that the film, the Mann soundtrack and the Brion soundtrack are all available, it's clear that "Magnolia" is one of Hollywood's most significant collaborations--and that doesn't even consider what was brought to the table by that astonishing company of actors. Even better, thanks to CD recorders, I created a 3rd soundtrack that alternates each Mann song with each Brion song, creating yet another way in which to enjoy this lovely and enduring masterwork.

There are numerous factors that made "Magnolia" such a brilliant movie. The score is not only an aspect of the movie that helped build and (often) release tension, but standing alone, this is a beautiful and powerful CD. The relentless progression of "A Little Library Music/Going to a Show" and "Showtime" is nothing short of brilliant. Even though the entire section lasts nearly twenty minutes, I could have listened to it, gladly, for hours. In "Jimmy's Breakdown", the listener can almost hear the consoling and comforting nature of the strings, as if they were telling Jimmy Gator himself that everything is going to be alright. The score's tension reaches its apex in "I've Got a Surprise for You Today" and "Stanley/Frank/Linda's Breakdown." As we imagine the character's breaking down, the music begins to breakdown with them. The tempo quickens in the later of the two sounding the characters' defiance against family strain and regret for what has happened in the past. "Chance of Rain" is nearly hypnotic. If you've seen the end of the film, you know how crucial the music leading up to it is. Finally, in "So Now Then" we are subject to P.T. Anderson's aftermath. Instead of being somber and meloncholy, the melody is bittersweet and optimistic. How this was overlooked by the Oscars baffles me. This music is so insanely charged with emotional depth and brilliance, yet, just like the movie, it is overlooked because it is different than everything else that is out there. This score and the score to American Beauty are the two only worthy scores put out this past year. If American Beauty doesn't win (both Picture and Score) something has gone wrong, my friends. Very wrong...

I'm not sure I can much more than the predictable "Wow!" I bought this score about a month ago and have not really removed it from my CD player since.

It's a shame that this score didn't receive an Academy Award Nomination, as it was the finest arrangement of original music put forth last year. I found it superior to Thomas Newman's "American Beauty"...sorry Thomas.

--Movieboy

The movie is Magnolia. The writer/director is pure genious Paul Thomas Anderson. And the composer for this feature is by a man whose career I hope will skyrocket. His name is Jon Brion...and I have got to say that he was completely robbed at Oscar time. The score is undeniably brilliant. Usually when film scores come out, they're right around the time when the movie is released...maybe a few weeks after. The soundtrack to Magnolia came out around this time. It featured all of the Aimee Mann songs from the film. The last track had the title theme from Jon. Don't get me wrong...I really like Aimee Mann's music in this movie but I was really wondering when this score was gonna come out. I saw this film at the Ritz in Philly when it was released December 1999 and as I watched this amazing film I was absorbed by the equally amazing score. It was beautiful. It was tragic. It was unforgettable. It was UNAVAILABLE. Now it finally is...and let me assure you: It was well worth the wait. As you listen to this score you will remember many scenes from the film. The collaboration between Brion and Anderson is strikingly original. The insert on the cd has a few words from Anderson that are of complete praise. I'd praise him, too. This cd will make you think about everyday life. I guarantee it. I mean in Track 1 "a little library music/going to a show" you can't help but feel like saying to yourself "This is probably what everyday life sounds like to a lot of people out there...including me." I should say that about a few other tracks on this album. I won't talk about every track but I have got to say something about Track 6 "stanley/frank/linda's breakdown". It's about eleven minutes long and it sure says a lot. I can't seem to describe it. It's slow and fast. Scary but romantic. That's what P.T.Anderson told Jon to make it sound like and he sure gave it to us. Zone out completely to this score. Don't have too many things going on. Listen to this and close your eyes if you can and just feel it. How alienated one can feel...how vulnerable one can feel...how alone one can feel. And don't worry you people who haven't seen the movie yet: There's optimism. God bless Jon Brion, indeed.

One of the things I loved about p.t.anderson's "magnolia" was the hypnotic score by Jon Brion, so it was with delight that I found I could obtain the score on CD. It does not disappoint. After years of 'score' albums that feature nothing but 2 minute cues, it is a treasure trove of real music. One can quite easily listen to this as a separate work, unlike many score CDs available. Standouts include the 20 minute unfolding of "a little library music... showtime" and the adagio of "i've got a surprise for you today". Highly recommended, and far more interesting than Aimee Mann's accompanying album.

John Brion creates a well done score in Magnolia. The opening title sets the main theme for the film with abuilding nature. "Showtime" continues the theme and throws in the orchestra. "Jimmy's Breakdown" is well done and more gripping. The remaining music is similar to the start of the CD. Overall, it is nothing amazing, but it works well with the film. Still worth a purchase.

This is a great score by the multi-talented Jon Brion. Brion's music really fits with Magnolia, as it should. The weakness of this attribute is that the score is better with the movie than without. The score is able to convey the many emotions of the movie, and overall I would recommend it.
I would recommend that if you like it go check out jonbrion dot com, and his album meaningless.

heartbeat of the film. Without it, many pivotal segments in Magnolia would have come across smaller and more distant. Jon Brion, in what was a pleasant introduction to me, did a remarkable job with his musical portions to the film. You can FEEL the emotion that was portrayed in the film. You can feel the deep pain, the joy, the raw insecurity. In that way, Brion does wonders with Magnolia.

Before Brion, I was an avid fan of Newman, Barry, Zimmer, Isham, Edelman and Horner. Now, after hearing the heaven meets hell music from Magnolia, Brion moves into my elite category of the beautifully creative musical genius.

'Jimmy's Breakdown' is heavenly and 'I've Got a Surprise For You Today' is well crafted and deliciously fun to listen to. They are both rugged with deep emotion and sentimentality. 'So Now Then', however, steals the show with its peppy, upbeat theme.

If you could combine The Thin Red Line(Zimmer) with Life As a House(Isham) and American Beauty(Neman), you might have Magnolia. If that sounds appetizing to you, PLEASE BUY THIS CD - or at least down load it! (LOL)